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Cycling in the Alps: The 3 lakes… easy!

Price per person

From 1040€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Geneva, Annecy - France

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Departures

Fridays and Sundays from April to October. Other days for 4 people minimum

Capacity

Minimum 2 persons

Reference

Cyclo 23

Your stay

Cycling in the Alps… It’s easy!

We offer you an “easy” bike tour in the Alps! The bike trip you need! You love cycling and exploring new regions by bike. But you may think that the Alps are out of your reach, because – you think – of all those mountains to climb. You’re more of a leisure cyclist than a mountain climber. Then look no further than this bike tour of the Alps!

On this bike tour in the Alps, you’ll link the region’s three main lakes (Lac Léman, Lac du Bourget and Lac d’Annecy), following river trails or bike routes along the Rhône and Isère rivers. You’ll pass historic towns, breathtaking natural landscapes, lush meadows and valleys with views of picturesque peaks. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit, in case you can’t resist the call of the lake and thermal baths of Aix-les-Bains or Lac du Bourget. Your cycling itinerary is really easy to follow, with cycle paths everywhere. You can also take it easy in the charming Alpine towns.

Your bike tour of the Alps begins in Geneva, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants to delight your taste buds. You’ll discover the Fort de l’Ecluse, a fort founded by the Duke of Savoy. You’ll also head for Lac du Bourget, France’s largest and deepest glacial lake. You’ll climb up to Château de Montverran in Culoz, which was built on a rock in 1316. In the evening, you’ll head for the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, built under the Roman Empire. Pedal through the heart of Savoie to Chambéry, a city of art and history. Through the Savoy valley, you’ll see the village of Chignin, with the remains of the 8th-century Sarasin bastion and its 6 towers.

Your bike will take you through the charming wine-growing towns of Dardagny and Satigny. The vineyards are rich, producing both red and white wine, and the air is full of aromas! The cycling routes are perfect for taking your time and enjoying the region to the full. Indeed, because there are no cars… just you, your bike and nature!

This cycling trip in the Alps is a real opportunity to explore one of the world’s most legendary cycling destinations, crowned of course by the Tour de France! You can rent touring bikes, racing bikes or electric bikes!

You'll enjoy :

3 major mountain lakes! Lake Geneva, Lake Bourget and Lake Annecy
Discovering the Alps without major difficulties
Bicycle lanes in picture-postcard settings
A stopover in Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps
A charming night at the Château des Allues, a residence of character, park and vegetable garden

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Geneva

Once you’ve settled into your 3-star hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva, you’ll have plenty of time to discover this exceptional city, a blend of authenticity and the modern, multicultural world. Geneva, the culinary capital of Switzerland, with its many restaurants and brasseries, is sure to delight your palate!

Day 2 - Geneva to Seyssel

You’ll meet our local representative in the morning, who’ll explain the itinerary, pay for the bikes (if you’ve rented any!) and equip you for your stay.

Next, you’ll ride along the Rhône, the famous river that rises in Switzerland and continues its descent into France, covering over 800km straddling these two countries before flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll then return to the bed of the Fier river, which boasts an interesting natural diversity.

A must-see is Fort de l’Ecluse, built on a rock raised by the Duke of Savoy. It provides a natural entrance to the Rhône valley between the Vuache hills and the Jura mountains.

You’ll spend the night in Seyssel, a small “double town” straddling the Haute-Savoie and Ain départements, with the Rhône as its natural border.

Day 3 - Seyssel to Aix-les-Bains

The 14 peaks of the Bauges mountain range on one side, and Mont de la Charvaz and Col du Chat on the other, are the key points of today’s route. Splendid views! Steep cliffs rise magically from the water, and the mountains surround you in protective calm.

Lac du Bourget is the largest natural glacial lake in France. Along the lake, you’ll cycle to the town of Aix-les-Bains, famous for its baths dating back to the Roman Empire. Many Roman ruins can still be seen.

Day 4 - Aix-les-Bains to Ste-Hélène-sur-Isère

You’ll cycle through Chambéry, a city of Art and History in the heart of Savoie, set in a wide valley between the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. Chambéry lies at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, and its old town is one of the most remarkable in France.

On the way you’ll see the ruins of the 10th-century fortress of Château de Miolans, which dominates the wine-growing region of the Combe de Savoie valley, then the wine-growing village of Chignin, where you can observe the remains of the Sarasin fortress and its six 8th-century towers. The Isère river will guide you along the road to Grésy sur Isère, which has a large farming community. This village has been inhabited by man since Neolithic times.

Day 5 - Ste-Hélène-sur-Isère to Annecy

On your bike, you’ll find your way back to Albertville, located on the Arly River. Albertville hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics. The town also includes the medieval city of Conflans, with buildings dating back to the 14th century. On the way to Lac d’Annecy, the Beaufortin and Bauges massifs will dazzle you. Arriving at the southern tip of the lake, you’ll be impressed by its beauty; its stunning setting is presided over by the Aravis massif as a backdrop, and its road is famous for the hairpin bends and switchbacks used by the Tour de France. The town of Annecy nestles on the northern tip of Lake Annecy. Annecy offers a seductive atmosphere and a remarkable heritage.

Day 6 - Departure

After a relaxing breakfast, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Annecy to your heart’s content. And don’t hesitate to extend the pleasure by choosing to stay longer in Annecy, the little Venice of the Alps.

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €1040

Price includes

5 nights with breakfast (1 in 4* hotel, 4 in 3* hotel) (in double/twin room)
2 dinners (excluding drinks)
Road book
GPS unit with tracks or GPS application for smarphone
Luggage transfer at every stage
24/7 support
Appointment with our local representative

Supplements

Touring bike: €135
Electric bike: €235
Gravel bike: €165
Racing bike: €180

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike suited to the tour and the route (men’s and women’s models)

Velo Alpes and Viarhona

An electric bike suited to the course (men’s and unisex models)

VAE Alpes and Viarhona

A road bike

Velo de course Alpes et Viarhona

With equipment :

Bag 1

Repair kit

Anti-theft device

Headset

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 saddle bag (racing bike)
1 repair kit
1 helmet
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in the “superior” category

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: