Tour de France iconic stages

Mont Ventoux is a must-do challenge for every seasoned cyclist. This iconic peak soaring to a height of 1,910 metres offers several access roads: the most famous starts out from Bédoin, climbing approximately 21 km with an elevation gain of 1,589 metres. The route is classified as “very difficult” and demands rigorous preparation, as it combines a constant slope and frequent winds typical of Mont Ventoux. You can also tackle the climb from Malaucène, of similar difficulty, or Sault, where the route is slightly longer but slightly easier. This legendary climb, first featured in the Tour de France in 1951, attracts cyclists from the world over, all eager to conquer the “Giant of Provence”.

Today, you’ll be leaving Bédoin and heading to the roads of the Verdon, offering striking contrasts with the lunar landscapes of Mont Ventoux. Here, the relief is carved out around an impressive canyon of dizzy limestone cliffs and natural belvederes, forged by the river over thousands of years. The roads of the Verdon are renowned for their winding layout, sweeping panoramic vistas and varied atmospheres. Featured several times on the Tour de France, they embrace the curves of the canyon, Europe’s largest, and alternate high balconies and more easy-going sections across plateaux. With its sheer cliff faces and turquoise waters, the Verdon offers a spectacular setting, combining challenging cycling and beautiful scenery. In the evening you’ll be heading to Castellane, a pretty village blending Alpine and Provençal charm.

Col d’Allos marks the gateway to the high mountains. Soaring to an altitude of 2,247 metres, the pass spans the upper Verdon area and Ubaye valley and is regularly featured on the Tour de France. Very demanding, Col d’Allos is prized for its authentic character and virgin scenery. The narrow, winding road to the pass snakes its way across forests and high-altitude meadows before emerging onto rocky terrain as the summit approaches. The slope is steady but constant, with various sections requiring a lot of stamina and careful pacing. The view from the summit of Col d’Allos embraces the Southern Alps and heralds a fairly tricky descent towards Barcelonnette, in the heart of Ubaye valley, steeped in a typical mountain atmosphere.

With its colourful stalls, tempting local produce and friendly atmosphere, the Monday market in Forcalquier, in Haute-Provence, is an absolute must. After the market, revel in a delightful walk steeped in history around the old town and citadel. Culinary delights take centre stage in the discreetly charming hilltop village of Banon, home to the Chocolaterie de Banon chocolate maker and Fromagerie de Banon, producing a renowned Protected Designation of Origin goat’s cheese of the same name with its iconic chestnut leaf wrapper. A stone’s throw from the cheese shop lies the legendary Le Bleuet bookshop, a genuine cultural institution that is well worth your time. We recommend prolonging your Luberon tour with a stop-off in Simiane-la-Rotonde, steeped in a peaceful atmosphere and home to a medieval rotunda, before heading further south towards Lourmarin.

Poised at an altitude of 2,108 metres, Col de Vars, connecting Ubaye valley and Guillestre, is a Tour de France classic, featuring regular stretches and more demanding sections in an iconic Southern Alps setting. As you pedal skywards, the forests gradually give way to green alpine pastures. Col de Vars is often a launch pad for the Tour de France’s major mountain stages, hence its forbidding reputation in the cycling world. The finishing line in Guillestre, at the gateway to the Queyras Regional Nature Reserve and at the crossroads of several valleys, marks the transition to the massif’s other major mountain passes.

Col de l’Izoard is one of the most evocative names on the Tour de France. Rising to a height of 2,360 metres, it is famed for its Casse Déserte: a spectacular mineral landscape and genuine geological curiosity consisting of scree and bizarre-shaped rocks. Marking one of the greatest chapters in cycling history, Col de l’Izoard was part of the Tour’s alpine challenges from the earliest years. Its ascent alternating wooded sections and exposed areas demands both endurance and consistency. At the summit, a stele pays tribute to such legendary champions as Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet: all have left their mark here. Finally, the 20-kilometre descent snakes its way down to the fortified town of Briançon, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located a stone’s throw from Briançon and the Italian border, Col de Montgenèvre marks one of the historic passages between France and Italy. Perched between the massifs of Cerces and Queyras, it has featured ten times on the Tour de France since 1949. Its profile is relatively doable versus the other alpine giants, but various sections remain very demanding. Heading south again, towards the inland areas of Nice, two more legendary mountain passes await. Col de Turini, in the heart of Mercantour National Park, is famed for its numerous hairpin bends snaking through forests, making it a popular spot for car rally enthusiasts too. Further south still you’ll come to Col de la Madone, situated just above Menton. Although lower in altitude, it remains a challenging pass often used as a training ground for professional cyclists.