Cycle Geneva to Nice Tour de France 2024

On arrival in Geneva, check in and make time to assemble your bike, and ensure everything is ready. Spend any free time exploring the streets of this cosmopolitan city, or head for the lovely lakeside gardens and famous fountain. You meet in the evening for dinner and a trip briefing before a good night’s rest in preparation for tomorrow’s efforts.

(Lunch not included)

Heading south out of Geneva, a gentle climb on quiet back-roads takes you out of Switzerland into France. Beautiful views of the Alps accompany you almost the entire time today – a very inspiring start! You ride south to the beautiful town of Annecy, a lakeside jewel nestled among mountain peaks. You cycle alongside the shores of crystal-clear Lake Annecy for a few miles before continuing south on an undulating road through the forests and quiet villages of the Massif des Bauges. A steady, gradual ascent through lovely scenery takes you to the Col du Frene – at 950m, not a high mountain pass, and not a steep climb, but nevertheless the first trip encounter of hair-pin bends!

You will then descend via more sweeping bends to Montmélian, a town on the Isère river,

Cycle approx. 115km (72 miles)

Your day starts in the Isère valley, riding parallel to the river for some time before approaching the historic city of Grenoble. No stranger to the Tour de France, Grenoble has hosted the peloton over 40 times. Situated in a broad valley between mountains, the terrain is flat for many miles, though new views of the surrounding peaks continually open up to us. You climb a gently sloping hill to Roissard, pausing to appreciate the spectacular views of the twists and turns of the lovely Drac river, before continuing through the village of Mens. A stretch of more rolling road takes us to the shores of the Lac du Sautet; you then have a short climb up into the small town of Corps.

You continue your journey south through the southern Alps. Many of the roads we ride on today have featured regularly in the Tour de France over the years. Our morning’s ride takes us predominantly along the scenic, hilly Route Napoleon: look out for the flying-eagle road markers that commemorate the route. Striking out on back roads for a short while, we climb the relatively gentle gradient of the Col de Manse – at 1,268m our highest point of the challenge – before reaching the Alpine town of Gap. Continuing south on back-roads, the landscape around you gradually changes to thickly-forested limestone hills and sheer cliffs. Entering Provence, you reach the ancient, picturesque town of Sisteron, situated in beautiful scenery on the riverbank between towering mountain ridges. From here it becomes more evident that you are leaving the high mountains behind, as you ride east to the lovely old spa town of Digne-les-Baines.

Cycle approx. 144km (90 miles)

Today is a long day, and a hilly one. Setting off from Digne, your day starts on a quiet rolling road which warms you up nicely before the Col de Corobin (1,230m), which sees you pedalling uphill for nearly 10km. The well-earned descent is wonderful, and you’ll be glad to know it’s steeper than the side you ascend! Rejoining the Route Napoleon, you tackle several more testing climbs and descents as the road winds through stunning hilly scenery, passing the lovely town of Castellane on the river Verdon on route. You then head east on very quiet back roads through small villages as you reacch the medieval hilltop town of Gréolières. Your descent will then take you through the stunning Gorge de Loup, before reaching sea level. The final section takes you along a flat cycle path as you finish the incredible challenge celebrating beside the Mediterranean Sea.

Cycle approx 140km (88 miles)

Free time to spend as you wish. The last two stages of the Tour de France both start in Nice, so you are spoilt for choice! It’s an easy cycle into central Nice, or a short train ride. You can also make the most of the stunning location to relax on the beach, wander the Promenade, or explore the city.

{Lunch and dinners not included)

After breakfast, free until it’s time to head to the airport (depending on your own flight arrangements).

(Lunch not included)