France Cycling Trips: French & Italian Alps
- Tour Overview
- Lodging
- What's Included
- Trip FAQ
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Day by day
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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Tour Overview
Annecy, Chamonix, France | Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italy
Explore the dramatic landscapes of the Alps. Admire the gorgeous blue hues of Lake Annecy. Bike to iconic views of the storybook Savoy village of La Clusaz. Take in the glamour of breathtaking Chamonix on the foothills of Mont Blanc. Cross over to the Italian mountain village of Courmayeur. Relax in elegant properties on this exhilarating bicycle tour in the French and Italian Alps. Bienvenue en France – Sojourn Style!
Your journey begins in the Haute-Savoie town of Annecy, overlooking its namesake lake, Europe’s most pristine. Cycle along the lake’s shoreline towards its tallest mountain, La Tournette. Pedal up the switchbacks of the 2018 Stage 10 of the Tour de France from Bluffy to La Clusaz. Ride into the Rhone-Alps through the chic farming villages of Flumet and Megève. Explore the shops, brasseries, and century-old pathways of the ski resort village of Chamonix. Take an optional train trip up to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), the largest glacier in France. Cross the border and ride to Italy’s mountain town of Courmayeur in Aosta Valley. Explore this ” best all-round ski resort town of Italy” over lunch. Recharge in the alpine setting of Relais & Chateaux 5-star Hameau Albert 1er, your home at the base of Mont Blanc, and savor traditional French and Alpine cuisine, prepared by the region’s best chefs.
DAY BY DAY
France: French and Italian Alps
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Day
1Bienvenue to this French and Italian Alps cycling trip at pristine Lake Annecy and its picturesque namesake town otherwise known as “the little Venice of the Alps.” Ride along the west shore of France’s third-largest lake, renowned for being Europe’s cleanest. Tonight, join us for a welcome drink and dinner at the restaurant in the Imperial Hotel.
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2Set off on your exploration of the Alps’ glorious Haute-Savoie region. At 7,713 feet, La Tournette, the highest mountain around the lake, dominates the dramatic vistas during your ride.
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3Get ready for your bucket list ride today. Pedal part of the 2018 Stage 10 of the Tour de France from Col de Bluffy offering gorgeous views of the Chateau de Menthon - Saint Bernard. Our route takes us deeper into the mountains through small villages into Thônes, the capital of Reblochon cheese. Relax at a luxurious Alpine Chalet on the foothills of the Aravis mountains.
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4This morning, ride through the chic farming villages of Flumet and Megève. Break for a picnic lunch in the storybook town of Megève. Your home for the next two nights is at the Relais & Chateaux 5-star Hameau Albert 1er in the glamorous town of Chamonix on the ski slopes of Mont Blanc.
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5This morning we cross over to the Italian side of Mont Blanc to the mountain town of Courmayeur in Aosta Valley. Explore this "best all-round ski resort town of Italy" over lunch. In the afternoon visit the Mer De Glace and explore the famous ice cave at your own pace. Tonight, we gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel’s mountain-style farmhouse restaurant.
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6After breakfast get ready for your final alpine ride — an out-and-back around Chamonix with ever-changing views of Les Grands Montets. Return to a delicious lunch before your departure to Geneva.
18Hameau Albert 1erB, L
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Hotel Imperial Palace
DLodging Information
Distinctive lodging, carefully selected to complement your tour.
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Imperial Palace, Annecy
The exceptional environment of the peninsula and its majestic "Belle Époque” façade make this hotel a stunning destination set amid Lake Annecy and the mountains. Ideally situated in the heart of the Alps in Upper Savoy, only 30 minutes from Geneva airport this is symbolic building for the people of Annecy and is located a few minutes away on foot from the city center (2 nights).
Lodging Website -
Hotel Beauregard, La Clusaz
This hotel is built in traditional Savoyard chalet style, located at the foot of the ski slopes, close to the village La Clusaz. Each room features a private balcony with incredible views over the resort of La Clusaz or over the Aravis mountain range. (1 Night)
Lodging Website -
Hameau Albert 1er (Relais & Châteaux 5 *), Chamonix
In the valley of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, the charming 5-star Hameau Albert 1er welcomes you in a prestigious setting in the heart of lush greenery. Luxurious, boutique-style rooms with fireplaces, family suites, cozy cottages, a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool with views of Mont-Blanc, a 2-star Michelin restaurant, a country restaurant, and conference facilities make for a fabulous stay. heart of the mountaineering capital. (2 Nights)
Lodging Website
| Dates & Prices | ||||
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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What's Included
- Support of experienced Sojourn leaders both of whom are French national and locals to the area.
- Full van support for a variety of route options
- Custom Sojourn jersey and water bottles – both yours to keep
- 5 nights at boutique and luxury accommodations
- All meals except for 1 lunch and 2 dinners.
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes. We will be using Giant or Specialized carbon fiber road / hybrid bikes on this trip
- Option of Electric Assist Bikes (E-Bikes) (Learn More)
- Daily route directions, maps, and a downloadable GPS Option
- 5% Past Traveler Discount to use on your next Sojourn Tour
| Dates & Prices | ||||
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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Fcts de la vie en france (Facts of Life in France)
- United States and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter France, Switzerland or Italy for tourism or business stays under ninety (90) days.
- As with any Sojourn trip, every single element of this trip was developed by the Sojourn crew and is not outsourced. The Sojourn commitment of impeccable service, world-renowned luxury hotels, carefully designed routes, custom fitted bikes, professional leader support and unwavering attention to details, stays firm.
- The trip starts in Annecy, France. Annecy is about an hour drive from Geneva International Airport (GVA). There are taxis, and shuttle buses that commute from GVA to Annecy.
- The trips ends in Chamonix, France. Unless you have other plans for your forward journey, we will shuttle you to Geneva International Airport (GVA) from Chamonix at the end of the trip.
- A lot of the gourmet restaurants where we dine offer specially prepared limited or fixed menus featuring regional cuisine. So selecting off the main menu might not be an option.
- It helps to know French in this region. Most locals either do not or prefer not to speak English. However, you will always be supported by your Sojourn leaders, who speak both French and English fluently. You can also choose to download Google Translate Offline App on your phone that will work even when you aren’t connected to the Internet.
- There will always be a van support during the trip. If at any point of your ride you need a break, we strongly recommend you take it. The vistas are simply too stunning to be missed especially during certain legs of the stage 10 route.
| Dates & Prices | ||||
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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Private Trips
Reserve one of our regularly scheduled trip dates for your private group and qualify for reduced pricing. The larger your group, the lower the per person price. Gather your friends and we’ll do the rest to provide your group with a truly personalized and memorable vacation. Smaller groups can join published trips and receive reduced pricing on trips that aren’t reserved as private trip dates.
For groups of 16-18 people traveling together on a published tour date, a 10% discount on the double occupancy trip price will apply.
For groups of 12-15 people traveling together on a published tour date, a discount of 8% on the double occupancy trip price will apply.
For groups of 8-11 people traveling together on a published date, a discount of 6% on the double occupancy trip price will apply.
Group discounts may not be combined with other offers.
| Dates & Prices | ||||
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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| Dates & Prices | ||||
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| Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021 |
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