Welcome to the French – Swiss Alps Tour
We’ve designed our sample itinerary for our French – Swiss Alps Tour, to give you inspiration, ideas and suggestions of what’s possible for Bespoke/Custom or Self-guided Tours in Europe. The sample itinerary listed below is a combination of various tours we’ve hosted for groups over the years.
Whether you’d like your Bespoke trip to take in parts of Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany or Switzerland, just to name a few, we’ve got you covered.
We can design your dream cycling holiday with specialist non-cycling programs included as well, all you need to do is have five or more of your riding and or non-riding buddies sign up, we’ll take care of the rest.
We’ll use all of our experience to design the perfect itinerary for on and off the bike to suit your needs, we can provide as much or as little cycling as you need, plus if you require vehicles, drivers, rider support vehicles, non-cycling program, ride routes, hotels, cycling guides, restaurants and just about anything you can imagine to make your dream trip come true. [read on for Alps | Switzerland | France Tour]
Sample Itinerary: Arrive into Lyon or Grenoble France.
First up we ride the local Alps foothills and explore our local region. We’ll take a walk around and explore the gorgeously preserved old town of Grenoble. You’ll instantly warm to the pure mountain air, incredibly clean freshwater, the thermal spa’s are an ideal way to relax into the journey ahead.
The spectacular Alps form a natural border between Switzerland, France and parts of Italy. We’ll ride the legendary Cols of Glandon/ Croix de Fer, Telegraph/Galibier, Alpe d’Huez and many more of the climbs and cycling routes made famous by the Tour de France.
Once into Switzerland, we’ll experience the Swiss way of life and visit many beautiful and remote Alpine area’s. Did we mention en route we’ll sample the finest French and Swiss cuisine.
Tour Highlights
French and Swiss Alps Tour
French Alps including yet not limited to Alpe d’Huez, Col du Glandon/ Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraph/Galibier, Lacettes du Montvernier
Swiss Alps including Rhone river ride, visit UCI cycling center, Gotthard Pass, Furka Pass, The Matterhorn, Interlaken and Lucern
Our Tour – Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Airport pick up: 8am Lyon
Trip start: 9.30am Grenoble Area Hotel. Assemble bikes
Ride: 11am. 50km Local Loop
Non-Cycling: Morning – Explore the local area or prepare for the trip ahead. Afternoon, scenic drive to explore the foothills of the Alps or visit the local Thermal baths/spa.
Overnight: Grenoble Area, French Alps
Meals: Welcome Dinner and drinks
Day 2
Ride: Alpe D’Huez – Col du Sarenne Loop plus secret balcony roads loop 80Km-2000m climbing, optional return ride to hotel add 40km. Ride options include 35km-120km rides.
Non Cycling: Explore the region and fabulous landscapes of Alpe D’Huez and it’s villages. Optional active programs can include walking/ running trails, or join the group on a scenic Alpine drive.
Overnight: French Alps
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 3
Ride: Col d Croix du Fur – Glandon, St Jean du Marienne. 30km/70km/80km/100km
Additional Ride Options: Catch the van up to Col du Glandon following our ride route – ride Glandon to Croix du Fer 5km descend 25km to St J d Maurienne: 30km
Non Cycling: Scenic drive high into the French Alps, pause for scenic photo stops on Col du Glandon and Croix du Fer visit the lovely village of St John de Maurienne.
Overnight: French Alps
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 4
Ride: Col du Telegraph – Galibier – Col du Lautaret – Briancon 40km/80km/2500m climbing or 40km 1500m descent.
Non Cycling: Scenic drive and visit the villages of Valloire and Briancon, enroute stop off on the scenic Col’s du Telegraph and Galibier. Bring your camera for the stunning mountain landscape photos.
Overnight: French Alps
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 5
Ride: French – Swiss Transfer day. Lacettes du Montvernier, Col de la Madeleine. 30km – 70km /2000m
Non Cycling: Explore local villages, take an Alpine drive over some of the finest landscapes in the French Alps.
Afternoon Transfer: Take a scenic transfer from France into Switzerland to our new base in the Swiss Alps. 2.5 hours
Overnight: Swiss Alps.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 6
Ride: Active recovery day, Rhone river ride, Lake Geneva. 45km/200m. Optional Climb back to our hotel 15km
Non Cycling: Explore our new Swiss Village, visit Rhone River, UCI cycling center, Lake Geneva
Overnight: Swiss Alps, Valais
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 7
Ride: Nufenen and Gottard Passes to hotel. 35km-70km /2000m
Non Cycling: Beautiful scenic drive through the remote Swiss Alps to our new Alpine hotel
Overnight: Swiss Alps
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 8
Ride: Susten Pass Loop. Options range from 35km-120km /3800m
Non Cycling: Explore our local mountain village, take a scenic alpine drive to visit some of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes.
Overnight: Swiss Alps
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 9
Ride: Scheidegg Loop to Lake Interlaken. 35-80km / 1650m
Non Cycling: Visit the villages/towns of Grindelwald & Lake Interlaken. Take in the vistas of the Eiger mountain
Overnight: Swiss Lakes
Meals: Breakfast, final dinner and drinks
Day 10 – Departure Day
Ride: Morning lake – recovery ride 30km
Non Cycling: Relax over our farewell breakfast, explore our local village/ town, prepare for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast.
End of Tour. Includes transfers to Zurich airport.
We are looking forward to welcoming you on your French – Swiss Alps Tour.
Ciao the team from Ride International
