Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps

7 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Group Tour
This unique cycling vacation reveals a side of Switzerland and France you won’t find anywhere else. Join local VBT trip leaders in a delightful spin along gentle lakeside bike paths far from tourist centers. Discover enchanting thermal pools springing from deep beneath Mont Blanc itself—creating the warmest geothermal waters in Switzerland. Our expert local l...
From$4,495
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cycle well-paved bike paths amid stunning alpine beauty in France and Switzerland
    • Pedal along three stunning lakes of the Rhône-Alpes region–Geneva, Annecy, and Saint-André–delighting in bike paths along the Rhône and Isère rivers
    • Savor Swiss and French cuisine and wine to fuel and enhance your journey, from fondues and Fendant to coq au vin and Pinot Noir
    • Stroll the atmospheric medieval Old Towns of Annecy and Chambéry, grand cultural capitals of once-mighty French kingdoms
    • Savor a two-night stay in a grand French château, built in 1450 by a chivalrous noble family

What's this trip about?

    This unique cycling vacation reveals a side of Switzerland and France you won’t find anywhere else. Join local VBT trip leaders in a delightful spin along gentle lakeside bike paths far from tourist centers. Discover enchanting thermal pools springing from deep beneath Mont Blanc itself—creating the warmest geothermal waters in Switzerland. Our expert local leaders will guide you through the scenic Route du Rhône bike path towards Sion—an ancient city that time forgot. Here, you’ll find incredible Grand Cru vintages and a charming 13th-century hilltop castle. Pedal the sapphire shores of Lake Annecy, discovering medieval canals and delightful cafés—returning to relax on the sunny veranda of your waterfront hotel. As you explore the quaint medieval city of Chambéry, a two-night stay in an elegant 15th-century chateau leaves you feeling like royalty.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityChamonix
End CityLyon

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Chamonix
  • Geneva
  • Lyon

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Wine Tasting
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Warm-up ride / Travel to Switzerland / Abbey of St-Maurice / Welcome reception and dinner

Your tour starts at noon at the pre-night hotel in Chamonix or at 2:00 p.m. at the first hotel in Switzerland. Your trip leaders will meet you in the lobby of your Swiss hotel wearing VBT staff garments.

If you have chosen to meet in Chamonix, make sure you are...

DAY 2: Route du Rhône bike path / Sion

After a hearty European breakfast, set out on the tranquil Route du Rhône bike path, following the course of the Rhône upriver. As you get underway, you leave the steep jagged cliffs of the Dent de Morcles behind. These dramatic rocky slopes mark the westernmost reach...

DAY 3: Villeneuve on Lake Geneva / Montreux / Travel to France

After breakfast, you cycle out of Saint-Maurice into the Chablais region, the spectacular alpine area straddling Switzerland and France. Your route again follows the Rhône River, pointing you toward Lake Geneva. As you ride out of the village, you may glimpse the shar...

DAY 4: Lake Annecy loop / Paccard Bell Foundry / Medieval Annecy

Begin your ride by cycling south from your hotel in the Haute-Savoie region. Your focus is the breathtaking Lake Annecy—Europe’s cleanest lake thanks to protection measures enacted in the 1960s—and its namesake city. Your loop follows a well-paved bike path past the s...

DAY 5: Cycle along the Arly and Isere Rivers / Stroll the medieval Cité de Conflans / Wine tasting / Settle into your château

After a hearty French breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and set out on one of the most beautiful rides of the region. Leaving the southern tip of Lake Annecy, you cycle along a quiet, smooth bike path as the Bauges Range rises up on one side and the Beaufortain soa...

DAY 6: Ride to Lake of Saint-André / Stroll Chambéry

Today promises another ride into stunning cultural and natural beauty. From your château, you cycle along gently rolling and scenic country roads, meandering through small charming villages and vineyards. You skirt the base of Mont Granier, a gigantic crag and the ico...

DAY 7: Travel to Lyon / VBT Bicycling Vacation ends

After an included breakfast, travel by private motorcoach to the Hotel Carlton Lyon MGallery by Sofitel in Lyon, arriving at approximately 10:30 a.m. Your vacation ends here. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Metro Bellecour station, from where you can travel to the Lyon railway stations and Lyon’s St. Exupery Airport.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,495
Price per day$642
Last Updated: 10/28/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Other VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews

G

Ginger

Nov 2023

Written on

The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

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Corvette01

Nov 2023

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Spectacular, Cycling the Dolomite Valleys

This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at...

D

DonaandConnie

Nov 2023

Written on

Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in fine hotels and a French château

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour offers easy terrain on well-paved bike paths and low-traffic country roads. Most paths follow rivers and lakes, with mountains far in the distance. It is ideal for beginning cyclists. Longer mileage options are offered on some days for more avid bikers.

Daily Mileage: 5 - 39 miles| Biking: 1 - 5 hours| Group Size: 20

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-SwFr

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