Nice sightseeing

Most will arrive at Nice International Airport and transfer to our 4 star hotel close to the railway station. Those arriving early can enjoy the day or evening exploring Nice.

Dinner and overnight in Nice

Nice, Maritim Alps, Monaco, Mercantour National Park, Isola, Jausier (240km 5 hours riding)

This morning is the moment to meet your ride for this epic alpine adventure. After some safety instructions, you are now riding by the Mediterranean sea, heated by the sun that shines 300 days a year.

The first day is dedicated to the discovery of the Maritimes Alps and its major towns Nice & Monaco.

Nice's nicknamed is “Nice la Belle”, which means 'Nice the Beautiful' and has one of the warmest climate around Mediterranean.

After cruising along the sea on the “promenade des Anglais” in Nice and from the Boulevard Albert 1 up toward Place du Casino in Monaco, the famous Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race, you will finally get out the cities to enjoy the quietness and character of Nice's hinterlands' roads.

Passing through the Mercantour National Parc and Sospel, a lovely small town from the 5th century, the group is now riding small winding roads hooked on cliffs in lost valleys toward the Italian border & Isola 2000.

After few kilometres in Italy, you're back in France via the Madelene pass, which culminates at almost 2000m high and the day ends in the small town of Jausiers.

Diner & overnight in Jausiers.

Jausier to Briançon (220 km 4.5 hours riding)

You are now about to experience what riding in the Alps is all about. The day starts with the Bonette Pass : Peaking at 2800m, it is the highest road in Europe, and a heaven for marmots ! Watch where you put your wheels! These hairpins are twisting between stone-fields and meadows and one of these little furry creatures can appear at any time!

If you ride this road in early season (April/May) you might be surrounded by snow walls of 3 or 4 meters high at the top!

Before you continue your journey, you visit Mont-Dauphin. Founded in 1693 by Vauban, Mont-Dauphin is a stronghold on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You are now riding toward Briançon and its fortified old town passing through the lunar landscape of Izoard's pass and along the rocky Guil valley dominated by the Castle of Chateau-ville-vielle in Queyras valley.

Diner & overnight in Briançon.

Brancon to Chamonix (240km 5.5 hours riding)

Today, the riding gets challenging as we head into Europe's largest natural park, Les Ecrins and end the dat at the foot of Western Europes highest peak, Mont Blanc. The landscapes will be clearly different from previous days with ever higher mountains and more glaciers. After few steps in Italy, a stop at the Col du Mont-Cenis is essential. This pass, whose name means « mountain of ashes » is crowned by the eponymous lake and offers an incredible panorama over the valley of the "Susa"(Italy) and "de l'Arc"(France). You will then pass through the Mont-Blanc tunnel for a tremendous entrance into the Chamonix valley surrounded by the impressive and dominant Mont-Blanc massif where stands the Mont-Blanc who reign at 4,809 meters high.

Visit of the old town of Chamonix and tasting of Haut-Savoyard cheese (optional)

Diner & night in Chamonix

Chamonix to Aix-les-Bains (170km 4.5 hours riding)

As you leave Chamonix today, the Mont-Blanc will remain in your rear view mirrors almost all day long. Meaning "closed" in old French, it is nevertheless with open arms that the large hair-pin bends of the Aravis' pass welcome you as you enter the alpine village of La Clusaz in the Kingdom of "Reblochon", it is the ideal day to discover this cheese, which is essential for the preparation of the delicious "Tartiflette".

The "Venice of the Alps" Annecy, awaits you by its lake below the Aravis Valley. You may go for a walking tour of the old town centre and then go back on the road toward Aix-les-Bains.

Rising on the shores of France's largest natural lake of glacial origin, the Bourget Lake, Aix-les-Bains is one of french major thermal towns. You can now take the opportunity of a deserved relaxing evening in a spa.

Aix-les-Bains to Corps (250km 5.5 hours riding)

This morning you leave the banks of Bourget Lake and head south again. After a short break in Valloire, you pass through the most famous passes of the Tour de France, the Galibier and the Lautaret, to reach the alpine village of La Grave with a dreamlike view of the La Meije glacier.

Essential phase, you ride next the famous curves of Alpe d'Huez then you take the direction of the col d'Ornon and Corps where you sleep in the heart of the French Alps.

In France, there are a number of hotels, restaurants and hotel-restaurants, taking advantage of former post offices. They are the witnesses of this ancient system created in 1477 by King Louis XI of France.

You are sleeping at one of these historic sites tonight.

The many turns of this day certainly have whetted your appetite. In Corps you will find quality Alpine local products with a traditional Murçon & ravioles dinner in the restaurant and taste the cheeses produced by hand in the valley (option). Bon appétit ! Diner & overnight in Corps.

Corps to Castellane (230km 5 hours riding)

This morning, you will continue your journey south through the small roads of Gap hinterland and the famous Napoleon Road. Riding hair-pin bends, small and long curves on a cliff edge, now you know that this is indeed the imperial way of the rider. Like the pilgrims of yesteryear, you will stop at Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, a sanctuary perched at an altitude of 1800 metres.

The huge Serre-Poncon lake welcomes you next and invites you for a refreshment. By the water, take the opportunity to admire the landscape, the sun shines and the Parc des Écrins faces you, you are in the Hautes-Alpes!

You then continue your journey to Castellane, a frequent biker gathering place where you can enjoy a tasting of local wines (optional) and your hotel.

Diner & Overnight in Castelane

Castellane to Nice (240km 5 hours riding)

Photo stops will still be numerous today !

You start your last day of riding with the impressive Verdon Gorge. This 50km loop overlooks this canyon carved by the Verdon River. Steep cliffs with nuanced colours, plots of greenery that develop on natural balconies, emerald river, the site of the Gorges du Verdon is unique and rich.

The richness of the Verdon is due to the fact that species are endemic to it, i. e. they only exist on the surface of our planet in the gorges!

You then take the road to Lac-de-Sainte-Croix, the turns naturally follow one another until you return to the hinterland of Nice via the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Nature Park.

You stop on the Croisette in Cannes where the Cannes Movie festival takes place and after a last stop on the Mediterranean coast, on Antibes' beach, it's time to drop off the bike.

You are then transferred to your hotel where you settle in. Then, visit of Nice by foot and, watching the sunset over the Mediterranean, you taste a speciality from Nice: the famous pissaladière. A candied onion pie with anchovies.

Diner & Overnight in Nice

Nice departure

Goodbyes and homeward bound or onward travel. Some might want to stay on and spend more time in the area.