All Routes in France
Menton Cols Loop
A perfect introduction to the roads behind Menton. This 61km loop crosses two categorised climbs — Col de Vescavo and Col de Castillon — and takes you across the Italian border before returning through the medieval village of Sospel, with its famous 14th-century toll bridge.
Col de Turini & Col de Braus
Four categorised climbs. 159 kilometres. 3,360 metres of elevation. From Menton via Monaco to Col de Turini at 1,604m, descending through Nice and climbing Col d'Eze before returning along the Corniche. Also rideable from Nice — one of the finest cycling days on the French Riviera.
Col de la Madone Classic
Lance Armstrong used this climb as his personal benchmark for Tour de France readiness. Trek named a bike after it. Tadej Pogačar holds the Strava KOM at 31:38. Col de la Madone is 13km of spectacular climbing above Menton, passing through Saint-Agnès — one of the most beautiful villages in France — with views of the Mediterranean throughout. A route through Monaco on the return makes this one of the most glamorous days in cycling.
French Riviera Cycling — Col de Vence & Gourdon Loop
A 109 km loop from the coast at Cagnes-sur-Mer up to the clifftop village of Gourdon, then over Col de Vence at 962 m and back down through the medieval town of Vence. The two real climbs are spread far enough apart that the legs have time to recover, but the final ramps to the col bite. Best as an early-summer ride — the south-facing slopes catch the heat fast.
French Riviera Cycling — Vence & Gourdon Loop
A classic and demanding loop from the Mediterranean coast into the mountains behind Nice and Antibes — combining two of the most celebrated climbs on the French Riviera in a single day. From Cagnes-sur-Mer at sea level, the route climbs first to the medieval town of Vence, then continues to the spectacular perched village of Gourdon at the highest point of the route, before sweeping back down to the coast. Gourdon is one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the entire Riviera — a village on a clifftop with a 360-degree panorama stretching from the Alps to the Mediterranean. At 82 kilometres with 1,476 metres of climbing, this is a shorter but punchy alternative to the longer Col de Vence loop, and an ideal route for riders wanting to experience the best of the Riviera hinterland without committing to a full day.
Milano–San Remo Cycling Route — Cipressa & Poggio
Ride the closing kilometres of one of cycling's oldest and most prestigious Monuments. From Menton, follow the coast into Italy and return on the same roads that decide Milano–San Remo each March — including the Cipressa (where Eddy Merckx, Fausto Coppi and Giuseppe Saronni made their marks) and the Poggio, the decisive climb where Nibali, Mohoric and Pogačar have launched their winning attacks. A 24km converted railway cycling path along the Ligurian coast adds a unique dimension to the day.
Col du Galibier & Col du Télégraphe
Back-to-back HC climbs out of the Maurienne: the Télégraphe first, a quick drop into Valloire, then the long grind up the Galibier to 2642 m. 88.9 km, 2846 m of climbing, and one of the great high-alpine days in European cycling.
Col de la Madeleine
A 39.6 km loop over the Col de la Madeleine with 1,523 m of climbing — a hors catégorie Tour de France classic from the Maurienne floor at La Chambre up the D213 to 2,000 m, where the view across to Mont Blanc steals whatever breath the heat has left you.
Col de la Croix de Fer og Col du Glandon
Two bucket-list Tour de France cols linked in a single 79.1 km loop out of Bourg-d'Oisans, with 1,896 m of climbing that stacks the Glandon and the Croix de Fer back-to-back before dropping you past turquoise reservoirs to the valley floor.
Alpe d’Huez & Col de Sarenne
A 51.2 km loop out of Bourg d'Oisans with 1683 m of climbing that pairs the 21 lacets of Alpe d'Huez with the wild, quiet Col de Sarenne at 1999 m. A Tour de France pilgrimage that turns into a proper high-mountain loop.
Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine & Col des Saisies
A 70.2 km Savoie loop with 1,671 m of climbing that links two ascents from Stage 19 of the 2025 Tour de France: the Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine and the Col des Saisies. Pro-race tarmac, fresh paint still on the road.
Aime - La Plagne
A proper Tour de France climb from the Isère valley up to La Plagne: 41.8 km and 1,467 m of ascent on freshly laid tarmac, hairpin after hairpin through Savoyard forest and ski-station meadow, then a fast, flowing descent back to Aime.