5 Legendary Cycling Loops in the French Alps & Provence.

Alpe d’Huez – © Veymont Travel

Leaving the Allemond dam, you head for Bourg d’Oisans, where the ten kilometers or so of flat terrain will warm you up before the ascent of the legendary Alpe d’Huez. The start of the climb is 1.5 km after the town of Bourg d’Oisans, and you’re off for 14.5 km at an average gradient of 7.6%. Each bend is numbered and bears the names of the cyclists who have performed on these slopes. Two kilometers from the summit, the route is signposted to help you navigate the Alpe d’Huez resort. To return to the valley, descend to the village of Huez before continuing on to Villard-Reculas and its balcony road, then enjoy the view of Lac du Verney as you glide down to Allemond.

Highlights: 

• The route : Allemond > Bourg d’Oisans > Alpe d’Huez > Villard-Reculas > Allemond.
• 45 kms – altitude gain 1300m.
• Alpe d’Huez: 14.5 kms at 7.6%.

Col de la Croix de fer – © Veymont Travel

This route starts in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, and takes you first to the Lacets de Montvernier. This 3.4 km climb includes 18 hairpin bends, providing cycling fans with magnificent images every time the Tour de France takes them.

Once at the top, in the village of Montvernier, you turn right to descend into the valley to Hermillon, then reach the village of Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines. You’re now on the slopes of the Col du Glandon 1924m, the road is forested for the first few kilometers, then the landscape opens up completely, revealing the peaks.

A short descent brings you to the junction with the road to the Col de La Croix de Fer 2067m, 2.5 kms higher up.

Don’t miss La Croix de Fer on your left, just before the high-altitude restaurant and the pass.

The descent to the resort of Saint-Sorlins-d’Arves is winding, but offers grandiose views of the Aiguilles d’Arves. The remainder of the descent to Saint Jean de Maurienne has a sometimes bumpy surface.

Highlights: 

• The route : St Jean de Maurienne > Montvernier > Glandon Pass > Croix de Fer Pass > St Jean de Maurienne.
• 75 kms – altitude gain 2100m.
• Lacets de Montvernier : 14.5 kms at 7.6% average gradient
• Glandon Pass : 21 kms at 7% average gradient
• Croix de Pass : 23 kms at 7% average gradient

Col d’Izoard – © Veymont Travel

You set off from the beautiful town of Briançon, just a few kilometers from the Italian border and at the foot of the Col d’Izoard. To reach Guillestre, gateway to the Gorges du Guil, it’s best to avoid the busy Route Nationale 94. Take the route through Villar-Saint-Pancrace before rejoining the N94 at Le Villaret for a short stretch, then turn right onto the scenic D4 to Le Vignaux before descending to L’Argentiere-la-Bessée. Continue on the D138A then D38 to avoid the traffic until you reach Mont-Dauphin. From Guillestre you follow the Gorges du Guil for around 20km before climbing the magnificent Col d’Izoard 2360m, made famous by both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. The final kilometers of the ascent take you into the “Casse déserte”, a grandiose mineral landscape. Two commemorative plaques pay tribute to Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet.In the first meters of the descent, stop off at the refuge Napoléon and enjoy a delicious slice of blueberry tart, before gliding down to Briançon. 

Highlights:  

• The route : Briançon > Guillestre > Izoard Pass > Briançon.
• 95 kms – altitude gain 2300m.
• Izoard Pass : 16 kms at 7% average gradient

Col du Pré – Lac de Roselend – © Veymont Travel

The village of Beaufort gives its name to the delicious mountain cheese produced in the surrounding Alpine pastures, but it’s also the ideal starting point for tackling the Col du Cormet de Roselend and before that the Col du Pré. Highlighted by the Tour de France for the first time in 2018, the 12km-long Col du Pré 1703m starts in the village of Beaufort, although it’s on the outskirts of Arêches that the most difficult gradients appear. The twists and turns follow one another on a small, perfectly maintained road, offering views of the peaks. Once at the pass, take a break to admire the view of Mont-Blanc 4807m and Lac de Roselend. After a short descent, you cross the Lac de Roselend dam, and ten kilometers separate you from the Col dur Cormet de Roselend 1968m. Once you’ve reached the summit, turn around and head back down to Beaufort on the road D925.

Highlights: 

• The route : Beaufort > Arêches > Pré Pass > Cormet de Roselend Pass > Beaufort.
• 45 kms – altitude gain 1500m.
• Pré Pass : 12 kms at 8% average gradient.
• Cormet de Roselend Pass from the lake shore : 5 kms at 5% average gradient

Mont Ventoux – © Veymont Travel

Mont Ventoux offers three routes to its summit: from Malaucène, from Sault and from Bédoin.

Bédoin is the starting point for the climb on its most mythical side. A long false flat allows you to warm up before really starting the climb.

Undergrowth for several kilometers, the landscape opens up from Chalet Reynard, becoming mineral and lunar.

The curves that make up the last 6 km of the climb will give you a glimpse of the tower that characterizes this unique summit.

Once at the summit, follow the same route back down to Chalet Reynard, then head for Sault. Continue on to Monieux, then enter the Gorges de la Nesque, a magnificent canyon in the heart of Provence. Once you’ve reached Villes-sur-Auzon, take the D19 towards Bédoin.

Highlights: 

• The route : Bédoin > Mont Ventoux > Sault > Gorges de la Nesque > Bédoin.
• 85 kms – altitude gain 1900m.
• Mont Ventoux : 21.5 kms at 7.5% average gradient.