Raid Alpine: Mégeve to the Mediterranean
Ride the legendary Alpine traverse, your way.
Highlights
✓ Ride many of the Tour de France’s most iconic climbs, including the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard and Col de Vars.
✓ Ride the Cime de la Bonette (2,802 m), the highest paved road in France.
✓ Cycle through the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, one of Europe’s most iconic natural wonders.
✓ Fully supported throughout with experienced guides and support vehicle.
✓ Return airport transfers from Lyon or Geneva Airport and to Nice Airport.
✓ Stay in welcoming family-run hotels and enjoy excellent Alpine and Provençal cuisine.
| Tour at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9Days / 8 Nights |
| Distance | Approximately 900 km |
| Start / Finish | Mégeve → Vence (Mediterranean) |
| Daily Distance | 70–130 km |
| Daily Climbing | 1,700–3,000 m |
| Ride Level | Experienced |
| Group Size | Maximum 12 riders |
| Accommodation | Family-run 3★ hotels |
| Support | Fully guided with support vehicle |
| Bike Hire | Premium road bikes available |
Introduction
Our take on the legendary Raid Alpine follows one of cycling’s greatest journeys, crossing the French Alps from Mégeve to the Mediterranean coast at Vence.
Along the way you’ll ride many of the Alps’ most iconic climbs, including the Cormet de Roselend, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard, Col de Vars and the Cime de la Bonette. The route also takes in the spectacular Gorges du Verdon before a memorable finish on the Mediterranean.
We’ve designed our itinerary to make the experience even more enjoyable. A mid-week rest day gives your legs a chance to recover before tackling the highest roads in France, while two-night stays at selected hotels mean you won’t be packing your suitcase every morning. We’ve even included an optional mountain time trial on the Cime de la Bonette for anyone who wants to test themselves on one of cycling’s most legendary climbs.
The result is all the challenge and adventure of the classic Raid Alpine, with a little more comfort, a little less stress, and more time to enjoy the ride.
Dates
Available as a custom tour. Contact us to arrange your preferred dates.
Cost
From £1750.00 per person
Single supplement £550
What's included
✓ 8 nights’ accommodation in welcoming family-run hotels.
✓ Breakfast every morning.
✓ Return airport transfers from Lyon or Geneva Airport and to Nice Airport.
✓ Seven fully guided rides with experienced local guides.
✓ Full support vehicle throughout every ride.
✓ GPX files for every route, ready to download to your GPS device.
✓ Daily luggage transfers between hotels.
✓ Energy snacks and water refills during each ride.
✓ Mechanical support and assistance throughout the tour.
✓ Pre-tour information pack with everything you need before you arrive.
Not included
✓ Flights.
✓ Lunches during the rides.
✓ Evening meals (except where stated).
✓ Travel insurance.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Shake-Down Ride
Arrive at Geneva or Lyon Airport, where we’ll meet you for the transfer to Mégeve (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Geneva). Once at the hotel, we’ll assemble the bikes, make any final adjustments, and head out for a short afternoon shake-down ride. It’s the perfect opportunity to check that everything is working smoothly, stretch the legs after travelling, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Megeve to Moutiers
The adventure begins with a fantastic opening stage through the heart of the French Alps. Leaving Mégeve, we roll gently down the valley to Flumet, where a left turn signals the start of the first major climb of the tour – the Col des Saisies. At 15 km long with an average gradient of 5%, it’s the perfect warm-up for the days ahead.
A sweeping descent then takes us to Beaufort, famous for its delicious mountain cheese, where we’ll stop for lunch before tackling the day’s main event – the Cormet de Roselend. Climbing for 20 km at an average of 6%, this is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the Alps, with breathtaking views over the turquoise Lac de Roselend.
After a thrilling descent, we continue to Moûtiers, where we’ll spend the night and prepare for another spectacular day in the mountains.
Day 3: Moutiers to Briancon
Today is the queen stage of the tour, taking in three of the most iconic climbs in the French Alps. It’s a long, demanding day, but one you’ll never forget.
The first challenge is the magnificent Col de la Madeleine, a classic Tour de France climb stretching 25 km at an average gradient of 6%. After a thrilling descent into the Maurienne Valley, we’ll stop for lunch in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne before tackling the legendary pairing of the Col du Télégraphe and the Col du Galibier.
The Télégraphe climbs steadily for 12 km at 7%, leading directly into the mighty Galibier from Valloire. This final ascent is 17 km long at an average of 7.5%, climbing above 2,600 metres to one of the most celebrated summits in professional cycling.
From the summit of the Galibier, it’s almost entirely downhill to Briançon, where a well-earned evening awaits after one of the greatest days of riding in the Alps.
Distance: 146 km
Climbing: 4,400 m
Three legendary climbs, one unforgettable day, and a stage that many riders will remember as the highlight of the entire tour.
Day 4: Briancon to Barcelonnette.
Another spectacular day awaits as we leave Briançon and head towards the beautiful Ubaye Valley, crossing two more of the Alps’ most celebrated mountain passes.
The day begins with the ascent of the Col d’Izoard, a Tour de France legend renowned for its dramatic scenery and the lunar landscape of the Casse Déserte near the summit. The climb rises steadily for 20 km at an average gradient of 5.7%, before a long descent to Guillestre, where we’ll stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we tackle the Col de Vars, climbing 19.5 km at an average of 5.8%. Although gentler than some of the previous days’ ascents, it still offers stunning Alpine scenery before rewarding us with another fantastic descent into the Ubaye Valley.
We finish the day in the charming mountain town of Barcelonnette, where we’ll enjoy a well-earned two-night stay.
Distance: 101 km
Climbing: 3,100 m
With two legendary cols, breathtaking scenery, and the comfort of unpacking for two nights, it’s the perfect reward after the challenges of the previous stages.
Day 5: Rest Day or Cime de la Bonette Mountain Time Trial
Today is yours to enjoy however you choose. Relax in Barcelonnette, explore the town, or, if you’re feeling strong, take on our optional Cime de la Bonette Mountain Time Trial.
After an easy warm-up ride to Jausiers, we’ll gather at the foot of the climb before setting off together. From there, it’s every rider for themselves on an informal time trial to the summit of one of cycling’s most legendary roads.
The Cime de la Bonette climbs for 24 km at an average gradient of 6.6%, finishing on the highest paved road in France and one of the highest roads ever used by the Tour de France. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply enjoying the climb at your own pace, it’s an unforgettable ascent with spectacular Alpine scenery all the way to the top.
Distance: 55 km (optional)
Climbing: 1,650 m
Ride as hard or as steadily as you like—or simply take the day to recover before the second half of the adventure.
Day 6: Barcelonnette to Castellane
Today’s ride takes us through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southern Alps. Leaving Barcelonnette, we begin the long, steady ascent of the Col de la Cayolle. At 30 km with an average gradient of 4%, it’s a climb that rewards patience rather than brute strength, winding through beautiful Alpine valleys and dramatic mountain landscapes.
A superb descent brings us to Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, where we’ll stop for a well-earned lunch before the day’s final challenge: the Col des Champs. This quieter climb rises for 16 km at an average of 6.5%, offering a peaceful and rewarding ascent far from the crowds.
From the summit, a long, fast descent follows the stunning Verdon Valley all the way to Castellane, where we’ll settle in for a two-night stay.
Distance: 129 km
Climbing: 3,100 m
A day of quiet mountain roads, spectacular scenery, and flowing descents, with the added bonus of two nights in the heart of the Verdon region.
Day 7: The Verdon Gorge, Route des Cretes
Today is one of the highlights of the entire tour as we ride through the breathtaking Gorges du Verdon, often called the Grand Canyon of France. Carved into the limestone over millions of years, its towering cliffs rise up to 300 metres above the emerald waters of the Verdon River, creating one of Europe’s most spectacular cycling routes.
Leaving Castellane, we follow the Verdon River on a gentle warm-up before climbing to the picturesque village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, the gateway to the gorge. From here, we ride the spectacular Route des Crêtes, a dramatic one-way loop that hugs the edge of the canyon, offering countless panoramic viewpoints over the towering limestone cliffs and the turquoise river far below.
After taking in some of the finest scenery in Provence, we return to La Palud for lunch before retracing our route back through the gorge to Castellane.
Distance: 70 km
Climbing: 1,100 m
An unforgettable day of spectacular scenery and quiet mountain roads, showcasing one of France’s greatest natural wonders.
Day 8: Castellane to The Med
The final day of the tour is a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable journey across the French Alps. Leaving Castellane, we cross a handful of quiet mountain passes, including the Col de Sainte-Barnabé and the Col de la Bleine, enjoying peaceful roads and sweeping views across the hills of Provence.
As we leave the high mountains behind, we continue south towards the Côte d’Azur before tackling one final climb: the beautiful Col de Vence. A favourite among local cyclists, its steady gradients and panoramic views provide the perfect final challenge of the week.
From the summit, it’s a glorious descent into the historic hilltop town of Vence, where we’ll celebrate completing one of France’s greatest cycling adventures.
Distance: 108 km
Climbing: 2,500 m
From the high Alps to the Mediterranean, this unforgettable final stage brings an epic week of riding to a memorable finish.
Day 9: Departure Day
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Nice Airport for your onward journey. The transfer takes approximately 30 minutes, giving you time to reflect on an unforgettable week of riding from Mont Ventoux to the Mediterranean.
You’ll leave with tired legs, great memories and, we hope, plans to return.
Tour Map
Is This Tour for Me?
This is our most demanding road tour and is designed for experienced cyclists who enjoy long days in the mountains. You’ll be riding some of the most iconic climbs in the French Alps, with several stages exceeding 100 km and 3,000 metres of climbing.
The route is fully supported throughout, with our support vehicle available every day. If you’re feeling tired, the weather takes a turn, or you simply want to skip part of a stage, there’s always the option to ride in the van before rejoining the group later. Our aim is for everyone to enjoy the experience, not just reach the finish.
Ideal if you:
✓ Regularly ride 100 km or more and are comfortable climbing for extended periods.
✓ Want to experience the legendary Alpine climbs made famous by the Tour de France.
✓ Enjoy challenging multi-day cycling adventures.
✓ Appreciate the reassurance of full vehicle support throughout the tour.
✓ Want to finish your journey at the Mediterranean after crossing the French Alps.