Variante Lescheraines / Beaufort-sur-Doron

This is a beautiful linking stage on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, marked by the crossing of the Bauges Range, with its Global Geopark, and the discovery of the former Winter Olympics town of Albertville, as well as the climb to the Beaufortain Range. There’s just one pass along the way – the Col du Frêne (950m), gateway to and from the Massif des Bauges, the climb much more challenging when tackled from the south. To avoid the main road between Albertville and Beaufort-sur-Doron, take the short alternative route via the Col des Cyclotouristes (1330m).

From Lescheraines to Beaufort-sur-Doron via the Bauges Range and the Col du Frêne

Route North / South

From Lescheraines, you cross the Bauges via Le Châtelard and École and then reach the foot of the climb to the Col du Frêne pass (950m), which isn’t too bad to cycle up via this side. Then there’s a lovely descent to Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny, in the Combe de Savoie (a dramatic dry valley). Next, head on to Albertville before climbing towards Villard-sur-Doron and, finally, Beaufort-sur-Doron.

Route South / North

From Beaufort-sur-Doron, cycle to Villard-sur-Doron, then on to Albertville. From Albertville, follow the direction of Grenoble through the Combe de Savoie, up to Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny, at the foot of the Col du Frêne (950m). To reach this pass involves a substantial climb of 545m before you enter the Bauges Range, heading on to Lescheraines via École and Le Châtelard.

Don’t miss

• Château de Miolans (Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny): the château’s original medieval keep dates from the 12th century and looks dramatically down on the Combe de Savoie. From 1564 to 1792 the keep served as a prison and counted the Marquis de Sade among its inmates.
• Albertville and Conflans: to go from touring the former Winter Olympics town of Albertville to exploring the medieval village of Conflans, you just need to cross the bridge over the Arly River!
• Savoie wines: these come from the wine villages of Montmélian, Arbin, Cruet and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte – all the vines in the Combe de Savoie valley grow at an altitude of between 250m and 500m, on the steep slopes of the Bauges Range.