The World's Greatest Bike Race
France 2010! From Lake Geneva to the French Alps
Join us in France and Switzerland to pedal in the same rarefied environment as the world's top cyclists and view firsthand several stages of this incomparable feat of mind and mettle. Watch the drama, joy and heartbreak unfold before you amid spectacular scenery. Tackle some of the event's most exciting miles ahead of the pros, including the challenging climbs to the Station des Rousses finish and the summit of Col des Saisies. This experience of a lifetime is made that much sweeter by the unsurpassed expertise and pampering that you've come to expect from Backroads. Whether you're an avid cyclist, a race enthusiast - or both! - this trip is one you simply cannot miss.
Trip Planning Links
- Experience the electric energy of one of the world's most-watched sporting events
- Tackle legendary alpine climbs just hours before the pros
- Close-up viewing of your favorite cycling heroes in action
- The French and Swiss Alps: spectacular scenery!
- Luxuriate in two elegant retreats featuring stellar cuisine
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Divonne-les-Bains
Meet in Geneva 
Shuttle to Divonne-les-Bains, a French town known for healing spring waters, and bike rolling hills with views of Lake Geneva Ride among the beautiful Jura Mountains and tackle the tough ascent to Station des Rousses to watch the pros hammer across the stage finish line.
Days 3-6 Megeve
Shadowing the peleton, head to the Alps and get your first taste of haute montagne terrain Catch defining moments of the day's stage on rarely visited Col de la Ramaz Explore chic Megève, brimming with fashionable boutiques and outdoor cafés Test your legs on four amazing alpine ascents: Col des Aravis (a feature of this year's race), Col de la Croix Fry (a race challenge in year's past), Col de Marais and Col de l'Epine Take in the breathtaking landscape of rocky peaks, picturesque hamlets, alpine lakes and mountain meadows 
On your way up Col des Saisies, claim your prime viewing spot and cheer allez! allez! as the racers pedal past Savor a last cool-down spin through Megève's gorgeous foothills.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Provence Biking Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking France & Germany BikingOther France Trips
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
The World's Greatest Bike Race
Alpine Elegance: Premiere Inns
Chateau de Divonne
Divonne-les-Bains (2 nights) This elegant 19th-century manor house, nestled amid 54 acres of parkland, features an outdoor pool and terrace overlooking Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.
Hotel Mont-Blanc
Megève (3 nights) Set in the heart of charming Megève, this classy hotel offers cozy guest rooms adorned with rich fabrics, a wood-paneled tearoom known for high-quality brews and 11 types of hot chocolate, a top-notch restaurant and a divine spa.
The World's Greatest Bike Race
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 24 miles
- 375 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 30, 60 miles
- 3160 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 27, 60 miles
- 5880 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 40, 62 miles
- 3730 - 6410 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 35 miles
- 2485 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 12 miles
- 1485 feet elevation gain
Due to the high altitude and mountainous terrain, the routes on this trip may feel more challenging than the mileage alone suggests.