Lakes of the French Alps

Two levels of hotel accommodations are available and the overnights and itinerary vary slightly between the two.

Option A+

(2, 3, & 4 * establishments)

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva 
Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel, 39 mi. (63 km)
Day 3: Seyssel - Aix-les-Bains, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 4: Aix-les-Bains - Coise-Saint-Jean-Pied-Gauthier, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Coise-Saint-Jean-Pied-Gauthier - Annecy, 46 mi. (74 km)
Day 6: Departure from Annecy

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva or Gaillard
Arrive in Geneva at your leisure and check in to your hotel by the lake. Take time to discover this stylish city on your own. It’s a gem of international organizations, finance, and culture, meshing Old World with New, and is a delight to explore. The crescent-shaped Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) provides a marvelous treat for your eyes. Since Geneva is the culinary capital of Switzerland, you’ll find a variety of restaurants and eateries sure to please every palate.

Accommodation: Hotel Jade, 3 star

Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel, 39 mi. (63 km)
Today you will meet the local representative for a bike fitting and itinerary briefing. The highlights of your route include cycling along the infamous Rhône River and admiring the views over the charming wine-making villages of Dardagny and Satigny. Conquer the westernmost point of Switzerland by bike at the village of Chancy and then cross the border into France. Do not miss the Fort de l’Ecluse, an elevated fort founded by a Duke of Savoy. He built it out of a striking rock formation, one which forms a natural entrance of the Rhône Valley into France between the Vauche hills and the Jura. Your home for the night is in Seyssel, a small “double-town” in both the Haute-Savoie (Upper Savoy) and the Ain departments on the Rhône River located between two dams.

Total climb: 2,330 ft (710 m)
Total descent: 2755 ft (840 m)

Accommodation: Hotel Beau Séjour , 2 star

Day 3: Seyssel - Aix-les-Bains, 29 miles (46 km)
The views on today’s ride — the 14 summits of the Bauges mountain range on one side, as well as Mont de la Charvaz and Col-du-Chat on the other — are some of the major highlights of this tour. Sheer cliffs seem to spring up magically from the water and the mountains surround you in protective peacefulness. Lake Bourget (Lac du Bourget) is the largest natural lake of glacial origin and the deepest entirely within France. It was home to the now-extinct Bezoule, a freshwater whitefish that fed at muddy depths of 70 to 80 meters (230 - 260 ft) and reportedly disappeared in the 1960s. Cycle past the impressive site of the medieval Château de Montverran in Culoz, which was built on a rock in 1316 and, in more recent times, inspired the likes of the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Pedal on to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, which was known for its baths as far back as the Roman Empire. You can discover the numerous Roman ruins that remain. 
 

Total climb: 1,410 ft (430 m)
Total descent: 1,445 ft (440 m)

Accommodation: Hotel Aquakub, 3 star

Day 4: Aix-les-Bains - Coise-Saint-Jean-Pied-Gauthier, 33 mi. (53 km)
Today you’ll pedal through the heart of Savoy to Chambery, a town of art and history. Located in a wide valley between the Bauges and Chartreuse Mountain ranges, at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, the old-town section of Chambery is one of the most remarkable in France. Along the way, take in the ruins of the 10th century fortress, Chateau de Miolans, which overlook the rich wine-growing region of the Combe de Savoie valley (including the village of Chignin, with remains of the 8th century Sarasin stronghold and its 6 towers). The Isère River guides the route to Grésy-sur-Isère, a largely agricultural community that has been inhabited by man since the Neolithic Age.
 

Total climb: 2230 ft (680 m)
Total descent: 1,150 ft (350 m)

Accommodation: Château de la Tour du Puits

Day 5: Coise-Saint-Jean-Pied-Gauthier - Annecy, 46 mi. (74 km)
Roll your way to Grésy-sur-Isère by way of Albertville, situated on the Arly River close to the confluence with the Isere River. Albertville hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics and has become quite an industrial center, but it also encompasses the medieval town of Conflans, whose buildings date back to the 14th century. The Beaufortain and Bauges Mountain ranges will dazzle you as you cycle to the stunning Lake Annecy (Lac d’Annecy). Known as Europe’s cleanest lake, the Aravis mountain range reigns over the lake edge; its heights are famous for the hairpin turns and steep bends in the Tour de France. The magnificent town of Annecy, nestled on the northern tip of Lake Annecy, might remind you of Venice — canals cut through sections of the historic Alpine-style village. Strolling around, you’ll encounter the Palais de l’Isle (12th Century prison on an island, the town’s symbol), the Chateau d’Annecy, the 16th-century Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, and the 20th-century Pont des Amour (Lover’s Bridge) made of iron.

Total climb: 1575 ft (480 m)
Total descent: 1310 ft (400 m)

Accommodation: Splendid Hotel, 4 star

Day 6: Departure from Annecy
Departure after breakfast or extend your stay in Annecy!

Option A

(2, 3, & one 4  * establishment)

Day 1: Arrival in Gaillard (7 km from the center of Geneva)

Accommodation: Hotel Porte de Genève, 3 star

Day 2: Gaillard - Seyssel, 43 mi. (70 km)
Total climb: 2430 ft (740 m)

Accommodation: Hotel Beau Séjour, 2 star

Day 3: Seyssel - Aix-les-Bains, 29 mi. (46 km)
Total climb: 1410 (430 m)

Accommodation: Hotel le Colibri, 2 star

Day 4: Aix-les-Bains - Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isére, 41 mi. (66 km)
Total climb: 2230 ft (680 m) 

Accommodation: Hotel le Sainte - Hélène

Day 5: Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isére - Annecy, 35 mi. (56 km)
Total climb: 960 ft (290 m)

Accommodation: Hotel des Alpes, 4 star

Day 6: Departure

Be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe (and beyond)  or look at our featured trips, specials, & news.

You will have your choice regarding the level of accommodation. Option A+ is 2, 3, & 4 and Option A is 2, 3, and one 4* establishment. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. You final hotel list will be based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be accommodated in an establishment of equal standard.

Bicycles

Hybrid Bike

Trek FX2 or similar

• Frame: Aluminum
• Front Derailleur: Shimano M191
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus
• Brakes: Tektro, linear pull
• Tires: Giant S-X3, 700x32, puncture protect
• Cassette: SRAM PG-830 11x32, 8-speed
• Crankset: SHIMANO Acera - 48/38/28
• Seat: Giant Connect Upright
• Weight: 12,50 kg

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Pumo
• Rear Rack
• Water Bottle cage
• Water bottle
• Repair Kit
• Multi-tool
• Spare Tube
• 12L Saddle Bag (Optional)

ATTN: Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour

Electric Bike

Available Model: Cube Hybrid Pro 500WH

Frame: Aluminium Superlite, Comfort Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6000-GS, 10-Speed Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200, Hydr. Disc Brake Wheels: CUBE ZX20, 36H, Disc, 28” Tires : Schwalbe Smart Sam, Active, 44x622, Cassette: Shimano Deore CS-HG500, 11-42T

Crankset: FSA Metropolis Urban AL-8, 15T, 175mm Seat: CUBE Active 1.1 Battery: Bosch PowerPack 500Wh Engine: Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX Generation 4 (75Nm) Cruise (250Watt), 36V Weight: 21,4 kg

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Pumo
• Rear Rack
• Water Bottle cage
• Water bottle
• Repair Kit
• Multi-tool
• Spare Tube
• 12L Saddle Bag (Optional)

ATTN: Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour.

Carbon Road Bike

Willier GTR Team (or similar)

Frame: Carbon Monocoque Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800 Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800 Brakes: Shimano BR-R561 Tires: Vittoria Zaffiro Wheels: Shimano RS10

Cassette: Crankset: Shimano Ultegra 6800 Seat: Bontrager Montrose Comp

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Pumo
• Water Bottle cage
• Water bottle
• Repair Kit
• Multi-tool
• Spare Tube

ATTN: Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour

Gravel Bike

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 (or similar)

• Frame: 300 Series Alpha Aluminum • Fork: Checkpoint carbon ​​​​​​ • Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX400 • Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX400 • Brakes: Shimano GRX hydraulic disc • Tires: Bontrager GR1 Comp, 700x40C • Wheels: Bontrager alloy

•Cassette: Shimano Tiagra HG500, 11-34-10 speed •Crankset: Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30 • Seatpost: Bontrager Comp, 27.2mm • Seat: Bontrager Montrose Comp

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Pumo
• Rear Rack
• Water Bottle cage
• Water bottle
• Repair Kit
• Multi-tool
• Spare Tube
• 12L Saddle Bag (Optional)

ATTN: Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour.