Frequent questions
- At what time of year can you take the ‘Grande Alpes' Route?
The ‘Grandes Alpes' Route is a high altitude route situated in the mountains, whether it is all open or not depends on the snow conditions. Although most of the passes open at the end of May, the highest- such as the Iseran, the Galibier and the Izoard- are only accessible from mid June and sometimes even after 20th June, if the winter season has lasted longer. The passes are open up until the end of October and generally close after the first snowfalls, which vary according to the altitude, the latitude and the weather. However, it is possible to cover the ‘Grand Alpes' Route in stages and to discover the variants at the bottom of the valleys, outside these periods. In fact, certain passes are open all year such as the Gets, Aravis, Saisies, Telegraphe, Lautaret, Vars, the Couyolle, Saint-Martin, Turini and Castillon passes.
-"How do I know if the passes are open?"
Before leaving, especially in June and October, it is essential to find out if the passes are open to traffic. For this, all you need to do is look at the interactive map of the ‘Grande Alpes' Route. To have more details about the opening and closing dates, you can contact the Tourist Offices situated at the foot of the passes. You can also consult the ‘Infotrafic' site and the heading ‘état des cols'(state of the passes).
How long does it take to cover all the ‘Grandes Alpes'Route?
This depends on the means of transport used, the time taken at each stage, and how quickly you cover the route. It is well to note that 684 kms separate Thonon-les-Bains in High Savoy from Menton in the Alpes Maritime, and that most of the roads are mountain routes, so they are winding. Here as a general indication, is a table summarizing the distances and the time taken depending on whether you are travelling by car, or are on a cycle or a motorbike:
- I am a cyclist, how do I receive the ‘ Borne d'Or' diploma?
Crossing the Alpes from Leman to the Mediterranean just by the strength of your legs is a real exploit that the GTA wishes to recognise by awarding cycling tourists and sportspeople with the ‘Borne d'or' diploma. For this, you simply need to get your ‘Grandes Alpes' Route check card stamped at each stage, that you can either download and print from this link, or request from the GTA, by email or letter to the following address : GTA - 14 rue de la République - BP 227 - 38019 Grenoble Cedex. Once you have completed and returned it to the GTA, you will receive your diploma as soon as possible, immortalizing this mythical journey.
| Km | Cyclo | Moto |
Voiture | |
| De Thonon-les-Bains au Grand Bornand | 80 | 1 jour |
3h | 4h |
| Du Grand Bornand à Bourg-Saint-Maurice |
92 |
1 jour | 2,5h | 3,5h |
| De Bourg-Saint-Maurice à Lanslebourg | 78 | 1 jour | 2,5 h | 3h |
| De Lanslebourg à Briançon |
110 |
1 jour | 2,5h | 3,5h |
| De Briançon à Barcelonnette | 104 |
1 jour |
3,5h | 4h |
| De Barcelonnette à Valberg | 77 | 1 jour | 3h | 3,5h |
| De Valberg à Saint-Martin-Vésubie | 57 | 1 jour |
2,5h |
3h |
| De Saint-Martin-de-Vésubie à Menton | 79 |
1 jour | 2,5h | 3h |
- Is the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route accessible for camper-vans and caravans?
The ‘Grandes Alpes'Route has roads signs for tourists all along its 684 kms of roads, which makes it possible to find your way in both the Thonon-Menton and Menton-Thonon directions. What is more, there is a road map especially for the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route published by IGN in the collection, ‘Découvertes régionales' and which shows, in the same document, the whole of the alpine massif. On sale for 6.40€ in all good bookshops, it gives all the road and geographical information necessary to travel along the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route without any worries. So that you can gain the most benefit from the richness of the culture and heritage on this unique route, you can also buy the Gallimard guide to the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route (19.52€) which will give you the key to a better understanding of all the territory you will go through on the ‘Grandes Alpes'Route. You can order the map and the guide on this page.
- Which are the passes I can go up on the Grandes Alpes Route?
There is a total of 16, 000 metres of differences in height, here is the list of 16 passes on the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route, without counting those situated on the variants to the main route, that is to say : the Croix de Fer at 2068 metres and the Bonette at 2715 metres.
- The Gets (1 170 m)
- The Colombière (1 613 m)
- The Aravis (1 486 m)
- The Saisies (1 633 m)
- The Cormet de Roselend (1 968 m)
- The Iseran (2 764 m)
- The Télégraphe (1 570 m)
- The Galibier (2 677 m)
- The Lautaret (2 058 m)
- The Izoard (2 360 m)
- The Vars (2 111 m)
- The Cayolle (2 327 m)
- The Couillole (1 678 m)
- The St Martin (1500 m)
- The Turini (1 607 m)
- The Castillon (706 m)
- Is it necessary to book the accommodation before taking the route?
So you can enjoy this journey under the best possible conditions, you are advised to book your nights' stays before leaving, particularly during the summer season (between 14th July and 2àth August). More than 90 good addresses have been listed, according to strict quality criteria, all along your route, to ensure that you are given the best welcome: from bed and breakfast accommodation to hotels or youth hostels, do not hesitate to consult our selection under the heading ‘Hébergements' on the ‘Grandes Alpes' Route. A welcome adapted to your needs will be waiting for you whether you are a cyclist, a biker or a motorist.
If you are a cyclist :
- A locked bicycle shed where you can leave your bicycle
- Facilities for washing your bicycle
- A meal adapted to your physical effort
- Adapted tools are available
- Proposition of a laundry service
If you are a biker :
- An accessible lockable garage
- A changing room and a drying room
- Facilities for washing your motorbike
- Adapted tools are available
- A laundry Service
If you are a driver :
- A Locked garage
- In the case of breakdown, you will be put in touch with a car repairer
- A laundry Service