13th - 20th June 2026
5 to 30° C
Level : Intermediate to Advanced
Cycle Geneva to Nice
SportActive Luxury Cycling Holiday
12 Alpine passes

Ride from the Mont Blanc Region
to the Mediterranean Sea
550 kms in 6 days
Your Tour de France Adventure
Overview
Prices shown per person sharing (pps) are based on 7 nights, double occupancy, half board, support, food & drinks during the rides, airport transfers in Geneva and Nice
EB* = Early Bird for deposit received before 31.10.2025 R** = regular price from 01.11.2025
Geneva to Nice Cycle: from Sat 13th to Sat 20th June 2026
7 nights, sharing en-suite room
Only 15 places available on this epic week (to guarantee the quality of the service!)
EB* 2,719 €/pps
R** 2,919 €/pps
Deposit 500 €/pps
Single supplement: 69 €/night
Please read the Geneva to Nice Terms and Conditions prior to booking.
6 Days, 550 km, 12 Alpine Passes
The Ultimate Bucket List Luxury Cycling Holiday
Day 1 Saturday - Geneva Airport Arrival

When you arrive at Geneva Airport, we'll:
Transfer you and your bike to Hôtel**** La Ferme du Lac in Thyez
Build bikes and test ride, time allowing
Welcome reception/tour briefing
Cheers!
Day 2 Sunday - Thyez to La Lechere 104 km

The adventure begins with two awesome climbs:
- Col de la Colombière (1128 m) 1st category
Average gradient : 5.6%
Maximum gradient : 10%
Height gain : 1066 m
Distance : 19.8 km - Col des Aravis (1486 m) 1st category
Average gradient : 5.7%
Maximum gradient : 8.6%
Height gain : 756 m
Distance : 21.3 km
After this, on to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Day 3 Monday - La Lechere to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne 68 km

You'll ride the mighty Madeleine and the hairpins of Les lacests de Montvernier...
- Col de la Madeleine (1993 m) hors catégorie
Average gradient : 6,2%
Height gain : 1585 m
Distance : 25.3 km - Les lacets de Montvernier: You're greeted by 17 tightly packed hairpin bends and incredible views!
Average gradient : 7.3%
Elevation gain : 505 m
Distance : 3.4 km
After this, on to Col du Lautaret.
Day 4 Tuesday - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret 55 km

Are you ready for Col du Galibier?
- Col du Télégraphe, 1st category (1566 m)
Average gradient : 7%
Height gain : 851 m
Distance :12 km - Col du Galibier (2646m) hors catégorie
Average gradient : 6.9%
Elevation gain : 1245 m
Distance : 18.1 km - Col du Lautaret (2058 m)
Big day tomorrow.
Day 5 Wednesday - Col du Laurtaret to Barcelonnette 128 km

You may see the ghosts of Tour de France legends COPPI and Bobet, or at least their headstones!
- Col d'Izoard (2360 m)
Average gradient : 5.7%
Maximum gradient : 9.4%
Height gain : 1141 m
Distance : 20 km - Col de Vars (2108 m)
Average gradient : 5.7%
Maximum gradient : 8.7%
Height gain : 1111 m
Distance : 19.4 km
Get ready to ride the highest through road in Europe next!
Day 6 Thursday - Barcelonnette to
Saint Sebastien 124 km

Are you ready to ride into the sky?
- Col de la Bonette (2802 m) hors catégorie. This is the highest asphalted road in France and the highest through road in Europe
Average gradient : 6.6%
Maximum gradient : 9%
Height gain : 1589 m
Distance : 24.1 km - Col St Martin (1500 m): 1st category
Average gradient : 6.2%
Elevation gain : 1018 m
Distance : 16.5 km
Just two more cols to go, and you can tell your friends you conquered the French Alps! With SportActive Luxury Cycling!
Day 7 Friday - Saint Sebastien to Nice/Menton 59 km

Can you smell the Mediterranean Sea air?
- Col de Turini (1607 m) 1st category
Average gradient : 5.2%
Maximum gradient : 9.3%
Height gain : 1107 m
Distance : 15.3 km - Col de Castillon (707 m) 3rd category
Average gradient : 5.1%
Maximum gradient : 6.8%
Height gain : 349 m
Distance : 7 km
Congratulations! You just conquered the French Alps. Enjoy the champagne and well-deserved swim!
Day 8 Saturday - Transfer to Nice Airport

On travel home day, we'll:
- Help you disassemble your bike, ready for transport
- Provide airport transfers to Nice Airport
Take care when travelling home. See you next year.
Ride the French Alps Fully Supported!

Ride from Geneva to Nice over "La Route des Grandes Alpes"
You will ride twelve alpine passes, including Col du Galibier, Col du Télégraphe, and Col d'Izoard. These mountains are regularly used in the Tour de France and will test your limits. Along the way, you will ride hors category cols and gems such as the 'Shoelaces' of Montvernier..
Only 15 Spaces Available - Book Now to Secure Your Place
Test your Limits in the French Alps
Starting in the Mont Blanc region, you will ride south for six days until you reach Nice, on the Mediterranean Sea. Six days, 550kms riding the alpine passes the pros face every year, offers a challenge like no other. Riding in the French Alps will test your abilities as a rider.
Supported Tour de France Style
We use support cars carrying spare parts, drinking water, and food. Martin will also be riding with you, passing on coaching advice and knowledge. Martin is a professional cycle coach with years of experience. He ensures you will reach each stage of Geneva to Nice under your own steam. He and his team are on hand should a repair be needed. We want to keep you on the road as much as possible.
Logistics - From airport transfers to moving your luggage from hotel to hotel, we have you covered on Geneva to Nice
We've got you covered. We have good relationships with the hotels and some provide washing facilities for your kit. Every hotel provides secure bike storage. Our logistic mastery stretches to providing you with porridge in the morning.
Experience the Spectacular and the Beautiful
Riding the "Route des Grandes Alpes" is an experience which immerses you in the spectacular awe inspiring beauty of the French Alps. It is hard to describe the feeling as you ride higher and higher into the mountains. It is simply something you have to do.
We ride together, we eat together, and camaraderie forms
Our guests tell us they make new long long-lasting friendships on our tours. If you are wondering if you can enjoy riding Geneva to Nice if you're travelling alone, the answer is yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What level of fitness do I need for the Geneva to Nice tour?
A: You'll need a reasonable level of endurance for this six-day tour covering 550km with 12 alpine passes. If you're cycling regularly and comfortable with longer rides, you'll have a solid foundation for this challenge, and will enjoy a great Geneva to Nice.
Q: How should I prepare for the Geneva to Nice tour?
A: Focus on endurance training. As you progress then incorporate hill training and getting comfortable with your gears on sustained climbs. Practice shifting efficiently to maintain a steady cadence on longer ascents. Although the prospect of cols such as Madeleine, Galibier, and Bonette (Europe's highest paved road at 2802m) may seem daunting, SportActive Luxury Cycling will be with you for every mile.
Q: How does SportActive support riders on the Geneva to Nice tour?
A: We provide Tour de France-style support with vehicles carrying spare parts, water, and food throughout each stage. Professional coach Martin rides with the group, offering pacing advice and coaching. Our support team handles all logistics—airport transfers, moving luggage between hotels, securing bike storage, and even organizing porridge for breakfast. If you need mechanical assistance or struggle on any stage, we can transport you and your bike.
Q: Why are there only 15 spaces available on this tour?
A: We intentionally limit the Geneva to Nice tour to 15 riders maximum to guarantee exceptional service quality and group cohesion. Smaller groups allow for better focused support throughout the challenging alpine stages, and stronger camaraderie. This intimate group size ensures everyone receives the attention they need on this demanding six-day adventure.
Q: What should I pack for varying alpine weather conditions?
A: Alpine weather changes rapidly with altitude. Temperatures can swing from 30°C in valleys to below 10°C on summit climbs. Pack leggings, arm warmers, gilet, long-sleeve wind/rain jacket, light long-finger gloves, and overshoes. Thunderstorms are common in June. Our support vehicles carry your gear and can provide clothing during climbs. Some hotels offer washing facilities for your kit.
Q: Can I hire a bike for Geneva to Nice, or must I bring my own?
A: Bike hire is very difficult to arrange for this tour, so we strongly recommend bringing your own bike. We include airport transfers for you and your bike plus we transport your bike box from Geneva to Nice. Our guides provide mechanical assistance if needed during the week. Having your own properly fitted and fully serviced bike is crucial for a six-day alpine challenge of this magnitude.
Highlights...
Audrius Simaitis – "Fabulous Tour, immaculate organisation, attention to every detail, tailored professional advice during the rides and real camerado atmosphere. Highly recommended! "
Itinerary, Cycling Location, and Profile
We'll ride 12 Alpine Passes:
- Col de la Colombière (1128m) 1st category. Distance 19.8 km, average gradient 5.6%. Maximum gradient 10%. Height gain 1066m
- Col des Aravis (1486 m) 1st category.
Average gradient: 5.7% ; maximum gradient : 8.6%. Distance 21.3 km ; height gain 756 m. - Col de la Madeleine (1993 m) hors catégorie
Distance 25,3 km average gradient 6,2 % ; height gain. : 1585 m - Les lacets de Montvernier: Les lacets de Montvernier isn't a col but is noteworthy thanks to its tightly packed string of 17 hairpin bends. The bends are no more than a 100 metres apart and it has gradients of between 8-9%. If you have ridden Sa Colobra in Mallorca, you know how amazing this can be. Put on your climbing legs!
3.4 km, average gradient 7.3%, elevation gain: 505 m - Col du Télégraphe, 1st category (1566 m), 12 km, average gradient 7%, height gain 851 metres
- Col du Galibier (2646 m) hors catégorie
18.1 km, average gradient 6.9%, elevation gain: 1245 m - Col du Lautaret (2058 m)
We descend towards it from col du Galibier and then further down towards Briançon - Col d'Izoard (2360 m)
Average gradient: 5.7%, maximum gradient : 9.4%. Distance 20 km ; height gain 1141 m. - Col de Vars (2108 m)
Average gradient: 5.7%, maximum gradient : 8.7%. Distance 19.4 km ; height gain 1111 m - Col de la Bonette (2802 m) hors catégorie
Average gradient: 6.6%, maximum gradient: 9%. Distance 24,1 km ; height gain 1589 m ; the highest asphalted road in France and the highest through road in Europe - Col St Martin (1500 m) : 1st category
16.5 km, average gradient 6.2%, elevation gain 1018 m - Col de Turini (1607 m) 1st category
Average gradient: 5.2%, maximum gradient : 9.3%. Distance 15.3 km ; height gain 1107 m - Col de Castillon (707 m) 3rd category
Average gradient: 5.1%, maximum gradient : 6.8%. Distance 7 km ; height gain 349 m
Prices and dates

Prices shown per person sharing (pps) are based on 7 nights, double occupancy, half board, support, food & drinks during the rides, airport transfers in Geneva and Nice
EB* = Early Bird for deposit received before 31.10.2025 R** = regular price from 01.11.2025
Geneva to Nice Cycle: from Sat 13th to Sat 20th June 2026
7 nights, sharing en-suite room
Only 15 places available on this epic week (to guarantee the quality of the service!)
EB* 2,719 €/pps
R** 2,919 €/pps
Deposit 500 €/pps
Single supplement: 69 €/night
Please read the Geneva to Nice Terms and Conditions prior to booking.
What's included / not included
What's Included
- Group transfers airport-hotel-airport for you and your bike, in Geneva and Nice on Saturdays of arrival and departure within a predefined time window (check recommended flight details)
- Transfer bike boxes from Geneva to Nice and daily luggage transport
- 7 nights HB
- Foods during the rides: lunch, water, energy bars & gels, other snacks & drinks
- Transport for you and your bike should you wish to have a shorter day or experience difficulty
- Mechanical assistance for your bike
- Secure overnight bike storage
- Martin and Thierry on the bike with you for pacing and coaching
- Flora's organisational and logistical talents and stretching if time allows
Not Included
- Flights
- Single Supplement
- Drinks during the meals and other private expenses
- Sports massage available in certain hotels. Fees apply
- Private medical & Travel insurance
- Bike hire is not totally unavailable for this trip, but not easy.
Services & Information
Accommodation details

We'll stay in 7 different hotels on our ride through the Alps, most of them are very good 3 star houses. The rooms are en-suite.
All hotels have been selected and visited by SportActive and have been used in our previous Geneva to Nice tours.
The dinner menus are pre-planned for the whole week in order to enjoy diversified dishes. Breakfasts are suited to cyclists' needs with cereals, eggs, ham, cheese, fresh fruit etc. We even organize your porridge, should we make it ourselves in the kitchen! (it happens!)
Sports massage is available on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. Sunday & Monday the masseurs comes to the hotel; Tuesday the hotel has a Spa with masseurs on site. We need to pre-book the massages, of course.
Your hotels of the week are the following:
- Hôtel**** La Ferme du Lac
- Hôtel Radiana***
- Hôtel de l'Europe*** St Jean de Maurienne
- Lautaret Lodge & Spa
- Aztéca Hôtel ***
- Hotel Le Saint Sebastien-Vesubie
- Hôtel Prince de Galles ****
Flights & Airport Transfers

2026 Flight info
The flights to use for this holiday, if flying from Ireland, are the following:
June 2026
- Outbound - Sat 13/6/2026 Dublin to Geneva Cointrin airport with Aer Lingus: flight EI684, 13:15 - 16:30
- Homebound - Sat 20/6/2026 Nice to Dublin with Aer Lingus: flight EI545, 15:20 - 17:00
- Group airport transfers will be organised for the above indicated flights.
If flying to Geneva from other airports, landing around 12:00 would be convenient; we'll arrange an additional transfer to the hotel.
When departing from Nice on Saturday (the homebound date), we'll organize group airport transfers for flights departing earliest at 15:00.
Should your flight be at a later time or date or very early morning, we'll help you organise your airport transfer.
It is best and easiest for you to book the flights yourself.
Weather & seasonality

Due to high altitude temperature and weather can change quickly. It can be 30 °C in the valley to lower than 10 °C on top of the climbs.
We advise taking a range of warm clothing including:
- Leggings,
- Arm warmers
- Gilet
- Long sleeve wind/rain jacket
- Light long finger gloves
- Overshoes
Thunderstorms are likely to happen in this season. Be prepared!

Request my Holiday Details
Download the Brochure
You can download the Geneva to Nice over 'La Route des Grandes Alpes' PDF brochure :

Testimonials
Testimonials
Dear Sportactive team,
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could take up such a challenge that is Geneva Nice. I would like thank you all, Flora, Martin and Thierry for your incredible support and professionalism.
I doubted myself as to whether or not I had the legs for this. I figured that if you had faith in me I should also.
Thank you for a wonderful week that I will never forget.
Guylaine Letendre - Quebec - Canada - Wonderful and challenging Geneva Nice
Testimonials
This was my sixth trip with Sportactive, the support they give is, as always, superb.
Advice, technical assistance, pacing (very important on long climbs), food, hotels are provided in a personalised and thoughtful, ’sympa' way.
Everyone gets to ride at their best and at the pace they prefer. I was very lucky again this year to be in the presence of other experienced, well-prepared cyclists.
We had fun on the road and over the nourishing French cuisine in the evenings.
Seamus Shortall - Dublin – Ireland - Geneva to Nice 2016











