French Alps Bike + Adventure Tour

Meet your guides in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s a quick trip across the border to a tiny French village in the Haute-Savoie, an Alpine region well-known in the winter for its skiing—but today, we’ll get fitted to our bikes and head out to see the Savoie’s lush green hills and mountainous backdrop on two wheels. Warm up with an easy spin on these hushed and reverent roads, reaching the storybook town of Annecy—our home for the next three nights, where our hotel is perched right on the glistening lakefront. It’s hard to ignore the siren song of Annecy’s flower-lined pedestrian bridges, cobblestone streets, and waterfront cafes that earned it the nickname “Venice of the Alps,” so take some time to explore the Vieille Ville (Old Town) before we get to know one another during our first dinner of the week.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Arbusigny, Groisy, Annecy
Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 1,302 feet / 397 meters
Accommodations: Imperial Palace

Begin with breakfast on the hotel’s heavenly terrace and have your coffee with a view over Lake Annecy, the centerpiece of today’s ride. We’ll pedal out through the Old Town to reach a converted rail trail that loops around the entire lake. On this traffic-free bike path, it’s easy to turn our attention to the glacial-blue waters reflecting the magnificent Bornes Massif, the French Prealps that frame its shores. If you’re up for an extra challenge, stick it out for the Côte du Puget climb and earn the right to say you’ve ridden part of the Tour de France route. Whatever you choose, regroup over lunch at a lakefront bistro. This evening, we’ll dive into the nuances of Savoyard cuisine as a local chef takes us through an intimate, multi-course dinner menu.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Saint-Jorioz, Talloires, Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 2,148 feet / 655 meters
Shorter Option: 24 miles / 39 km, elevation gain: 1,030 / 314 meters
Accommodations: Imperial Palace

Today we explore the outskirts of Annecy from two new perspectives—on foot and by boat. First up is hiking the Semnoz plateau, the promontory above Lake Annecy and part of the Bauges Mountain range. As we trek through its high pastures, we’ll encounter cows and catch views of Mont Blanc and the Jura Mountains in the distance. At the end of our hike is a cozy mountain hut where the local cheeses taste extra delicious. In the afternoon, kick off your hiking shoes and put on your swimsuit: we’re headed out with a local boat captain to sail around Lake Annecy. Once we’re back on land, enjoy our last day in Annecy at your leisure and dine on your own in town; your guides can assist with recommendations and reservations.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Semnoz, Sévrier, Annecy
Accomplished: 2-3 hours hiking, 2-3 hours sailing
Accommodations: Imperial Palace

Leave Annecy this morning through a narrow and forested gorge that has long served as the gateway to the Alps. Follow the same route as centuries of Roman armies, medieval pilgrims, and legendary cyclists as we ride into Thônes, a town tucked into a valley of the Haute-Savoie and the base for more than a few big climbs: ours is the Col de la Croix Fry, a pass that climbs almost 3,000 feet at an average gradient of 6.6%. Push up a few more kilometers to reach the Col des Aravis—it’s a challenge, but we’re done for the day once we reach the lovely Alpine village at the top and celebrate with a hearty lunch. From here, transfer the rest of the way to our second and final hotel, a boutique lodge at the base of Mont Blanc. After some recovery at the spa or in the pool beneath the Dômes de Miage mountains, all that’s left to do is enjoy a well-earned, terroir-forward dinner in this luxurious little corner of the world.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Nâves-Parmelan, Thônes, Manigod
Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 2,788 feet / 850 meters
Longer Option: 37 miles / 60 km, elevation gain: 5,484 feet / 1,672 meters
Accommodations: Armancette

Towering over 15,000 feet above sea level, Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Western Europe and its massif presides over parts of France, Switzerland, and Italy. The first recorded expedition to the summit in 1786 is considered a foundational event in modern mountaineering; the region continues to attract climbers and endurance athletes from around the world. Today, we’re among them as we turn our focus to a Mont Blanc hike that has it all: wide-open vistas, meadows in flower, warm breezes, and pure peace—plus a classic wood-and-stone refuge serving traditional Alpine dishes. After lunch, head back to the hotel or finish out a longer loop hike. We’ll regather this evening for a dinner that celebrates the week at a chef-owned farm restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Le Champel, Miage, La Gruvaz
Accomplished: 3-5 hours hiking
Accommodations: Armancette

It’s our last morning among the mountains, and there’s time to linger over breakfast or stretch your legs before a transfer back to Geneva. We’ll send you off to your next destination from the Geneva Cornavin train station.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Geneva