2026 Epic French and Italian Alps Tour

Welcome to the Alps, and to Annecy, a town so stunning it’s often called the Venice of the Alps. Your adventure begins as your guides greet you at Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport at 10am. After introductions and bike setup, we roll out for a perfect prologue ride: a smooth spin along the turquoise shores of Lake Annecy. Surrounded by towering ridgelines and dotted with lakeside villages, it’s the ideal way to ease the legs into gear while soaking in one of France’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Off the bike, Annecy is pure charm. The medieval old town is a maze of canals, bridges, and pastel-coloured houses, with a vibrant energy that reflects its cycling heritage — many pros call this region home for its training terrain. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner to enjoy Savoyard specialities, raise a glass, and fuel the excitement for the legendary climbs ahead.

Today we dive straight into the rhythm of the Alps with two climbs that have earned their place in Tour de France legend.

We begin with the Col de la Forclaz, rising gracefully above Lake Annecy. The ascent is steady but rewarding, and from the summit, the view is pure postcard perfection, turquoise waters shimmering beneath jagged alpine peaks. It’s no wonder this climb has been a favourite training ground for pros.

Next, the day’s challenge: Semnoz. This long, forested climb tests pacing and patience, before breaking into open ridgelines where the mountains unfold. It was here in 2013 that Chris Froome sealed his Tour de France victory, forever marking Semnoz in cycling folklore. From the summit, you’re rewarded with an unforgettable panorama of the Mont Blanc massif.

After a thrilling descent, you’ll roll back into Annecy. The evening is yours, stroll the medieval canals, sip a lakeside apéritif, or find a cosy spot to enjoy Savoyard cuisine.

Today takes you deep into the Maurienne Valley, a place every cyclist knows as sacred ground. The stage begins with the northern ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Long, irregular, and demanding, this climb threads its way through quiet hamlets and alpine forests before breaking into sweeping pastures. Since its first Tour de France appearance in 1947, the Croix de Fer has been the stage for countless breakaways and bold moves — and at its rugged summit, crowned with the iconic iron cross, you’ll feel the weight of cycling history.

From there, the anticipation builds: Alpe d’Huez awaits. Rising in a furious series of 21 hairpins, each bend carries a story, from Coppi’s first summit win in 1952 to the legendary Dutch corner of the 1980s. The climb is relentless, the crowds of history almost audible in your ears, but the reward is pure exhilaration as you conquer one of the sport’s most iconic ascents.

Tonight, the celebration continues with a mountain-top dinner overlooking Alpe d’Huez. Surrounded by breathtaking views, you’ll toast the day’s efforts with your fellow riders, sharing stories of two legendary climbs that every cyclist dreams of conquering.

We start the day in spectacular style, rolling out of Alpe d’Huez along the legendary balcony road. Carved into the cliffs high above the Romanche Valley, this narrow ribbon of tarmac delivers soaring views across the gorge and jagged alpine peaks. Passing through tiny mountain hamlets and tunnels chiselled from rock, this is one of the Alps’ true hidden gems, more famed for its beauty than its brutality, and the perfect transition between icons.

From there, the road climbs gently toward La Grave, where the mighty La Meije glacier towers above the valley, a dramatic reminder of the high Alps’ raw power. The gradient eases as we ride toward Col du Lautaret, a historic gateway to the mountains, before the day’s real challenge comes into view.

The Col du Galibier, 2,642 metres of Tour de France history. First conquered in 1911, Galibier has been the backdrop for cycling’s greatest battles, from Coppi’s solo breakaway to Pantani’s explosive attacks. The final kilometres above the treeline are stark, wild, and unforgettable. Cresting the summit is a true rite of passage for any cyclist.

After the exhilarating descent, we arrive in Le Monêtier-les-Bains, where alpine hospitality awaits. Over dinner, we’ll raise a glass and relive the day’s unforgettable moments, with the mountains we conquered still looming above.

Today we take on the Col du Granon, one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps. From Briançon, the road wastes no time in rearing skyward, 11 km at nearly 9% average gradient. The relentless switchbacks bite from the first pedal stroke, with barely a moment’s respite. This is a climb that tests not just the legs, but the willpower.

The reward? A breathtaking panorama over Écrins National Park and Mont Thabor, a view earned only by those who reach the summit. Fewer riders have tackled the Granon compared to Galibier or Alpe d’Huez, yet its reputation is fierce, known for its savage gradients and raw alpine drama.

The Granon is also steeped in Tour de France history. In 1986, LeMond and Hinault battled for yellow on these slopes. Decades later, in 2022, Jonas Vingegaard’s attack here wrested the Maillot Jaune from Tadej Pogačar, setting the course of the race. Standing at 2,413 m, you’ll understand why this climb is both feared and revered.

After the adrenaline of the descent, we return to Le Monêtier-les-Bains for a relaxing evening. A hearty alpine dinner awaits, the perfect way to celebrate conquering one of cycling’s most brutal ascents.

This morning we cross from the high Alps into Italy, arriving at our lakeside hotel in Erba, perched in the foothills above Lake Como. After settling in, we set out on a ride that every cyclist should experience at least once, a pilgrimage to the Madonna del Ghisallo.

Our route winds down toward Bellagio, a jewel of the lake, before climbing the modest yet meaningful ascent to the chapel of the Madonna del Ghisallo, patron saint of cyclists. Here, walls are lined with jerseys, bicycles, and relics from the legends of the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. Just beside the chapel, the world-class cycling museum pays homage to icons like Coppi, Bartali, and Merckx, making this ride a moving encounter with the soul of our sport.

The descent back toward the hotel unveils sweeping views across Como’s sparkling waters, framed by steep, forested mountainsides and elegant villas. Today’s ride is less about intensity and more about connection, to history, to culture, and to the passion that unites cyclists everywhere.

This evening, unwind at the hotel spa before gathering for a relaxed dinner together. With fine Italian wine in hand and the lake shimmering below, it’s the perfect welcome to la dolce vita in the Italian Alps.

After several days of conquering the Alps’ most iconic climbs, today begins at a gentler pace. Enjoy a relaxed morning, savour breakfast, take time to recharge, and perhaps indulge in the hotel’s facilities, before we transfer north into Italy. Our destination is Bormio, a charming alpine town at the foot of some of the Giro d’Italia’s greatest passes. With its cobbled streets, Roman baths, and bustling piazzas, Bormio is the perfect launchpad for the epic days to come.

In the late afternoon, conditions permitting, we offer an optional ride up the Piccolo Stelvio (Torre di Fraele). This lesser-known ascent mirrors its legendary namesake with a spectacular run of tight switchbacks that climb dramatically up the mountainside. At the top, medieval towers stand guard over the valley, while panoramic views stretch back toward Bormio. It’s a shorter ride, but one filled with character and scenery that rivals any big-name climb, a true hidden gem of the region.

This evening, dinner is at your leisure. Wander into town and choose from Bormio’s excellent restaurants, where hearty alpine dishes and fine Italian wines are the perfect way to soak in the atmosphere of this mountain hub.

Today is all about one of cycling’s greatest prizes: the Passo dello Stelvio. From the centre of Bormio, the road wastes no time in rising toward the heavens, a relentless succession of switchbacks carving their way through alpine forest, tunnels, and into a world of stark, high-mountain beauty. At 2,757 m, the Stelvio stands as the second-highest paved pass in the Alps and an icon of the Giro d’Italia. Since Fausto Coppi’s heroic 1953 victory, it has been etched into cycling folklore—a climb that every rider dreams of conquering.

Over 20 km of sustained ascent test both legs and resolve. The gradients demand patience and rhythm, but the reward is incomparable: standing at the summit, surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped peaks, knowing you’ve joined the ranks of cyclists who have battled their way to this mythical place.

For those who dare, the day can extend even further, onto the Passo di Gavia, another Giro legend famed for its wild weather and dramatic finishes. Tackle both, and you’ll have completed a stage worthy of the Grand Tours themselves.

Back in Bormio, the evening is yours. Wander the cobbled lanes, discover a cosy trattoria, and toast the day’s achievement with a glass of local red. Few rides in the world compare to what you’ve just accomplished.

Passo dello Stelvio Climb

Our final ride is both a challenge and a celebration, as we bid farewell to Italy and cross into Switzerland via the mighty Bernina Pass. The day begins with a sweeping descent through the Valtellina Valley, rolling into the historic border town of Tirano where the real work begins.

From Tirano, the road stretches upward for nearly 33 km of climbing, a true giant of the Alps. The gradients ebb and flow, long, steady ramps broken by sharper pitches, as the landscape transforms from alpine meadows to stark, glacial wilderness. At 2,328 m, the summit of the Bernina rewards your effort with sweeping views of icy peaks and rugged ridgelines, a fitting backdrop for the last great ascent of the tour.

We finish back in Tirano, where support vehicles await to transfer us to Bormio. The afternoon is reserved for bike pack-down and reflection on a remarkable week of riding. In the evening, we gather for a festive farewell dinner, raising a glass to new friendships and unforgettable moments. Together, we celebrate conquering some of the greatest climbs in cycling history.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Bormio as we transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport for onward journeys. The tour may be ending, but what remains is the memory of an extraordinary adventure across the French and Italian Alps, a journey that has carried you through deep valleys, over legendary passes, and into the very heart of Grand Tour history.

From the shimmering waters of Lake Annecy to the twisting switchbacks of Alpe d’Huez, from the mighty Galibier to the towering Stelvio and Bernina, you’ve ridden the same roads where cycling’s greatest battles were fought. These are climbs that define the sport, and now they’ve become part of your own story.

But this trip has been about more than just epic rides. It’s been about sharing the road with fellow cyclists, experiencing warm alpine hospitality, and soaking in the culture and landscapes that make these mountains so unforgettable. You return home not just with tired legs, but with stories to tell, friendships forged, and memories etched in the high peaks.

Until next time—arrivederci.