Overview
Cycle from the Eiffel Tower to the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland! This is a four day ride through medieval French towns, stunning vineyards and the jaw dropping scenery of the Jura mountains. We’ll begin our journey southeast through the suburbs of Paris and ride into beautiful French countryside. We cycle through the vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne, the Jura mountains and finally over a Tour de France col into Switzerland, finishing on Lake Geneva. This is the perfect continuation of a London to Paris ride, or a fantastic standalone event.
“One of the best things I have ever done. Amazing cycling, really well organised and so much fun. I enjoyed every minute and we booked another adventure as soon as we got back home! If you are thinking of doing a challenge, do it with More Adventure – I promise you won’t regret it”
Colette, 2018
Highlights
- Taking the obligatory team photo in front of the Eiffel Tower
- Riding through ancient villages and picturesque French countryside
- Exploring the stunning wine regions of Burgundy and Champagne
- Experiencing the charming Roman Spa town of Lons-le-Saunier
- Reaching the Tour de France summit Col de la Faucille (1323m)
- Crossing the mighty Jura mountains
- Celebrating the finish line on the banks of Lake Geneva
Our Star Ratings
Here is an explanation of our cycling trip grades. Please bear in mind that total ascent, wind, rain and general riding conditions can play as important factors as the daily distances involved. Whilst we have stated some example distances, the overall difficulty assigned to each trip will encompass a range of these factors. If you are at all unsure of whether you think the trip is suitable, please contact us.
Easy: Suitable for those new to cycling seeking an introductory and very relaxed yet active experience on two wheels. Easy riding on short, flat and/or gently undulating routes. Approx 20 – 40 miles a day
Relaxed: Undulating terrain with occasional minor undulations for semi-regular novices who wish to develop fitness and ability. May include a few short steep climbs. Approx 40 – 50 miles a day
Moderate: Designed for cyclists with a good level of riding experience and fitness, and are comfortable riding for full days in the saddle. Routes will include some steep and/or sustained climbs. Not for those completely new to cycling. Approx 50 – 80 miles a day
Challenging: Routes with multiple steep and sustained climbs and technical descents and/or long distances. Riders need to be have a high level of fitness and stamina in addition to experience in riding over extended distances and/or tackling long ascents and descents. Approx 70 – 110 miles a day
Advanced: Designed for experienced cyclists with an excellent level of fitness and stamina. Routes are consistently long with multiple serious and steep ascents and descents throughout. High altitude ascents may be undertaken followed by technically demanding descents. Approx 80 – 120 miles a day
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in London, travel to Paris on Eurostar
This trip starts at St Pancras station in London where you’ll meet the More Adventure team, load your bicycle and luggage onto the support van, then board a Eurostar train to Paris. You’ll then have the rest of the day to explore Paris before making your own way to our hotel for an evening briefing and dinner. Here you’ll also be reunited with your bicycles and luggage ready for the ride the following day.
If you’d prefer not to travel with your bicycle and luggage to/from the UK, More Adventure will be offering an additional door-to-door bicycle transfer service for this trip. Further details will be issued upon booking. Alternatively if you’d prefer to meet us in Paris and make your own way to the ride start on Day 2, this is also an option so please let us know.
Day 2: Meet in Paris, cycle to Sens
90 miles & 2800 feet⬆ / 144km & 900m⬆
After breakfast in the hotel we’ll load up the support vehicle and ride to the Eiffel Tower. Here we’ll take an obligatory team photo then begin our ride out of the city. Our route follows the river Seine, leaving the city to Melun in the southeastern suburbs of the city. After lunch we follow the river L’Yonne through traditional French towns and villages to our first overnight stop on the outskirts of Sens.
Day 3: Sens to Semur-en-Auxois
85 miles & 4400 feet ⬆ / 137km & 1400 m⬆
After a good sleep we begin our second day cycling through the picturesque wine region of Burgundy. Continuing southeast, the route passes through several pretty villages then tackles the first climb of the day before descending to cross the Canal de Bourgogne at Brienon-sur-Armancon. We’ll ride through endless vineyards that this region is famous for, stopping at the village of Chablis, home to the world-renowned vielles vignes (old vine) white wine. Our second main climb of the day begins after lunch in Noyers as we cross the river Serein, winding up through open farmland to Soulangy. We’re rewarded with a fabulous view of our final destination, the medieval hilltop town of Semur-en-Auxois.
Day 4: Semur-en-Auxois to Lons-le-Saunier
98 miles & 4100 ⬆ / 157km & 1300 m⬆
We begin today’s ride alongside the Canal de Bourgogne, a 250km waterway that allowed Burgundy to export its valuable goods to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The route passes through open agricultural land to Bligny-sur-Ouche, a small town on the banks of the L’Ouche river. This marks the start of our first climb of the day, a six-mile ascent followed by a dazzling descent to Beaune. This small town is the wine capital of Burgundy and home to the Hospices de Beaune, the primary wine auction of France – there’s definitely a theme to this unique region of France! After lunch the route is relatively flat for the rest of the day, crossing the river Saône and passing through Verdun-sur-le-Doubs, a fortified town famous for fishing, river boating and excellent food. During the final few miles we’ll see the Jura mountains looming in the distance which also marks the the France-Switzerland border. Our overnight stop is the charming Roman Spa town of Lons-le-Saunier at the foot of the first plateau of the Jura massif.
Day 5: Lons-le-Saunier to Geneva
75 miles & 7000 feet⬆ /120 km & 2100 m⬆
Today we tackle the mighty Jura mountains, a sub-alpine mountain range that lines the border of France and Switzerland. Our main climb is the Col de la Faucille (1323m), a fabulous and popular stretch of tarmac that has been featured numerous times in the Tour de France. The day starts steadily but after a short downhill around the midpoint of the ride we begin to climb proper, the landscape becoming wilder as we ascend through the mountainous landscape of the Jura Mountains Natural Park. The main climb begins at the town of Saint-Claude from which we ride through scattered woodland, past waterfalls and ski chalets to the Côte de Lajoux (1192m) where a rather frustrating yet necessary switchback descent into Mijoux adds a few metres onto the final push to the highpoint of the day – the Col de la Faucille (1323m). On a clear day it is sometimes possible to see the Mont Blanc massif of the Alps so there’s definitely time for a rest and a few photos here. From the summit we cross the border into Switzerland for an exhilarating descent to the finish overlooking the iconic fountain Jet d’Eau on the banks of Lake Geneva. Congratulations, you made it! We’ll have a celebratory meal and a few drinks before our final night in Geneva.
Day 6: Geneva to UK
Today, the More Adventure team will be driving back to deliver your bicycles and luggage for certain evening flights into London. If you would prefer to return to other UK destinations or would prefer to return at a different time/date, there will also be an option to have your bicycle and luggage delivered to your home, details and costs of which will be issued upon booking. It is possible to travel back to the UK from Geneva by plane and train, some suggested flights will be issued once the trip has been confirmed.
This itinerary is a guide only and can sometimes be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to uphold the proposed daily mileages, this cannot be guaranteed due to changes to hotel bookings.
FAQs
Do you provide bicycle transfers for this trip?
Yes. If you would like to find out more about our door-to-door bicycle and luggage transfer service, please get in touch. Alternatively, further details will be issued upon booking.
How much are flights from Geneva to London?
If booked in advance you can get flights from Geneva to London for less than £50.
Can you provide transfer services back to other UK destinations once the trip has finished?
Yes. Please get in touch for further information.
Do I need to pay the full amount now to secure my place?
No. We require a 40% deposit to secure your place, the balance is then due no later than 5 weeks before the trip begins. Using our online payment system, you can also make interim payments allowing you to pay when it's convenient to you.
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