Not for the faint-hearted
Not only is it a truly glorious time of the year to be in the French Alps, but this will also be the race’s highest finishing point of any stage for 25 years. Definitely anticipated to be the crowning glory of the tour and a major highlight for the area and definitely not to be missed by any sporting enthusiast or mere holidaymaker, alike.
On Day 12 (stage 11) the racers will cover 149km from Albertville to Col Du Granon, passing through Serre-Chevalier to a staggering mountain top finish at 2,400m altitude. Day 13 starts in Briançon and ends on the infamous climb and legendary hairpins into Alpe D’Huez, covering 166km of stage 12.
The Tour de France first came to Briançon in 1922, an entire century ago, and only again in 2017, when it was the last mountain stage, from Briançon to Col d’Izoard.
Montgenèvre and Les Alberts are ideally located, making it easy to be part of the action, with Briançon being no more than 20 minutes from Montgenèvre and even less to Les Alberts.
Briançon will also host the amateur cyclists of the 30th L’Étape du Tour de France, on the 10th July, ahead of the Tour de France, hot on the trail, burning up the asphalt a few days later.
This competition for passionate non-professional but serious riders - not yet in one of the elite teams - will cover stage 12 of the Tour de France, between Briançon and Alpe d'Huez, 170 km with more than 4,700m of accumulated elevation including the climbs of the beasts of mountain passes, Col du Galibier near Grenoble and Col de la Croix de Fer.