Stunning Switzerland and Majestic French Alps TDF 2022
Up in the high mountain pastures the colorful Tour de France peloton races the Alpine roads, the atmosphere is electric, roadside cheering, take your action picture of the stars of cycling in July 2022, the French Alps full of colour, emotion, the Swiss mountain peaks shimmer your unforgettable Ultimate TDF cycling experience awaits with Practice Bicycle Tours.
Take a look at our exciting Premium the Best of the Swiss & French Alps Tour de France Packages.
TOUR DE FRANCE 2022 Switzerland
Thursday 7th July – Arrival Day – Bulle Switzerland
*Ride options:
Distance 20km/12mi Ascent 180m/600ft route Maison Cailler
Distance 45km/28mi Ascent 450m/1500ft route Lac de la Gruyere
Includes: Geneva Airport Transfer, Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Non-Cycling Guests: Share the spectacular tour day in Switzerland
Welcome to Switzerland and your unique opportunity at the Tour de France 2022. This morning the team will collect you from Geneva Airport (Switzerland) with a vehicle transfer to the wonderful Swiss town of Bulle in the district of Gruyère, your one location cycling base for the next 5 days.
Switzerland has got to be one of the most exhilarating countries in the world, where all your senses are heightened to new levels and the memorable moments start from the moment you arrive, and continue until the moment you leave. Enjoy these very first amazing sights as we circumnavigate Lake Geneva or Lac Leman as the locals like to call it. This magnificent crescent shaped lake between Switzerland and France will be your backdrop for your Tour de France cycling holiday in Switzerland.
Once checked in at the Hotel we’ll take a welcome ride together stopping at Maison Cailler, the world class chocolatier for an obligatory Swiss chocolate tasting, every kitchen in Switzerland has a chocolate draw, so when in Switzerland do as the Swiss do!
Complete the perfect opening day at your 2022 Tour de France with a Welcome glass of Vaud wine together followed by dinner of the best flavours of Switzerland.
*Ride Options are led by the Practice Bicycle highly experienced cycling guides, with a unique skill set for the perfect tailored ride each day, in addition the option of enjoying the comfort of the support vehicle and all the spectacle of the day at a more leisurely pace should you wish.
Friday 8th July – Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site
*Ride Options:
Distance 36km/22mi Ascent 375m/1200ft route Chateaux du Oron
Distance 55km/34mi Ascent 546m/1800ft route Grandvaux
Distance 97km/60mi Ascent 830m/2700ft route Mont Pelerin
Includes: Breakfast, Swiss Gourmet Restaurant Lunch
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the tour day and Lavaux wine region
The Tour de France peloton is fast approaching Switzerland and will be live on our roads tomorrow. This is perfect timing as we have an amazing day of cycling adventures together on the pristine roads of Switzerland and the terraces of the Lavaux wine region.
With no time constraints choose your perfect Swiss cycling route as we explore this remarkable countryside, sometimes you must pinch yourself that you are riding, the pedals turn easier than normal when your distracted by such spectacular views. It may seem like we’re heading downhill all the way to Lake Geneva, although the Mont Pelerin route reminds us, we are cycling in the Swiss Alps.
The panoramic views to the south are one of the many reasons this is a special cycling destination with the snow-capped French Alps and Mont Blanc (4807m) the highest peak in Europe.
Great days of bike riding with Practice Bicycle always deserve a great reward, today we will be on the terrasses of Lavaux, in the picturesque village of Grandvaux, in the heart of Vaud wine region where the wine tradition dates back to Roman times. It’s time for a relaxing lunch with a view…
We will transfer by vehicle back to Bulle for you to enjoy a relaxing evening of your choice.
Saturday 9th July – View Tour de France Stage 8 Dole – Lausanne
*Ride Options:
Distance 44km/27mi Ascent 340m/1100ft route Lausanne
Distance 85km/53mi Ascent 1350m/4400ft route Col du Mont d’Orzeires (1000m)
Distance 130km/80mi Ascent 1700m/5600ft route Cote du Stade Olympic Lausanne (604m)
Includes: Breakfast, TDF Culinary Restaurant Lunch on Lac Leman
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the tour day in the canton of Vaud
This is the day we have been waiting for, the Tour de France live from the roadside in Switzerland in 2022.
The stage 8 route brings the peloton across the Jura Mountains region of Switzerland, through the Vallée de Joux before arriving on the shores of Lake Geneva and the final kilometers of action and the summit finish at the Lausanne Olympic Stadium.
The city of Lausanne is the home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, as well as the Olympic Museum, pick your choice of great rides on offer as we join the Tour de France live in Switzerland.
The challenging route available to you heads to the shores of Lac de Joux close to the border with France, this high valley peaks at 1000m before passing by Mont Tendre the tallest peak in the Jura Mountains. For those wishing to safe a little energy for the afternoon, the comfortable ride route picks up the final 30km of the Tour de France route along the shore of Lake Geneva before arriving at all the spectacle and excitement of the Tour de France finish line atmosphere.
The value is in the detail and with the local knowledge of the Practice Bicycle team they have it covered, it was on these same roads in 1997 at the World Triathlon Championships where the fun all began. Since those early days, Switzerland has remained a frequent cycling destination for the Practice Bicycle team located in Annecy, just south of Geneva.
Relax and make your own memories with an exciting afternoon in Lausanne, TDF lunch on Lac Leman and all the buzz of being apart of the greatest sporting event in the world, in the most amazing location in the world.
Sunday 10th July – View Tour de France Stage 9 Aigle – Chatel (Alps)
*Ride Options:
Distance 42km/26mi Ascent 850m/2800ft route Col des Moses (1445m
Distance 70km/43mi Ascent 1540m/5000ft route Les Diablerets
Distance 95km/60mi Ascent 1960m/6400ft route Col de la Croix (1778m
Includes: Breakfast, Swiss Alps Restaurant Lunch
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the Tour Day & spectacular TDF Action in the Swiss Alps!
The Tour de France professional peloton will be looking forward to their rest day on Monday but first there could be a shake up in the general classification and the wearer of this years yellow jersey.
With 4 categorised mountains during todays stage 9 route the race action will be electric through the Vaud Alps of Switzerland before the race finishes back on French soil in the ski resort of Chatel.
We’ll also be feeling the excitement with our final ride together, starting once more from your hotel this morning we’ll be experiencing the Vaud Mountains for ourselves.
This carefully designed itinerary allows for all our guests to maximize their cycling pleasure during your cycling vacation to the Tour de France. This doesn’t mean we have left the best for last or possibly the most challenging, although this is certainly a day of magnificent climbing.
Guided by some very experienced legs, pick your ride distance in this superb cycling region, and enjoy one last time pedalling in the Swiss Alps to make it your perfect cycling day at the Tour de France in 2022. With the challenge over, refuel with a well-deserved Alpine lunch, celebrate this amazing event roadside with the publicity caravan and all the very best cyclists in the world at the Tour de France in Switzerland.
Distance 34km/21mi Ascent 800m Monday 11th July – TDF Switzerland & French Alps Package Transfer Day
Morning *Ride Options:
Distance 80km/50mi Ascent 185m/600ft route Lake Geneva
Afternoon *Ride Options:
Distance 38km/23mi Ascent 510m/1600ft route Lacets de Montvernier (782m)
Distance 58km/36mi Ascent 1250m/4100ft route Col du Chaussy (1533m)
Includes: Breakfast, Switzerland – French Alps Transfer
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the Tour Day & spectacular vehicle transfer
For those guests enjoying our Tour de France Switzerland & French Alps 9-day package this will be your transfer day from Switzerland to the French Alps. It may also be the perfect opportunity for you to join the Tour de France peloton with a ‘Jour de repos’ day of rest and enjoy the spectacular views as we transfer by vehicle from Bulle to the Maurienne valley in the heart of the French Alps.
For those guests who have chosen Practice Bicycle for their very own challenging Tour de France bike tour experience, with a solid block of uninterrupted cycling, we certainly have that covered with unique and spectacular ride options available for you today.
Why not ride in Switzerland and France with our Lake Geneva route including a café stop on the Montreux Riviera. Maybe it’s a double header unique challenge you’re looking for with the Swiss Lakes in the morning and the French Alps in the afternoon. Join Practice Bicycle at the 2022 Tour de France for the best of two countries.
TOUR DE FRANCE 2022 French Alps
Monday 11 July – Arrival Day – Maurienne Valley French Alps
*Ride options:
Distance 38km/23mi Ascent 510m/1600ft route Lacets de Montvernier (782m)
Distance 58km/36mi Ascent 1250m/4100ft route Col du Chaussy (1533m)
Includes: Geneva Airport Transfer, Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Non-Cycling Guests: Share the spectacular tour day in the Maurienne Valley
Welcome to the Tour de France 2022 in the French Alps, this morning we meet and greet at Geneva Airport (Switzerland) and vehicle transfer south to the Maurienne Valley and your one location cycling base for the next 5 days.
We are here to assist you with your hotel check in and to prepare the bikes for a wonderful and spectacular cycling vacation. Our first ride together will blow away your travels and ensure that the bikes are also running perfectly as we enjoy the valley roads, fresh mountain air and alpine peaks, just perfect. This is also the ideal opportunity to experience the amazing switchback roads of the Lacets de Montvernier (782m 3.4km @ 8.2%), you could call it a baby alpe d’Huez!
This will be part of the Tour de France stage 10 route in 2 days’ time, on the previous edition this road was blocked to everyone including cyclists, So, a unique opportunity not to be missed.
For anyone wishing to flex their muscles from day one press on upwards following the valley rock wall to the summit of a previous Tour de France challenge, the Col du Chaussy (1533m 15.4km @ 6.3%).
Complete the perfect opening day at your 2022 Tour de France with a Welcome Aperitif together followed by gastronomique dinner to experience the best flavours of French cuisine!
*Ride Options are led by the Practice Bicycle highly experienced cycling guides, with a unique skill set for the perfect tailored ride each day, in addition the option of enjoying the comfort of the support vehicle and all the spectacle of the day at a more leisurely pace should you wish.
Tuesday 12th July – View Tour de France Stage 10 Morzine – Megeve (Alps)
*Ride Options:
/2600ft route Albertville
Distance 48km/29mi Ascent 1100m/3600ft route Montee de Megeve (1460m)
Distance 107km/66mi Ascent 1305m/4300ft route Gorges de l’Arly
Includes: Breakfast, TDF Gourmet Restaurant Lunch
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the tour day and chic Megeve
Here it is what we’ve all been waiting for live action of the Tour de France 2022 from the roadside with the finish in the beautiful town of Megeve! With over 20 years of French Alps cycling experience with Practice Bicycle all our guests have come to expect the perfect tailored rides. With 3 great ride options available all magnificent, so pick how much time you want to spend in the saddle to catch up with Le Tour!
The TDF professionals will use today to test their legs for the next 2 huge high mountain stages to follow, and the fight for vital seconds will start on the slopes of Megeve. Our amazing valley rides will also be the perfect preparation for the Grand Alps tomorrow, show casing this spectacular cycling area with a variety of terrain is why we keep coming back for more. The flat open valley floor of the Tarentaise valley, contrasts with the vertical rock walls of the Gorges de l’Arly. It’s brilliant cycling with a gradual climb all the way to Megeve, the reward for cycling of this quality is this chic resort town of Megeve with its authentic Savoyard charm.
With the value in the detail your local support team have the perfect spot ready for you; kick back from the roadside with an amazing gourmet lunch experience and take in the entire spectacle that is the Tour de France.
Once all the action and entertainment has finished, we will transfer by vehicle back to Saint Jean de Maurienne for you to enjoy a relaxing evening in the Alps.
Wednesday 13th July – View Tour de France Stage 11 Albertville – Col du Granon (Alps)
*Ride Options:
Distance 31km/19mi Ascent 1064m/3400ft route Col du Telegraphe (1566m)
Distance 36km/22mi Ascent 1200m/3900ft route Valloire
Distance 70km/44mi Ascent 2250m/7300ft route Col du Galibier (2642m)
Includes: Breakfast, TDF Alpine Culinary Restaurant Lunch
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the tour day in Valloire Grand Alps
Today the Yellow Jersey battle hot’s up with the professional peloton hitting the high Alps for two consecutive decisive alpine stages, including the incredible challenge of back to back ascents of the Giant of the Alps, the Galibier.
Flexibility with our premium small group allows for the best ride options, this includes riding from your hotel each day the perfect cycling holiday as we catch up with the spectacle of the Tour live in the high French Alps.
For all cycling fans, it’s the pinnacle to watch live the best cyclists in the world on the most majestic cycling roads in the world.
Why not test your legs with one of the classic cycling challenges of all time…the Col du Galibier (2642m 35km @ 5.5%) this one is for the mountain goats who love to climb then the summit awaits you, before descending in time for an Alpine recovery lunch! If you’d prefer to pace your legs then the Col du Telegraphe (1566m 11.8km @ 7.3%) is a perfect challenge, whichever you decide it will be a great day at the 2022 Tour de France.
Once refreshed we are at the ideal spot with time to relax, recover and enjoy the rest of this special day in the wonderful ski village of Valloire in the heart of the French Alps and all the excitement of this years’ Tour de France.
Relax with an aperitive in true French style before we transfer by vehicle back to your hotel in Saint Jean de Maurienne.
Thursday 14th July – View Tour de France Stage 12 Briancon – Alpe d’Huez (Alps)
*Ride Options:
Distance 22km/14mi Ascent 1070m/3500ft route Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves (1486m)
Distance 38km/24mi Ascent 1670m/5500ft route Col de la Croix der Fer (2067m)
Distance 75km/46mi Ascent 2760m/9000ft route Col du Glandon (1925m)
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, TDF Alps Restaurant Lunch
Non-Cycling Guests: Share all the Tour Day & spectacular TDF Action in the High Alps!
After yesterday’s high altitude Tour de France action what can we expect from the Professional peloton with this second gigantic day in the French Alps! Fatigue will be taking its toll and possibly a general classification contender could go for glory on Bastille Day this French Holiday, Fête nationale the 14th of July.
This is also our last ride opportunity together at the 2022 Tour de France, with several days of riding you can really appreciate the benefits of riding from your hotel each morning and the extra rest that our proven formula of ‘Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday’ allows.
We’re cycling deep into the High Alps and for those with strong legs all the way to the summit of the Col de la Croix der Fer (2067m), on top of the world…it has to be experienced to be believed!
For the tired legs the cycling gods have been kind and made these roads with sections to get your breath back before arriving at the perfect ‘Unique live viewing spot’ and the Practice Bicycle formula of hearty mountain lunch!
Once refreshed we are at the ideal spot with time to relax and enjoy the rest of this special day, join the roadside party with the publicity caravan throwing its goodies in all directions before the real show begins and the weary warriors of the road show their climbing skills with one last memorable moment to absorb the professional peloton in the French Alps during this year’s Tour de France!