On the road of Tour de France 2023, challenge the giant of Bugey: 18.5 kilometers, 1262 meters of elevation gain, with a maximum percentage of 14%! Free event,open for all, car-free road only for cyclists.
Climb the legendary Grand Colombier on a closed road every second Saturday of the month in summer! Carfree, open to all without registration.
One of the most difficult climb in France to (re)discover during these real cycling festivals!
Culminating at an altitude of 1,501 meters, the Grand Colombier offers an exceptional panorama: 360° view of the Alps and Mont Blanc, of Valromey as well as of the Bourget, Annecy and Geneva lakes.
Composed of 4 different roads, the climb of the Grand Colombier from Culoz is known to be difficult, hot, very spectacular and aerial with an incomparable view of Lake Bourget, the Rhône, Bugey and the Belledonne massif from its famous hairpins.
Coffee is offered by the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office at the foot of the ascent in Culoz. At the summit, refreshments, food, diploma and souvenir gift offered by the brotherhood of Fêlés du Grand Colombier, on behalf of the Ain department.
The dates of the 2024 cycling days are June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13.
For lovers of sporting challenges, cycling days are the ideal opportunity to try to join the Brotherhood of the Fêlés du Grand Colombier! To become "Fêlés" (someone mad), nothing could be simpler (in theory), you need to register with the Brotherhood (see details on their website) and climb the Grand Colombier by at least two different roads in the same day (or climb the 4 différent roads in the same day to obtain the status of Grand Master!).
Open to all, the cycling days are organised by the Conseil Départemental, the Félés du Grand Colombier and the Tourist Office Bugey Sud Grand Colombier.
To guide you on the nicest roads and make the most of your cycling trip, find 3 suggested GPS tracks to download on this page.
Loop 1: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz, descent to Lochieu via its slope on the Valromey side (49 km - 1285m of elevation gain).
Loop 2: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Port de Massignieu and access to Culoz via the ViaRhôna cycle path, descent to Lochieu and return via the wine-growing villages and Lake Barterand (72 km 1410m elevation gain).
Loop 3: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz then the Col de la Biche, return by Seyssel and the ViaRhôna (75 km - 2100m of elevation gain).
Rent your bike or ebike at the bottom of the climb during the event!
Get in touch with Atelier cycles Grand Colombier at +336 16 68 85 73 or at ateliercyclesgrandcolombier@gmail.com
By reservation.
Roadbikes and ebikes can alos be rented in Les Plans d'Hotonnes at Sports 360. Booking online at : https://servinature-velo.notresphere.com/en-gb
On-site catering possible:
At the top of the climb at the Pause du Grand Colombier.
In Culoz at the Grand Colombier campsite snack bar on the edge of the swimming pond,
at Le Campagnard Autrement restaurant,
at the Epicurieux restaurant.
In Lavours at L’Auberge de la Paillère.
At Artemare in restaurants Le Séran, Les Caudalies.
Various warnings:
- Of the four roads leading to the Col du Grand Colombier, we recommend taking the descent to Lochieu rather than the one directly descending to Virieu-le-Petit from the Selle de Fromentel. The steep gradients, reaching up to 22%, on this narrow road can be very demanding on the brakes and a bit dangerous.
- Please avoid climbing the entire width of the road during your ascent to leave room for cyclists descending at high speed on the same road.
- As the first few kilometers of the climb from Culoz are south-facing, it is recommended to begin the climb before 9 a.m. to avoid the heat.
One of the most difficult climb in France to (re)discover during these real cycling festivals!
Culminating at an altitude of 1,501 meters, the Grand Colombier offers an exceptional panorama: 360° view of the Alps and Mont Blanc, of Valromey as well as of the Bourget, Annecy and Geneva lakes.
Composed of 4 different roads, the climb of the Grand Colombier from Culoz is known to be difficult, hot, very spectacular and aerial with an incomparable view of Lake Bourget, the Rhône, Bugey and the Belledonne massif from its famous hairpins.
Coffee is offered by the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office at the foot of the ascent in Culoz. At the summit, refreshments, food, diploma and souvenir gift offered by the brotherhood of Fêlés du Grand Colombier, on behalf of the Ain department.
The dates of the 2024 cycling days are June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13.
For lovers of sporting challenges, cycling days are the ideal opportunity to try to join the Brotherhood of the Fêlés du Grand Colombier! To become "Fêlés" (someone mad), nothing could be simpler (in theory), you need to register with the Brotherhood (see details on their website) and climb the Grand Colombier by at least two different roads in the same day (or climb the 4 différent roads in the same day to obtain the status of Grand Master!).
Open to all, the cycling days are organised by the Conseil Départemental, the Félés du Grand Colombier and the Tourist Office Bugey Sud Grand Colombier.
To guide you on the nicest roads and make the most of your cycling trip, find 3 suggested GPS tracks to download on this page.
Loop 1: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz, descent to Lochieu via its slope on the Valromey side (49 km - 1285m of elevation gain).
Loop 2: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Port de Massignieu and access to Culoz via the ViaRhôna cycle path, descent to Lochieu and return via the wine-growing villages and Lake Barterand (72 km 1410m elevation gain).
Loop 3: ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz then the Col de la Biche, return by Seyssel and the ViaRhôna (75 km - 2100m of elevation gain).
Rent your bike or ebike at the bottom of the climb during the event!
Get in touch with Atelier cycles Grand Colombier at +336 16 68 85 73 or at ateliercyclesgrandcolombier@gmail.com
By reservation.
Roadbikes and ebikes can alos be rented in Les Plans d'Hotonnes at Sports 360. Booking online at : https://servinature-velo.notresphere.com/en-gb
On-site catering possible:
At the top of the climb at the Pause du Grand Colombier.
In Culoz at the Grand Colombier campsite snack bar on the edge of the swimming pond,
at Le Campagnard Autrement restaurant,
at the Epicurieux restaurant.
In Lavours at L’Auberge de la Paillère.
At Artemare in restaurants Le Séran, Les Caudalies.
Various warnings:
- Of the four roads leading to the Col du Grand Colombier, we recommend taking the descent to Lochieu rather than the one directly descending to Virieu-le-Petit from the Selle de Fromentel. The steep gradients, reaching up to 22%, on this narrow road can be very demanding on the brakes and a bit dangerous.
- Please avoid climbing the entire width of the road during your ascent to leave room for cyclists descending at high speed on the same road.
- As the first few kilometers of the climb from Culoz are south-facing, it is recommended to begin the climb before 9 a.m. to avoid the heat.
