 The Route des Grandes Alpes (Great Alpine Road) is a 658km long route trough the French Alps. This alpine road trip takes you from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean and includes some of the highest and most beautiful mountain passes in Europe.
History:
The construction of the route started in 1909 by order of the French Touring Club. In that period, the Alps still were an isolated region of France with poor access possibilities. The construction of the route was not only an opening to the outside world for the mountain people, but also an opportunity for the upcoming tourism to discover this area with great cultural and natural heritage. The construction was finished in 1937, with the opening of the Col de l’Iseran. The official road number is D902.
With the opening of the French motorways, the route has lost most of its importance as a traffic connection from north to south, making the Route des Grandes Alpes a spectacular road trip route. To make things even more attractive, some adjustments were made in 1995 to replace the traffic heavy valley of Chamonix with the Col de la Colombière and the Col de Aravis.
The Stages:
Menton to Auron (131.4km)
Auron to Vars (83.6km)
Vars to Valloire (115.3km)
Valloire to Val d’Isere (105.3km)
Val d’Isere to Col des Saisies (88.4km)
Col des Saisies to Thonon-les-Bains (133km)
Itinerary:
Monday 5th August:
Arrange your own flight to Nice:
On arrival you will be met by our representatives, and at 14:00hrs and 19:00hrs we will operate coach transfers for the short distance to our hotel in Menton. After the evening meal there will be a welcome meeting which will explain in detail about the tour and you will also have the opportunity to meet your fellow riders and reps.
Tuesday 6th August:
Menton to Auron (131.4km) Click to view the Route
We will head north towards Sospel.
 Sospel itself dates back to the 5th century, when it served as an important staging post on the royal road from Nice to Turin. The toll bridge used by travelers to cross the river, built in the 13th century, still stands. There are also remnants of the 14th century city walls. According to a tourist website, the town is “popular with cyclists.
We keep following the road to Sospel passing castillon, where we can see the Viaduct du Caramel, an old tramway viaduct.
After leaving the town of Sospel we shall be heading towards the Col de Turini, your first mountain pass.
 Col de Turini 1607M. It is famous for a stage of the Monte Carlo Rally which is held on the tight road with its many hairpin turns. Until a few years ago, the Turini was also driven at night, with thousands of fans watching the "Night of the Long Knives" as it was called, due to the strong high beam lights of the rally cars cutting through the night. The pass was also featured in Top Gear when the presenters went in search of the greatest driving road in the world.
On the ascent of the Col de Turini we will pass by the chapel of Notre Dame de la Nemours with its distinctive access path.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The Col De Turini has also featured three times in the Tour de France (1948, 1950 and 1975) averaging 7.2% over 15.3km when approached from the East starting at the valley of the river Vésubie.
 On our way to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée. You will encounter some bunkers and casemates. These are the remnants of the French Maginot Line defense system. The Maginot Line was built between World War I and II to defend France against German or Italian invasions. Especially Ouvrage Rimplas.
The ouvrage consists of one entry block, two infantry blocks and three artillery blocks at an altitude of 986 meters. It also features an aerial tram entrance.
Located on a height to the southwest of Rimplas, the position was heavily fortified, with large expanses of wall armored with 20cm steel plate and other sections overlaid with stone masonry. The underground portion of the system covers three levels.
It was also the second village in France that was electrified (in 1893).
After leaving Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée we travel up Gorges de Valabres towards Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée following the river Tinée. We will turn out of the Gorge to the ski resort of Auron is located on the territory of the commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée.
Wednsday 7th August:
Auron to Vars (83.6km) Click to view the Route
 We start the day off with a nice descent to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée. We shall start the climb of the Col de la Bonette - Restefond 2715M Restefond 2802M Bonette loop.
From the south, the climb starts at Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée and is 26km long. With an average percentage of 6.4%. On the climb to the actual Col de la Bonette, there is one short section at over 10%, but on the loop around the Cime de la Bonette, the gradient reaches 15%.
On the ascent of the Col de Restefond 7km from the summit you will pass through the derelict village of Camp des Forches which was destroyed and the inhabitants slaughtered in the 2nd World War, it has been left as a monument.
On your descent of the Col De Restefond towards Jaspers you will pass Casernes de Restefond, an old military building.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The pass has featured in the Tour de France four times (1962, 1964, 1993 and 2008). In 1962 and 1964, the race was led over the summit in both years by Federico Bahamontes, approaching from the south in 1962 and from the north in 1964. Robert Millar led over the summit (from the north) in 1993. In 2008 John-Lee Augustyn led over the mountain, before falling on the descent to Jaspers.
 The passage over the Col de la Bonette is often mistakenly referred to as the Col de Restefond, and in the 2008 Tour de France the summit is referred to as the Cime de la Bonette-Restefond. Stage 16 of the tour approaches the summit from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (south-east), and after reaching the Col de la Bonette, takes a loop round the Cime de la Bonette reaching the summit of 2802 m, which is the highest point reached by the Tour de France
We shall continue up the valley following the Ubaye River in the Mercantour National Park for 13.5km.
After we leave the valley floor and start the ascent of Col de Vars for 14km 2108M.
After the summit we will have a 7.5km descent to the village of Vars Sainte-Marie.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The pass has been included in the Tour de France 33 times.
Thursday 8th August:
Vars to Valloire (115.3km) Click to view the Route
 We start the day off with the continued descent of Col de Vars. Before we reach the outskirts of Guillestre where we travel up the valley along side the river Guil. The river Guil has cut out a steep canyon over the years, resulting in a spectacular landscape.
After 20km we leave the canyon and start to climb the Col d’Izoard 2360M.
The southern climb from Guillestre is 15.9 km in length and has an average gradient of 6.9%.
When getting close to the summit 2360M, the landscape changes suddenly. Trees make place for the Casse Desert; this is an extremely rugged area which some describe as a lunar landscape.
Approximately 2km from the summit you will see the Coppi / Bartali memorial.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The Col d’Izoard was first used in the Tour de France in 1922.
The pass has been used 32 times on the Tour de France.
Several of the Tour de France's more memorable moments have occurred on the Col d'Izoard, particularly the exploits of Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali , Bernard Thevenet and Louison Bobet.
After the summit we will have a 20km descent into the town of Briançon.
Briançon has often hosted starts and finishes of stages of the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Dauphiné Libéré.
As Briançon has regularly featured as a stage town in the Tour de France, it is a popular base for cyclists. Since 1947, the town has seen the start of the Tour 22 times, and has also been a stage finish town 22 times.
In 2007, the town was the finish of the 159.5 km stage from Val-d'Isère crossing the Col de l'Iseran, the Col du Télégraphe and the Col du Galibier with a 37 km downhill finish to Briançon.
Briancon is located at the confluence of the valleys Durance , the Guisane and Cerveyrette on a glacial rock. At 1326M, is the highest town in France.
We leave Briançon and start the climb of the Col du Lauteret 2058M of 28km with an average 3.1%
This col was carved out by a glacier, this explains the easy gradient of the slopes by which it is attained. For this reason, the Col has long been used as a communication route between Grenoble and Briançon, and also for reaching Italy across the Alps.
At the summit of the Col du Lautaret the Col du Galibier 2645M starts here and is 8.5km long at an average of 6.9% with a height gain of 585M. The maximum gradient is 10.% towards the summit.
You will find a monument to Henry Desgrange the first director of the Tour de France, on the south side 1km from the summit. Every time the Tour de France climbs the Col du Galibier a wreath is laid on the memorial.
Appearances in Tour de France:
 The Col du Galibier was first used in the Tour de France in 1911. The first rider over the summit was Emile Georget, who, with Paul Duboc and Gustave Garrigou was the only riders not to walk.
The original summit was at 2556M. While the tunnel was closed from 1976 until 2002, the tour route went only over the pass closer to the mountain peak at 2645M. In 2011, the Tour de France went through the tunnel for the first time during the 19th stage from Modane Valfréjus to L'Alpe d'Huez.
Since 1947, the Col de Galibier has been crossed 31 times by the Tour de France. It was scheduled to be used in 1996, but was left out at the last minute due to bad weather. As a result of snow on the Col du Galibier.
The 2011 Tour climbed the Col du Galibier twice to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first appearance of the pass in the Tour de France, including the first ever summit finish, won by Andy Schleck after a 60km solo breakaway. This was the highest ever stage finish in the Tour de France.
Friday 9th August:
Valloire to Val d’Isere (105.3km) Click to view the Route
 We start the day off with the ascent of the Col du Télégraphe 4.8km long at an average of 3.4% with a height gain of 165M
At the Col du Télégraphe we find another fort: the Fort du Télégraphe, also called Fort Berwick. Located at an altitude of 1,585M it previously accommodated a telegraph to send messages between France and Italy. This explains also the name of the col. The fort has two entrances with drawbridges. To allow access to different levels it has inclined ramps to allow easy movement of artillery pieces. It saw action in 1940 when it fired on the invading Italian forces with its 155mm guns.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The Col du Télégraphe was first used in the Tour de France in 1911; the first rider over the summit was Emile Georget.
Since 1947, the Col du Télégraphe has been crossed 29 times by the Tour de France. On several of those occasions it has not been ranked for points in the King of the Mountains competition, being treated as part of the descent from the Col du Galibier, and has been ranked for points only 18 times.
We shall descend off the Télégraphe where we shall cross the Arc River into the town of Saint-Michel de Maurienne, where we shall ride up the valley passing through Modane which was the Etape du Tour Act I in 2011 from Modane to Alpe d'Huez. After passing the town of Lanslebourg we carry on up the valley to the beautiful village of Bonneval-sur-Arc. The authenticity of the place is a wonderful example of what life was and what life in the Alps. Traditional architecture, urban planning and the layout of the town are rare witnesses of the traditional alpine lifestyle.
Bonneval-sur-Arc is also the highest commune in France, considering the average height, which is 2713M. The village itself is situated at an altitude of 1850M.
After the village of Bonneval-sur-Arc we start the climb of Col de l’Iseran. With its 2770M it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. It connects the valleys of the Isère River and the Arc River between Val-d'Isère in the north and Bonneval-sur-Arc in the south.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The Col d'Iseran was first used in the Tour de France in 1938.
The following year, in the 1939 tour, the first Mountain Time trial was introduced to the tour, over the Col d'Iseran from Bonneval-sur-Arc to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Since 1947 the pass has been used four times on the Tour de France. It was scheduled to be used in 1996, but was left out at the last minute due to bad weather. As a result of snow on the Col de l'Iseran
Val d’Isere saw the start of a stage of the 2007 Tour de France.
After the summit we shall have a decent of 15km to Val d’Isere.
Human habitation of the valley dates back to before Roman times. The town received parish rights in 1637 and the parish church, which is still a landmark in the town centre, was built in 1664.
Skiing in Val d'Isère has its roots in the 1930s when a drag lift was built on the slopes of the Solaise. This was followed by an aerial tramway (cable car).
Saturday 10th August:
Val d’Isere to Col des Saisies (88.4km) Click to view the Route
We shall start the day off with a descent of 31km to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
As we descend Col de l’Iseran to Bourg-Saint-Maurice we will see the Lake Chervril (Tignes reservoir). After the Second World War, France needed electricity and it was decided to build a hydro-electric dam in this valley. Whilst this was a great achievement for French engineering and was for the greater good of France, it meant that the old village of Tignes would be drowned. The dam was completed and the village was submerged in 1952. Once every 10 years the lake is drained for maintenance work and the remains of the old village becomes visible.
During the descent you will be driving through a number of galleries and tunnels it is a good idea to have some lights.
After leaving Bourg-Saint-Maurice, we start the ascent of the Cormet de Roseland 1967M. It’s a long 20km climb with an average gradient of 6% with the steepest sections at 8.9%.
Just after the summit you will see the Roselend Reservoir. Measuring 800M long and 150M high, it can contain up to 185 million cubic meters of water.
After the summit we shall have a 20km descent to Beaufort. After the town of Beaufort we have a 3km ride along the valley floor before we start climbing the Col des Saisies 1657M.
The climb is 15km in length and has an average gradient of 6.4%.
Appearances in Tour de France:
The pass was first included in the Tour de France in 1979 and has featured 9 times since, most recently in stage 17 of the 2009 Tour de France.
Sunday 11th August:
Col des Saisies to Thonon-les-Bains (133km) Click to view the Route
 Notre Dame de Bellecombe is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
We descend into Notre Dame de Bellecombe and contue the descent into the town of Flumet, where we start the climb of the Col des Aravis 1486M. On the highest point of this mountain pass, there is a little chapel devoted to Saint-Anne for the protection of the travelers passing by.
We shall descend in to the village of Saint-Jean-de-SIXT an authentic alpine village with lots of little farms. After passing through the road starts to climb again. Heading to the town of Le Grand Bornand, a ski resort who owes its name to the river which runs through it. Where we start the Col de la Colombière 1613M
The climb is 11.7km in length and has an average gradient of 5.9%.
As we go higher, the trees start to make place for rock formations and alpine meadows.
Appearances in Tour de France:
 The pass was first included in the Tour de France in 1960 and has since featured 20 times, most recently in 2010.
After the descent of the Col de la Colombière in to the city of Cluses. We shall travel up the valley arriving in Morzine, the most northerly of the French Alpine resorts. This charming town is dominated by chalets spread across a river gorge.
After Morzine we will travel up the canyon, after 10KM we pass the Aulps Abbey which is a former Cistercian monastery located at an altitude of 810M.
This was a major Cistercian monastery site in the Haute Savoie region for almost seven hundred years, from its foundation in the 1090s to its suppression in 1793. The church was partially destroyed in 1823 by locals for its stones, but the beautiful façade remains standing. In addition to the majestic ruins of the abbey, classified as a historic monument in 1902, the three-hectare estate includes also some farm buildings, cellars, a gatehouse and a medicinal garden.
This very deep canyon has been cut out by the Drasne River and provides some spectacular views. After another 10km we reach the Gorges du Pont-du-Diable (Devil’s bridge canyon).
The winding roads through the Vallée Verte (French for green valley). Rock formations, green bushes and trees provide some shadow against the hot sun. We continue up the Vallée Verte to Thonon-les-Bains, a small town at the shore of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is one of the largest bodies of water in Western-Europe, and with its length of 95km it greatly exceeds in size all others alpine lakes. The lake has a depth of 310M, which makes the bottom of the lake only 62M higher than sea level. To the South, we can see already the snowy peaks of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of the Alps. We then take the route from Thonon les Bains and head for Morzine.
Lake Geneva, formed by a retreating glacier, has a crescent shape that narrows around Yvoire on the southern shore. It can thus be divided figuratively into the "Grand Lac" (Large Lake) to the east and the "Petit Lac" (Small Lake) to the west.
Monday 12th August:
Short transfer from the hotel to Geneva airport for your return flight.
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