GREAT ALPS ROAD & PROVENCE (Self-guided)

ITINERARY

• Day 1

  Thonon-les-Bains:

  Arrival of participants and hotel check-in. Free time to visit Thonon and the shores of Lake Geneva, official starting point of the Route des Grandes Alpes.

• Day 2

  Thonon-les-Bains – Aime (217 km):

  Departure from kilometer 0 of the Route des Grandes Alpes. Crossing of the Aravis massif and ascent of the Col de la Colombière, the Col des Aravis, and the Col des Saisies. Passing through the Beaufortain valley, the Cormet de Roselend, and the Chartreuse du Reposoir, before reaching Aime.

• Day 3

  Aime – Briançon (205 km):

  Legendary day on the summits: Col de l’Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in Europe, and passage by the Tignes dam. Discovery of the Vanoise National Park and the listed village of Bonneval-sur-Arc. Ascent of the Télégraphe, Galibier, and Lautaret passes before arriving in Briançon, a fortified town.

• Day 4

  Briançon – Puget-Théniers (236 km):

  A grand day via the Col de la Bonette, the highest road in Europe. Crossing of the Queyras, the Château de Queyras, and the Col de Vars. Spectacular road through the Mercantour National Park and passage at the Châtelet Bridge. Arrival in Puget-Théniers.

• Day 5

  Puget-Théniers – Menton (172 km):

  Magnificent Cians and Daluis gorges, then descent toward the Mediterranean. Discovery of the Col de la Madone de Gorbio, and the listed villages of Peille and Sainte-Agnès. Arrival in Menton, between mountains and sea, for the official end of the Route des Grandes Alpes.

• Day 6

  Menton – Verdon Gorges (216 km):

  Heading toward the Var hinterland: listed village of Biot, Lake Saint-Cassien, and the Corniche d’Or road of the Estérel. Ride north through the Haut Var region to Lake Sainte-Croix, gateway to the Verdon Gorges.

• Day 7

  Verdon Gorges (140 km):

  Panoramic loop around the Verdon: south bank, Mescla viewpoint, Route des Crêtes, listed village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and Bargème. A day 100% dedicated to landscapes and curves.

• Day 8

  Verdon – Propriac (234 km):

  Ascent through the Opédette and Nesque gorges.
  Passing through the Colorado of Rustrel, Simiane-la-Rotonde, and Banon. Ascent of Mont Ventoux, then crossing of the Luberon and the Valensole plateau. Overnight near Vaison-la-Romaine, in the heart of Provence.

• Day 9

  Propriac – Vercors (225 km):

  Route between Provence and the Northern Alps: the Provençal Baronnies, the listed village of Montbrun-les-Bains, the Toulourenc gorges, and the Col du Rousset. Entry onto the Vercors plateau, a land of contrasts and history.
  Stop at the village of Aulan.

• Day 10

  Vercors – Thonon-les-Bains (292 km):

  Final day of riding through the Chartreuse massif and the Bourne gorges. Passing through Pont-en-Royans, the Revard viewpoint, Lake Annecy, and the Combe Laval. Return to Thonon-les-Bains after crossing the Chablais.

• Day 11

  Thonon-les-Bains:

  End of the stay and departure of participants after breakfast.