Tour de France 2023 - Three Stage Alpine Challenge

Ride the three key Tour de France 2023 Alpine stages (14, 15 & 17) on consecutive days, including the Etape du Tour route
Our most demanding cycling challenge to date – 560km with 14,000m ascent in 3 days!
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these TdF stages first hand, before the Pros – you won’t experience this anywhere else!
Spectacular routes through glorious Alpine scenery
Comfortable 3&4 star hotels in great locations
Includes airport transfers, support from two experienced Marmot Tours guides and two well-stocked support vehicles, baggage transportation, four nights of hotel accommodation, four substantial breakfasts, four evening meals (incl. drinks), picnic lunches, cycling snacks (sweet, savoury, and fresh), photos of you riding, and so much more!

Days on the bike

3 days

Pair of cyclists climbing in French Alps on Marmot Tours guided road cycling tour mountains backdrop

Introduction

Marmot Tours is pleased to offer you the opportunity to ride three of the most demanding Alpine stages of the 2023 Tour de France (stages 14, 15 and 17). With 560km and 14,000 meters of climbing in just 3 days, this has to be the ultimate test of your cycling prowess.

Our challenge, which includes the 2023 Etape du Tour stage from Annemasse to Morzine, is at the start of July, when the roads are generally quiet, still giving you plenty of time for the essential training.

Putting the intimidating stats to one side, the Tour de France organisers have put together three exceptional rides through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Northern Alps. Some of the climbs are infamous, and some are future classics, but the riding is all world-class and generally avoids main roads. Another joy of this route is that the stages flow into each other, so there is no need for transfers between stages as you ride from hotel to hotel.

This is your ride, and we are here to support you as individuals. As with all our Raid Challenges, we do not insist that everyone rides as a group; you are free to ride at the speed you like, stop when you want, and make the days your own.

With our experienced support team in customised vehicles, we will provide you with all the moral and mechanical support you require. All you have to do is eat, sleep and cycle - we do the rest!

It is important to us that people book the correct road cycling holiday. This three stage challenge is significantly more brutal than any of our other raids. Please do not book it unless you are sure that you will have the time to do the necessary training. TOP TIP: the best training available would be to book on one of our Classic Cols holidays in May or June!

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

It's important to us that you book the right holiday for you, so please click on the What’s Included, Essential Information, and Travel & Transfers buttons on this page for all you need to know about how this holiday works, including food, accommodation, travel and transfers etc. If you have any questions, you can get in touch using the Enquire Now button.

For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Black and white image of cyclist on road to roux plane on Marmot Tours guided road cycling tour French Alps

Travel & Transfers

What's Included

Essential Info

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Departure Dates & Prices

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We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):

Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your third Marmot Tours road cycling holiday onwards

Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.

Map

Itinerary

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Day 0: Arrival day

We offer included transfers from Geneva GVA airport to our start hotel in Annemasse (30min) at 11:50 and 15:35, for flights arriving up to 45min before those times.

We suggest arriving in the morning so you have plenty of time to assemble your bike, and check that your GPS unit is set up correctly (please note that it is essential you have a GPS unit for this holiday). We can then respond to any issue that may arise before you start riding. Those on the morning transfer may choose to go for a warm-up ride and enjoy some great views over Lake Geneva towards the Jura.

For those travelling from the UK, there are direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Marmot Tours titanium framed bikes are available to hire on this road cycling challenge.

In the early evening, there will be a safety briefing followed by a substantial meal.

Cyclist on Col de la Ramaz on fully supported road cycling holiday in French Alps with Marmot Tours

Day 1: 2023 TdF stage 14 from Annemasse to Morzine

Today's ride is genuinely spectacular. It showcases what cycling in the Alps is all about and is certainly full of variety and challenges. It is hardly surprising that The Etape du Tour has chosen this stage for the world's largest amateur cycling event in 2023.

The route climbs gently from Annemasse to the Col de Saxel (944m) and then undulates (with a few cheeky bits) through forests and Alpine pastures dotted with idyllic chalets over the Col de Cou (1116m), Col du Feu (1117m) and Col de Jambaz (1028m). This takes you to the base of the Col de la Ramaz (1619m), which is no stranger to the TdF. It is a characterful climb with a section of road hewn out of the sheer cliff. The view from the top of the Mont Blanc range is exceptional.

In true TdF style, the day's biggest challenge is the final climb - The Col de Joux Plane (1691m); it is not the longest or highest in the Haute Savoie, but its erratic gradients and steep pitches make it one of the most feared. Your reward is one of the best descents in the Alps to the stage end in Morzine.

Your hotel is in Les Gets, which is only 6.5km up the valley, but it includes 250m more ascent, so there is the option of a shuttle in our van.

Cyclist and northern French Alps meadow on fully supported road cycling holiday in French Alps with Marmot Tours

Day 2: 2023 TdF stage 15 from Les Gets to Saint-Gervais

Road cycling does not get much better than this. Quiet roads, big views, steep climbs, hidden gems and sore legs are all on the agenda for today!

From Les Gets, you head downhill to Taninges for 11km (this bit is not on the official TdF profile as it is not part of the 'race'). You then wind your way through some pretty villages over the Col des Fleuries (920m) and down to Lake Annecy, where you enjoy a rare moment of level cycling. The next climb to the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (1157m) is a joy at the start but soon changes character with some savage gradients towards the end. The views over Lake Annecy towards la Montagne du Semnoz make it all worthwhile.

A technical descent leads you into the Col du Marais (843m) and via Manigod to Col de la Croix Fry (1460m) and on to the highest point of today - the Col des Aravis (1487m).

From here, The Tour route takes you on a gratuitous excursion into the Chamonix valley via Megève, primarily to include the 17% inclines of the Côte des Amerands (888m). The stage end is up in the ski resort of Saint-Gervais Le Bettex (1372m), which will no doubt be a welcome sight after 195km!

You will be pleased to hear that it is just a matter of freewheeling down to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to your hotel and a hearty meal.

Pair of cyclists climbing Cormet de Roselend with view of lake and mountains on Marmot Tours fully supported road cycling holiday French Alps

Day 3: 2023 TdF stage 17 from Saint-Gervais to Courchevel (Altiport)

Following yesterday's stage, The Tour peloton has a time trial and rest day to gather the strength for The Queen Stage of this year's TdF. Everything about this ride is epic!

From Saint-Gervais you take a balcony road to Megève and back to Flumet. Here you head south and take on the inclines of the Col des Saisies (1650m). Despite its challenges, this is a great climb and has an even better descent to Beaufort (famous for its cheese). Next up is a long-time Marmot Tours favourite - the Cormet de Roselend (1968m). This is one of the few Alpine climbs without a ski resort at the top, making it a scenic journey past the vast reservoir and through Alpine meadows.

At Bourg-Saint-Maurice the official route heads down the valley on the main road, but we will avoid this on the surfaced cycle path on the other side of the river. Rejoining the official route, you head over the Côte de Longefoy (1174m) to Moutiers and Bride-les-Bains.

The climb to the ski resort of Courchevel would be a tough enough way to end this ride, but the organisers have opted to detour via Meribel and throw in the Col de la Loze (2304m). Wow! This is a stunning climb and a fitting tribute to Henri Desgrange.

But the ride is still not over! You descend 300m to the base of the airstrip for the final 0.5km at 18.5%! (We will not be allowed to ride on the airstrip, so we will use the service road to the side.) This is bound to be emotional. All there is to do then is wrap up warm and descend back to your hotel in Bride-Les-Bains for a celebratory meal.

Two Marmot Tours support vans on fully supported guided road cycling holidays in Europe

Day 4: Departure day

The challenge may be over, but the memories will last a lifetime. Your respect for the TdF pros will undoubtedly have grown as they tackle these stages as part of their three-week-long race!

We offer transfers from Bride-les-Bains to Geneva GVA airport (2hrs) at specified times throughout the morning, dropping off at 08:45 and 12:25 for flights leaving at least two hours after that.

For those travelling to the UK, there are direct flights to London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Full travel advice and our group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.