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! Free event, open to everyone, no registration required.
Road from Culoz reserved for cyclists from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Exceptionally, the June cycling event will take place on Saturday, June 20th, as the Grand Colombier hosts the queen stage of the Tour AURA (formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné) on June 13th.
Other cycling events will be held on the second Saturdays of July, August, and September: June 20th, July 11th, August 8th, and September 12th, 2026.
One of the most challenging mountain passes in France to (re)discover during these true celebrations of cycling!
A star of the Tour de France in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023, and reaching an altitude of 1,501 meters, the Grand Colombier pass offers an exceptional panorama: a 360° view of the Alps and Mont Blanc, the Valromey valley, and Lakes Bourget, Annecy, and Geneva.
Comprising four different sides, the climb up the Grand Colombier from Culoz is renowned for being challenging, spectacular, and exposed, with an unparalleled view of Lake Bourget, the Rhône River, the Bugey region, and the Belledonne mountain range from its famous switchbacks.
Grand Colombier Pass from Culoz:
Distance: 18 km
Elevation gain: 1,262 m
Steepest sections: 14%
Coffee break offered by the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office at the foot of the climb in Culoz. A warm welcome awaits you at the summit, with refreshments, a certificate, and a souvenir gift provided by the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Brotherhood, courtesy of the Ain Department.
For those who love a sporting challenge, these cycling days are the perfect opportunity to try and join the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Brotherhood! Becoming a "Grand Colombier Enthusiast" is simple (in theory): just register in advance with the Brotherhood (see details on their website) and climb the Grand Colombier from at least two different sides in the same day (or climb all four sides in the same day to achieve Grand Master status!).
The inn and the summit remain accessible by vehicle via the roads leading from Lochieu and Virieu-le-Petit, which remain open to traffic.
GPX files: 3 suggested routes are available for download on this page.
- Loop 1: Ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz, descent to Lochieu via the Valromey side (49 km - 1285m elevation gain).
- Loop 2: Ascent of the Grand Colombier from the Port de Massignieu and access to Culoz via the ViaRhôna cycle route, descent to Lochieu and return via the Bugey wine villages and Lake Barterand (72 km - 1410m elevation gain).
- Loop 3: Ascents of the Grand Colombier from Culoz and then the Col de la Biche, return via Seyssel and the ViaRhôna (75 km - 2100m elevation gain). (A detour is in place on the ViaRhôna at the end of the route, but it is still possible to follow the route by taking a 100m dirt track).
Custom routes can be created by sending a message to contact@bugeysud-tourisme.fr indicating your starting point, the distance, and the desired elevation gain.
Bike rentals:
- Grand Colombier Cycles offers road bike and e-MTB rentals from Seyssel. Reservations and details at +33 6 16 68 85 73 or ateliercyclesgrandcolombier@gmail.com
- Road bike and e-bike rentals are also available at Sports 360 in Les Plans d'Hotonnes. Online booking at: https://servinature-velo.notresphere.com/location-materiel
- For last-minute repairs or mechanical issues, Siclari Cycles is located in Culoz at the foot of the climb to help you out.
E-bikes, e-MTBs, rollerblades, roller skis, etc., are of course welcome!
On-site dining options:
In Culoz at the Grand Colombier campsite snack bar by the lake, at Le Campagnard Autrement restaurant, and at Les Epicurieux restaurant.
In Lavours at L'Auberge de la Paillère.
In Artemare at Le Séran and Les Caudalies.
At Bistrot by Tatahie in Virieu-le-Petit.
At Ferme Auberge Chez Cuzieu in Munet.
Accommodation: see the list of accommodations in the region on the website bugeysud-tourisme.fr
Points to note:
- Of the four roads leading to the Grand Colombier pass, we recommend taking the descent to Lochieu rather than the one that plunges directly down to Virieu-le-Petit from La Selle de Fromentel. The steep gradients, reaching 22%, on this narrow road can be very demanding on the brakes and somewhat dangerous.
- Please do not use the entire width of the road during your ascent to allow space for cyclists descending at speed on the same road.
- As the first few kilometers of the climb from Culoz are south-facing, it is advisable to start the climb before 9:00 AM to avoid the heat.
The Grand Colombier Cycling Days, open to all, are organized by the Ain Departmental Council, the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Association, and the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office.
Road from Culoz reserved for cyclists from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Exceptionally, the June cycling event will take place on Saturday, June 20th, as the Grand Colombier hosts the queen stage of the Tour AURA (formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné) on June 13th.
Other cycling events will be held on the second Saturdays of July, August, and September: June 20th, July 11th, August 8th, and September 12th, 2026.
One of the most challenging mountain passes in France to (re)discover during these true celebrations of cycling!
A star of the Tour de France in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023, and reaching an altitude of 1,501 meters, the Grand Colombier pass offers an exceptional panorama: a 360° view of the Alps and Mont Blanc, the Valromey valley, and Lakes Bourget, Annecy, and Geneva.
Comprising four different sides, the climb up the Grand Colombier from Culoz is renowned for being challenging, spectacular, and exposed, with an unparalleled view of Lake Bourget, the Rhône River, the Bugey region, and the Belledonne mountain range from its famous switchbacks.
Grand Colombier Pass from Culoz:
Distance: 18 km
Elevation gain: 1,262 m
Steepest sections: 14%
Coffee break offered by the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office at the foot of the climb in Culoz. A warm welcome awaits you at the summit, with refreshments, a certificate, and a souvenir gift provided by the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Brotherhood, courtesy of the Ain Department.
For those who love a sporting challenge, these cycling days are the perfect opportunity to try and join the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Brotherhood! Becoming a "Grand Colombier Enthusiast" is simple (in theory): just register in advance with the Brotherhood (see details on their website) and climb the Grand Colombier from at least two different sides in the same day (or climb all four sides in the same day to achieve Grand Master status!).
The inn and the summit remain accessible by vehicle via the roads leading from Lochieu and Virieu-le-Petit, which remain open to traffic.
GPX files: 3 suggested routes are available for download on this page.
- Loop 1: Ascent of the Grand Colombier from Culoz, descent to Lochieu via the Valromey side (49 km - 1285m elevation gain).
- Loop 2: Ascent of the Grand Colombier from the Port de Massignieu and access to Culoz via the ViaRhôna cycle route, descent to Lochieu and return via the Bugey wine villages and Lake Barterand (72 km - 1410m elevation gain).
- Loop 3: Ascents of the Grand Colombier from Culoz and then the Col de la Biche, return via Seyssel and the ViaRhôna (75 km - 2100m elevation gain). (A detour is in place on the ViaRhôna at the end of the route, but it is still possible to follow the route by taking a 100m dirt track).
Custom routes can be created by sending a message to contact@bugeysud-tourisme.fr indicating your starting point, the distance, and the desired elevation gain.
Bike rentals:
- Grand Colombier Cycles offers road bike and e-MTB rentals from Seyssel. Reservations and details at +33 6 16 68 85 73 or ateliercyclesgrandcolombier@gmail.com
- Road bike and e-bike rentals are also available at Sports 360 in Les Plans d'Hotonnes. Online booking at: https://servinature-velo.notresphere.com/location-materiel
- For last-minute repairs or mechanical issues, Siclari Cycles is located in Culoz at the foot of the climb to help you out.
E-bikes, e-MTBs, rollerblades, roller skis, etc., are of course welcome!
On-site dining options:
In Culoz at the Grand Colombier campsite snack bar by the lake, at Le Campagnard Autrement restaurant, and at Les Epicurieux restaurant.
In Lavours at L'Auberge de la Paillère.
In Artemare at Le Séran and Les Caudalies.
At Bistrot by Tatahie in Virieu-le-Petit.
At Ferme Auberge Chez Cuzieu in Munet.
Accommodation: see the list of accommodations in the region on the website bugeysud-tourisme.fr
Points to note:
- Of the four roads leading to the Grand Colombier pass, we recommend taking the descent to Lochieu rather than the one that plunges directly down to Virieu-le-Petit from La Selle de Fromentel. The steep gradients, reaching 22%, on this narrow road can be very demanding on the brakes and somewhat dangerous.
- Please do not use the entire width of the road during your ascent to allow space for cyclists descending at speed on the same road.
- As the first few kilometers of the climb from Culoz are south-facing, it is advisable to start the climb before 9:00 AM to avoid the heat.
The Grand Colombier Cycling Days, open to all, are organized by the Ain Departmental Council, the Grand Colombier Cycling Enthusiasts' Association, and the Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office.
