Le Grand-Bornand
Aravis village and resort
Massif des Aravis
Département et Région : Haute-Savoie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Principal passes : col de la Colombière, col des Annes
Stage on Route des Grandes Alpes® : from Cluses to Grand-Bornand,from Grand-Bornand to Beaufort-sur-Doron, variant Le Grand-Bornand to Lescheraines
Stage on Route des Grandes Alpes ® Gravel : from Cluses to Le Grand-Bornand, from Grand-Bornand to Flumet
Summary
- Suggestions for cycling loops
- Our major passes
- Events around cycling
- Biking in Grand-Bornand
- Summer in Grand-Bornand
- Other seasons
- Other events
- Services
- Témoignages
- FAQ
- Access
- Contacts
- Other villages and resorts near Le Grand-Bornand
Suggestions for cycling loops in Le Grand-Bornand
After crossing the famous col de La Colombière, Route des Grandes Alpes ® first passes through Le Grand-Bornand-Chinaillon, before arriving in the heart of the village, a regular stage on the Tour de France. To make the pleasure last, we suggest the Col des Annes route, 24 km return. An ascent of 800 m D+ with a splendid balcony overlooking the Aravis range, in the heart of the mountain pastures that produce farmhouse Reblochon cheese. Don't miss the potato fritters at the summit. They're worth the detour!
More coolly, from the church in Le Grand-Bornand, we recommend a short 15 km round trip, without much change in altitude, to the Auberge nordique, at the bottom of the Vallée du Bouchet. Magnificent!
Our major moutain passes
In the shadow of the famous col de la Colombière, Col des Annes is the other Bornandin pass. Closing off the Bouchet valley, which stretches the length of the Aravis range from which it reserves the most spectacular view, it is both a walking goal in itself and the starting point for hiking trails through the massif dominated by Pointe Percée, the highest point in the commune of Le Grand-Bornand (2750 m).
The ascent, over 11 km and 800 m of ascent from the village, offers gradients of up to 12.5% on the final 500 m. Suffice it to say that the region's best potato fritters - among other specialties offered by the alpine chalets enlivening the hamlet nestled in the indentation of the pass - are well deserved!
Events around cycling
Already 8 times a stage town for the Grande Boucle since 1995, Le Grand-Bornand will have the honor of hosting this summer (2024) The Tour de France Femmes with Zwift by hosting the Champagnole/Le Grand-Bornand stage finish on Saturday August 17, as well as the departure of the peloton to L'Alpe d'Huez the following day. The promise of an epic spectacle at the end of the longest stage of the 3rd edition of this hugely successful competition, before the ascent on Sunday to its highest point with the Col du Glandon, followed by the 21 laces of L'Alpe d'Huez in apotheosis.
This new hosting of the Tour reinforces the resort's intense cycling culture carried forward, among others, by its dynamic Vélo-Club, organizer of successful races such as the "La Grand-Bo" cyclosportive.
Other summer highlights:
"La Grand-Bo"Sunday June 23 and the cycling climb "Le Bouquetin" Thursday August 15.
Coming back in winter
Skiing at sunset facing the Aravis range, strolling between its ancient chalets, meeting its farmers, artists and craftsmen and meeting up over a famous farmhouse Reblochon: these are all the moments that make a winter vacation in Le Grand-Bornand a unique experience... and help make it a place that belongs to us all a little. With its unspoilt village life, its open panoramas, its varied ski area for all levels of skiers, giving everyone access to the most spectacular viewpoints, its skiing that's both sporty and contemplative among fir trees, chalets and chapels, Le Grand-Bornand attracts lovers of nature and discovery...
Le Grand-Bornand is a snowpark regularly ranked among the 10 most reputed in France, a committed freeride area, a mythical piste : the Dénivel'Maxx with its 3 km length and 1100m vertical drop, the biathlon experience in the heart of the resort, host of the French round of the World Cup... But also the whole range of Nordic and alternative activities...
With the region's most beautiful view of the Aravis mountain range, its fine restaurants, discovering the secrets of Reblochon cheese on the farm, or on the stalls of a market dating back to 1795 where you can savour other local specialities, Le Grand-Bornand has something to appeal to the widest possible audience.
Other events
- Glisse en Coeur (March): the French mountain charity event
- Au bonheur des Mômes (August): international festival for young audiences
- French leg of the BMW-IBU Biathlon World Cup (December)
Services
A lively year-round village, Le Grand-Bornand offers the full range of shops and services typical of a town center with over 25,000 tourist beds. 142 shops including 4 mini-markets, 48 bars and restaurants, post office, bus station, free public transport (bus), electric vehicle charging station, numerous sports and leisure facilities, etc.
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Testomonials
"What a joy to be at Le Gd Bo! We enjoy every day in this little green paradise" Sophie M. and family
"One of the most beautiful corners of the Alps, a true Haut-Savoyard authenticity" Olivier Blanchard
"The misty climb to the Col de la Colombière was magical. It's a magnificent pass, ideal to climb it by bike at the moment" Camille Benoît-Gonin
"A mythical pass for those who love cycling and I take my leave of these cyclists" (about the Col de la Colombière) Sandia Tazi
"Wonderful memories even if a little painful on the climb" (about the Col de la Colombière) Seb. Perrier
FAQ
- What is the emblematic cheese of Grand-Bornand?
The reblochon! The cradle of farmhouse reblochon, mentioned on the Annes mountain pastures from the 13th century onwards, Le Grand-Bornand, the leading agricultural commune in the Haute-Savoie department, still boasts 35 working farms today, totaling over a hundred jobs. 2 million reblochons, equivalent to 32% of the total production of the PDO reblochon fermier zone, leave the Grand-Bornand cellars alone every year... - In what discipline is Le Grand-Bornand the only French resort able to organize world-class events?
Biathlon! The resort boasts the only Olympic standards-approved stadium, which since 2013 has successfully hosted the French World Cup round of this popular discipline driven by the talents of the French Team. More than 60,000 spectators regularly attend the event.... - What is the highest point in Le Grand-Bornand?
It's Pointe Percée, the highest peak in the commune of Le Grand-Bornand (alt. 2750m), but also the highest point in the Aravis mountain range and therefore in the Annecy Mountain area. - How does Le Grand-Bornand shine (in addition to the Tour de France and the Biathlon World Cup!) on the sporting front?
As the French resort with the highest number of skiers on the World Cup circuit every winter in all disciplines, Le Grand-Bornand is a land of champions, as illustrated by the career of Tessa Worley, twice Giant Slalom World Champion in 2013 and 2017. The resort boasts a total of 16 Olympic and Paralympic medals, 16 world championship titles and 7 Crystal Globes!
Access
Motorway access
- A41 freeway, Annecy Nord exit: 32km. Follow Thônes, Aravis resorts
- A40 freeway, Bonneville exit: 20km. Follow stations des Aravis
By train
- Annecy TGV station: 32km
- Valserhône TGV station: 72km
Airport:
- Geneva-Cointrin International Airport: 50km
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport: 150km
Contacts
☎ 04 50 02 78 00 www.legrandbornand.com infos@legrandbornand.com
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