summer 2014 - Espace pro
Transcription
summer 2014 - Espace pro
Press P a c k SPRING SUMMER 2014 www.savoie-mont-blanc.com M PL Y WON D M UL • S I FUL • SI F ER ER SUMM ER 2014 PL Y WON D MAP AND GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . P 02-03 FOOD AND WINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 04-07 HEALTH AND FITNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 11 TRAIL RUNNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 12-13 MOUNTAIN BIKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 14-16 CYCLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 17-19 © Savoie Mont Blanc / Lansard FAMILY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 08-10 SUMMER 2014 Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme is the tourist board of the Savoie and Haute Savoie departments in France. Covering two thirds of the French Alps, Savoie Mont Blanc is one of France’s most important tourist destinations, all year round. Of the total visitors to Savoie Mont Blanc, 33% come in the summer (62% in winter, and 5% at spring and autumn). Last summer, 77% of the clientele was French, and 23% was foreign. 16% of the foreign clientele was British. It is the second most important clientele in the summer after the Netherlands. Savoie Mont Blanc is a family-friendly destination, offering a wide range of sporting activities for children of all ages and adults. Savoie Mont Blanc also offers fantastic food and wine. Easy access Savoie Mont Blanc in the summer By plane In the summer, several airlines fly to Lyon and Geneva direct from the UK. Lyon: www.lyonaeroports.com Geneva Aiport: www.gva.ch Car rental companies are a good alternative for those travelling by plane and offer good prices. For example with Europcar, one week in July starts at 312€ for a Renault Clio and 1,750km included. • 4 large lakes: Lake Geneva (Lake Léman), Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy and Lake Aiguebelette. • 2 natural regional parks: Bauges and Chartreuse • 1 national park: Vanoise National Park • 14 national and regional natural reserves • 2 geoparks: Bauges and Chablais By train Savoie Mont Blanc’s two main cities, Chambéry and Annecy, are easily accessible by train. Chambéry is a three-hour train journey from Paris and Annecy is a four-hour train journey from Paris. www.raileurope.co.uk Activities • 14,190km of marked hiking tracks • 6,323kms of marked cycling itineraries • 2,797km of mountain bike marked tracks By car From Britain, use the A6 or A39 motorways to quickly and easily head towards the French Alps. The Savoie and Haute Savoie’s towns, villages, valleys and ski resorts are easy to get to, whatever the time of year. • Calais - Chambéry: 874 km (543 miles) • Calais - Annecy: 822 km (510 miles) vers le Che • 107 parapenting sites • 284 equipped rock climbing sites • 48 Via Ferrata routes vers Chenit • 120 canyoninglesites • 63 ‘parcours aventures’ (Go Ape) • 13 golf courses B • 75 swimming pools • 90 beaches SUI SSE vers St-Claude c a L Savoie Mont Blanc Regions Espace culturel de la Chataignière Nyon Jardin des Cinq sens THONON-LES-BAIN Yvoire Nernier Chapelle N.-D. du Lac Messery Excenevex Musée de la Préhistoire Musée Départemental des Pompiers Pierres à cupules Anthy-surLéman Pierre des vers Yverdon 2/3 LAUSANNE vers Berne Morges Vevey L é m a n c L a Evian-les-Bains Yvoire Chens-surLéman AIN le R hôn e Archamps C St-Jeoire la Rochesur-Foron Orange B O N E S Rle Petit-Bornand- S Y A V Ole Bourget- du-Lac vers Lyon St-Albande-Montbel Lépin- Aiguebelettele Pont-dele-Lac le-Lac Beauvoisin A R R A St-Gervais- les Houches les-Bains Combloux S MA ’ Praz-sur-Arly L Aillon-le-Jeune A Naves Bonneval la Léchère Doron Is de Boz T A N E R Champagny- Méribel les Allues la Chambre St-Martinde-Belleville Pa MéribelMottaret St-Colombandes-Villards Jarrier les Bottières St-Jean-deMaurienne la Toussuire l’Arc le Corbier St-Jeand'Arves St-Sorlin-d'Arves les Karellis Val-d'Isère Grande Motte 3656 m al Pointe de la Grande Casse 3855 m o an is V la e la Dent Parrachée d 3684 m Val-Thorens A U R I E N N E St-Michelde-Maurienne Aussois Orelle Modane Valmeinier tunnel Valfréjus de Fréjus Pointe de la Sana 3436 m Bonneval-sur-Arc e Bessans LanslebourgMt-Cenis Termignon SollièresSardières Bramans c ’Ar l Pointe de Charbonnel 3752 m lac du Mont Cenis Rochemelon 3538 m la Norma Albiez-Montrond Pic de l'Etendard 3468 m Valloire vers Turin Aiguille d'Arves 3510 m N 0 M n on ati Pralognanla-Vanoise rc les Ménuires Tignes en-Vanoise Courchevel Pic du Frêne 2805 m Ste-FoyTarentaise E I S T A la Plagne ITALIE la Rosière les Arcs PeiseyVallandry Montchavinles Coches el Bozel Bridesles-Bains la Tania Valmorel la Rochette tunnel du Mont Blanc Mont Blanc 4810 m Séez Isère Villaroger la Côted'Aime PlagneMontalbert Moûtiers e èr SUISSE I N A Albertville R T B E A U F O Isère Aime Chamouxsur-Gelon T vers Aoste, Milan Graniersur-Aime Aiguebelle M U N Beaufort-sur-Doron Arêches St-Pierred'Entremont vers Grenoble F D O Hauteluce Grésysur-Isère Montmélian ISÈRE SI les ContaminesMontjoie N.D.de Bellecombe Aillon-Margériaz Chartreuse Aiguille du Midi 3842 m l'Arve Bourg-St-Maurice St-Alban-Leysse St-Pierred'Albigny la Ravoire Challes-les-Eaux naturel régiona Parc l de Mercury L ChamonixMont-Blanc Servoz Y Passy Megève Cohennoz ConsSte-Colombe Ugine des Bauges la Féclaz lac Cognin d'Aiguebelette Argentière I le Revard CHAMBÉRY Flaine A Seythenex le Châtelard la MotteServolex Novalaise les Echelles St-Françoisde-Sales Vallorcine le Buet 3099 m Crest-Voland Héry-sur-Ugine V A N A B L A S D R St-Genixsur-Guiers N Aix-les-Bains Aéroport de ChambéryAix-les-Bains A I E GN UTA CHA Y A P A T le Rhôn A e Doussard Faverges t V Montmin naturel régiona l Parc urge e Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval les Carrozd'Arâches Cordon Flumet Talloires Duingt Col du Grand Saint-Bernard Samoëns Morillon Sallanches la Giettaz Manigod Menthon-St-Bernard nn Albens Thônes Veyrier-du-Lac cy St-Jorioz Alby/Chéran u Bo Yenne A Seynod Sévrier d' A Ruffieux Y la Clusaz ANNECY lac d vers Belley Annecy-le-Vieux Cran-Gevrier V S le GrandBornand St-Jean-de-Sixt Meythet la c vers Ambérieu Culoz Martigny le Reposoir les-Glières vers Sion Gd Mont Ruan 3047 m Taninges N Mont- Scionzier Saxonnex Brizon Champéry les Gets Cluses Seyssel Rumilly le-Prazde-Lys Mieussy G Thorens-Glières R H Ô N E AIN I Avoriaz Morzine D le Rhône Viuz-enSallaz Sommand Monthey 2433 m St-Jeand'Aulps Montriond Bonneville Cruseilles Frangy U Arbusigny la ChapelleRambaud G H A U T O V E N E I S A les Brasses ve Bellegardesur-Valserine Reignier Bossey C B A H Châtel I S L A Mont de Grange le Biot Bellevaux HabèrePoche r l'A St-Julienen-Genevois vers Bourg-en-Bresse la Chapelled'Abondance Abondance F Annemasse SUISSE Aigle Mégevette Ambilly Ville-la-Grand Gaillard GENÈVE Bernex Douvaine Bons-enChablais GenèveCointrin Publier Anthy-surLéman Excenevex Messery Gex Thonon-les-Bains L Nernier S Divonneles-Bains St-Gingolph Thollon-lesMémises B Nyon Montreux NC SUISSE ITALIE 10 km ©latitude-cartagene 2011 HAUTES-ALPES Gnocchis Fabrice Taulier Le Crystal - Granges d’en Haut © DR SUMMER 2014 Food & wine Savoie Mont Blanc has a great diversity of local produces and dishes. The area is of course famous for its cheeses like Beaufort, Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie and its charcuterie, but it also has some delicious and delicate fishes from its lakes, like the Fera and the Omble Chevalier. In the last few years, more and more talented chefs have started to use wonderful local produces to create a delicious and creative cuisine. Savoie Mont Blanc has 33 Michelin starred restaurants, many gastronomic restaurants, wonderful bistros and simple but good little places to have a quick bite, by the lakes or in the mountains. There are also several festivals celebrating the local food. What’s New for Summer 2014 • By Lake Geneva Raphaël Vionnet is a very talented chef who earned his first Michelin star in only a few months at the Auberge du Bois Prin in Chamonix. He is opening his own restaurant, Restaurant Raphaël Vionnet in Thonon-les-Bains, by Lake Geneva. He is preparing an inventive and colourful menu for the opening early June. www.thononlesbains.com • Chambéry Michelin starred chef Cédric Campanella made famous l’Orangerie, the restaurant of the 5-star hotel Le Chateau de Candie in Chambéry, when he worked there with his brother Boris from 2001 to 2009. In 2014, Campanella is back at L’Orangerie to offer his fabulous cooking in a beautiful historical surrounding. Le Chateau de Candie is a typical Savoyard house from the 14th Century, towering above the medieval city of Chambéry. www.chateaudecandie.com • Chamonix Valley The chef Fabrice Taulier, who was awarding 1 Michelin star at Les Barmes de l’Ours in Val d’Isère is moving to the Chamonix Valley. He is taking the rein of Les Granges d’en Haut’s restaurant, Le Crystal, in Les Houches. His cuisine is mainly made of local and seasonal produces. Guests will be able to discover a gourmet Savoyard cuisine on one of the most beautiful terraces of the Chamonix Valley, with stunning views over Mont-Blanc. www.grangesdenhaut.com • In Chamonix centre, the restaurant of the five-star hotel, L’Hôtel du Mont-Blanc, is opening in the summer for the first time. The chef Guy Martin, a Savoyard who use to be the chef of the famous Grand Véfour in Paris, offers a delicious cuisine combining French and Italian flavours. www.hotelmontblancchamonix.com • For a really unique and unforgettable lunch in Chamonix, head to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. Le 3842, one of Europe’s highest restaurants, is now open all year round. It is accessible from Chamonix centre by cable-car and offers a breath taking 360 degrees view. www.aiguilledumidi-restaurant.com • Val d’Isère Gastronomic restaurant l’Atelier d’Edmond in Val d’Isère is opening in the summer for the first time. Located at the bottom of the Fornet-Pissaillas slopes, at 2km from the resort’s centre, in direction of the Col de l’Iseran, it is a wonderful place to stop for lunch or dinner in the summer. The chef Benoît Vidal, a Michelin starred chef, will now work at l’Atelier d’Edmond winters and summers. For the summer, he is creating an affordable menu in a bistro style. www.atelier-edmond.com 4/5 Savoie Mont Blanc has four new Michelin stars Nicolas Sale at the Kintessence, the restaurant of the K2 in Courchevel had a first star in 2013, just a few months after its opening. He has been awarded a second star in 2014. Three restaurants have earned their first star: Le 1920 (Hôtel du domaine du Mont d’Arbois), La Table de l’Alpaga (Hôtel Alpaga) in Megève and Le Sérac (in Saint- Gervais Mont-Blanc). There is a total of 33 starred restaurants and chefs, for a total of 48 stars. Le Merveilleux du Bistrosérac © CL SMBT 3 Stars Flocons de Sel (Megève) – Chef Emmanuel Renaut • Another restaurant in Val d’Isère is opening in the summer: La Table d’Yvonne, the restaurant of the the guest house Maison de Famille des 5 Frères, which opened in December 2013. Chef Jerôme Labrousse serves some simple but tasty homemade cooking. www.les5freres.com • La Clusaz Chocolatier Patrick Agnellet who has a wonderful patisserie in Annecy is opening a second shop in La Clusaz, his native village. He has created a Chocolats des Aravis for his new shop which should delight all the chocolate addicts! www.patrickagnellet.com Michelin stars galore The Bourget is a village by Lake Bourget with more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world. It has 4000 inhabitants and four Michelin starred restaurants! Le Bateau Ivre www.hotel-ombremont.com L’Atmosphere www.atmospheres-hotel.com La Grange à Sel www.lagrangeasel.com Le Lamartine www.lamartine-marin.com Affordable Michelin starred lunches Eating in a Michelin-starred restaurant is a wonderful experience that one never forgets. However, it is not in everyone’s budget, so to share their love of food, some chefs offer affordable menu deals at lunch time. Chef Julien Machet at Le Farçon in La Tania (1 Michelin star) offers a starter, main and dessert at lunch time for €32. It is available every day from 13 June to 14 September. In Chamonix, Le Bistrot du Morgane offers a main and dessert at lunch time for €20! It is France’s cheapest Michelin starred restaurant. 2 Stars Le Clos des Sens (Annecy-le-Vieux) – Chef Laurent Petit Yoann Conte (Annecy/Veyrier-du-Lac) – Chef Yoann Conte Le Bateau Ivre (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Jean-Pierre Jacob Albert 1er (Chamonix Mont-Blanc) – Chef Pierre Maillet Le Chabichou (Courchevel) – Chef Michel Rochedy Pierre Gagnaire pour Les Airelles (Courchevel) – Chef Pierre Gagnaire Cheval Blanc (Courchevel) – Chef Yannick Alléno Le Strato (Courchevel) – Chef Sylvestre Wahid La Table du Kilimandjaro (Courchevel) – Chef Nicolas Sale Auberge Les Morainières (Jongieux) – Chef Mickaël Arnoult La Bouitte (Saint-Martin-de-Belleville) – Chef René et Maxime Meilleur L’Oxalys (Val Thorens) – Chef Jean Sulpice Le Kintessence (Courchevel) – Chef Nicolas Sale (new 2 Stars) 1 Star Million (Albertville) – Chef José de Anacleto Le Belvédère (Annecy) – Chef Vincent Lugrin La Ciboulette (Annecy) – Chef Georges Paccard Auberge Lamartine (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Pierre Marin Atmosphères (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Alain PerrillatMercerot La Grange à Sel (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Gilles Blonay Côté Marché (Chambéry) – Chef Alexandre Ongaro Le Bistrot (Chamonix Mont-Blanc) – Chef Mickaël Bourdillat Azimut (Courchevel) – Chef François Moureaux Ô Flaveurs (Douvaine) – Chef Jérôme Mamet La Ferme de l’Hôspital (Saint Julien en Genevois/Bossey) – Chef Jean-Jacques Noguier L’Auberge du Père Bise (Talloires) – Chef Sophie Bise Le Farçon (La Tania) – Chef Julien Machet Le Prieuré (Thonon-les-Bains) – Chef Charles Plumex L’Atelier d’Edmond (Val d’Isère) – Chef Benoît Vidal La Table de l’Ours (Val d’Isère) – Chef Alain Lamaison 1920 (Megève) – Chef Julien Gatillon (new) La Table de l’Alpaga (Megève) - Chef Christophe Schuffenecker (new) Le Sérac (Saint-Gervais-les-Bains) - Chef Raphaël Le Mancq (new) Chalet-Hôtel de la Croix Fry - Manigod © CL SMB SUMMER 2014 Events 8 June Grande Fête du Beaufort The pretty town of Beaufort celebrates its famous cheese, known as the ‘Prince of Gruyères’ on 8 June. There will be a market, cooking workshops, tastings…and visitors can also visit the cooperative where the Beaufort cheese is made. www.lebeaufortain.com 29 June 10th Fête des Fromages de Savoie Lake Bourget This year, the Fête des Fromages de Savoie is taking place in Saint-Germain-la-Chambotte, above the Bourget Lake, in the heart of the land where Tomme de Savoie is made. Visitors will be able to taste seven different Savoie cheeses, watch how cheese is made, take part into cooking workshops, look and buy local art crafts, and go on themed walks. Marque Savoie Marque Savoie is a label awarded to restaurants that offer typical Savoyard specialties on their menu such as crozet with Reblochon, Diot sausages with Gamay Savoie wine or tartare of local fish. There are nine restaurants with the Marque Savoie label : La Boussole (Sevrier - Lac d’Annecy), La Source (Saint Jean de Chevelu), La table de Joséphine (Arêches-Beaufort), Le Joly Site (Combloux), Le Marilyn (Vallières), Le Restaurant du Port (Yvoire), Les Gentianettes (La Chapelle d’Abondance), Les Cygnes (Évian-les- Bains) and l’Auberge d’Anthy (Anthy-sur- Léman). 10 August La Clusaz This is THE meeting place for local farmers and craftmen. Visitors can taste and buy the famous cheese Reblochon and learn about local traditions. www.laclusaz.com 9 and 10 August 40th Fête des Vieux Fours et Métiers d’Antan Crest-Voland Cohennoz (Val d’Arly) During two days, delicious brioches and breads are baked in the village’s old ovens. Visitors can learn about old traditions and watch folkloric dances. www.valdarly-montblanc.com Chez Pépé Nicolas - Vallée des Belelville © DR Fête du reblochon et de l’artisanat Vin... quand tu veux La Clusaz © DR 6/7 Wine The vineyards of Savoie Mont Blanc cover some 2,000 hectares and produce an appealing and diverse range of wines that are both alpine and sophisticated in character. The vineyards are located near four large lakes, two Regional Parks – Bauges and Chartreuses –and very close to major tourist destinations such as Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Evian and Annecy. They are divided into three areas: Combe de Savoie, Chautagne and Jongieux, and Leman and Arves. • Wine tourism is growing quickly in Savoie Mont Blanc. Visitors can stay in beautiful hotels and chateau in the vineyards such as the Chateau des Comtes de Challes www.chateaudes comtesdechalles.com, and the Chateau de la Mar www. chateau-de-la-mar.fr. The vineyard areas can be visited by bike, e-bike or, more unusual and so French, in a 2CV. Les Deuches du Lac (www.lesdeuches-dulac.fr) organises tours around the vineyards, in the iconic French car. • Hot Air Balloon ride and wine tasting: for individuals or small groups of 8 people, the Companies des Ballons organises fabulous ride in the sky of Savoie Mont Blanc over Lake Annecy with a wine specialist. Wine tasting on board Group of 8 people: €290 per person www.compagniedesballons.com •T ry the Segway: a fun way of discovering the vineyard of Savoie. On little paths and roads enjoy the landscape and taste Savoie wines with a wine specialist in the vineyard of Chignin, les Marches or Apremont Price for 2hr30 of Segway including the wine tasting and a Segway instructor: 130€ par personne www.takamaka.fr Savoie wines can be tasted and enjoyed in the cities and in the resorts as more and more wine bars and shops are opening. • Bruno Bozzer, the owner of the excellent wine shop La Java des Flacons in Annecy is opening a wine bar, L’Enoteca de la Java. 30 different types of wine will be available by the glass every day, with some delicious small plates of food: oysters, Italian anti-pasti, wild salmon… www.lac-annecy.com • O Vin Coeur is a new wine bar and shop in Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon, one of the resorts of Lake Annecy resorts. Wine lovers can enjoy a great variety of wine by the glass, with some local charcuterie, in a cosy atmosphere. www.legrandbornand.com • In La Clusaz, also part of Lake Annecy resorts, Vin…Quand Tu Veux, is a new wine bar and shop offering over 320 different wines and liquors. Wine can be tasted in a friendly atmosphere, around a big wooden table. www.laclusaz.com • Luxurious Chalet Zannier in Megève is opening its wine bar to non-guests. Savoie wines are served by the glass, with small plates of food, in a classy and cosy décor. www.lechaletzannier.com • Hotel Château des Comtes de Challes, is an upmarket hotel in an historical building in Challes-les Eaux, close to Chambéry. Every day at 6pm, the owner opens the Château’s Chais to the public for a visit and a tasting. The sommelier presents three different wines each evening, to be enjoyed with some canapés. It cost only €10 and should be booked in advance. www.chateaudescomtesdechalles.com Bière du Mont Blanc La Brasserie du Mont-Blanc is a micro-brewery in Chambéry, which opened in 1830. The brewery uses spring water collected at 2000m, by the Mont Blanc, and uses an old local savoir faire. La Brasserie du Mont Blanc makes 1 million bottles a year and exports to the United-States, the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Japan. Following its success, more and more micro-breweries are opening in Savoie Mont Blanc. © Savoie Mont Blanc / Laurent Weyl SUMMER 2014 A family-friendly destination Savoie Mont Blanc offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Parents know that a successful summer holiday must include some swimming and playing in water! Savoie Mont Blanc has four large lakes. They have an average water of 24°C in the summer • Lake Geneva (or Lake Leman) Savoie Mont Blanc shares Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, with Switzerland but most of the southern banks are French. There are two major towns by the lake: Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains. Both have natural spa and sailing facilities. All the lakeside villages have very pleasant beaches. • Lake Bourget Lake Bourget is France’s largest natural lake and its main settlement, Aix-les-Bains, slopes up from the south-east corner. Its wild, untouched shores and pretty, developed beaches offer a combination of romantic idyllic spots and busy water sports destinations. • Lake Annecy Maybe the most famous of the four great lakes, Lake Annecy is often described as the most beautiful lake in France, encircled by stunning mountains, reflected in crystal-clear waters. Some of the finest hotels in France have bagged prime locations along its eastern bank, notably in stunning Veyrierdu-Lac and Talloires. The western side has family-friendly resorts, and gentler sandy beaches with equally good mountain views. • Lake Aiguebelette The smallest of the four is a wonderfully well-kept secret of a lake, hidden by small mountains west of Chambéry. It’s quieter than the other great lakes, mainly because motor boats aren’t allowed on its waters. Fishermen slip out silently on their barques. Little boathouses line its reedy sides. Its beaches have excellent facilities, so they’re ideal for family holidays. It is also a good place to practice rowing. Many mountain resorts have man-made lakes, which are very pleasant to swim in. There are also many beautiful natural mountain lakes, some at high altitude, which make a good purpose to a mountain walk – however only the brave ones swim in these lakes, as the temperatures are always very low! In total, there are 90 beaches by the lakes in Savoie Mont Blanc. Lakes are for swimming but also for watersports! • The Grand Bornand hosts a special Marina week on the Cour Lake from 28th July to 1st August. On Monday 28th July , a free sailing lesson is offered to children from 5 to 14. Adults and children from 5 years old can learn to sail optimist boats or learn to windsurf during those 4 days. €92 for 4 half days or €24 for 2 hours www.legrandbornand.com • In Morillon, in the Grand Massif, families can take kayaking lessons on the Lac Bleu, with qualified instructor Arnaud. Each lesson last 1 hour and 30 minutes www.ot-morillon.fr More and more resorts are building huge aquaparks. • New! After the success of its first aqua centre opened in 2006, Les Menuires is opening a second one, in Les Bruyères area, in August 2014. Covering 3500sqm, it will include a pool dedicated to families, with slides and fun activities, and another area dedicated to adults with a sauna, a steam room, a Jacuzzi and several treatment rooms. www.lesmenuires.com Rando lac des Confins © Savoie Mont Blanc / Cavazzana 8/9 • New! In Châtel, the new aqua centre Châtel Forme d’Ô will be able to host up to 700 visitors per day this summer. Located in the heart of the resort, it is an eco-friendly centre built with ecological materials, using renewable energy and an ecofriendly system to use the water. Châtel Forme d’Ô will include a family area with an outdoor pool and fun areas for children. It will also include a 125sqm outdoor pool, a 154sqm beach, saunas, steam rooms and a relaxing room. www.chatel.com • New! Saint-Gervais has also built a new aqua-centre. There is 25m long pool with music under water, a fun pool for families as well as a paddling pool for young children with a geyser and some water animals to play with. It will also include a wellness area with saunas, a steam room and a solarium. www.saintgervais.com Rando marmottes La Sambuy © OT La Sambuy • New! A new aqua centre is also opening this summer in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Built with open views of the spectacular surrounding mountains, this new centre has an area dedicated to children from 2 to 12 years old, with a waterfall, toboggan and a small pool. www.pralognan.com Hiking Hiking can be a fun activity to do as a family, as long as the children are motivated. To keep up the motivation, make sure the walk is not too long and find some entertaining highlights on the way. • The Bureau des Guides in Les Menuires organise familyfriendly walks with picnics in the Vanoise National Park. Adults and children can walk at their pace on easy and not too steep tracks, and stop to look and learn about the local flora and observe the marmots. www.lesmenuires.com • The Dranse track will open this summer at the foot of the Mont Grange, a Natural Reserve. The 16km track links Châtel to Abondance, along the river. It is open to walkers, runners, cyclists and families with pushchairs. www.chatel.com • In La Tourbière Natural Reserve, in Les Saisies, children can go walking to in the Elf’s forest. They will discover the magical little creatures hiding behind trees and rocks…The aim of the walk is to find the Elf’s house. Once they find it, they can ring the bell and get in… www.lessaisies.com • In Val Thorens, children from 8 years old can go ice walking on the Chavière glacier, equipped with ice axe and crampons, and accompanied by a mountain guide. www.valthorens.com • The Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix is offering the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc to children from 9 to 11 years old. The tour is adapted with shorter stages and includes other activities such as white water rafting, shopping in Courmayeur and entertainment at night. It cost €660 per child. www.chamonix-guides.com • Le Club des Enfant in Arc 1950 organises mini boot camps for children from 6 to 13 years old. www.arc1950.com © Isère Sport Nature SUMMER 2014 Donkey hikes Furry hiking companions: funny, clever, sweet, sometimes stubborn and very often greedy, donkeys are a child’s best friend during a walk. Guided walks with donkeys are available in many resorts, for a short circuit, a day or several days in Les Gets, Pralognan la Vanoise, Les Menuires, Saint Sorlin d’Arves, Samoëns, Les Contamines Montjoie…to name a few places. For the more independent families, it is also possible to hire a donkey and go on your own, for a day or several days. The donkey carries your bags and keeps your children entertained – as long as the animal does what you want him to! Caving In the Chartreuse Regional Park, a 30 minute drive from Chambéry, children from 12 years old can go caving and climbing in the Saint-Christophe Cave. There is a circuit on the ceiling of the cave, up to 65m high. The full circuit last two and a half hour, but it is possible to exit the cave before at different points. Adult: €45 Children from 12 to 16: €40 www.animgrotte.com Several resorts offer an alternative to donkeys… hiking with llamas. Excellent walkers with mischievous personalities, llamas are a great companion to family hikes. You can find llamas in Valloire or Barberaz (village near Chambéry). Multi-activities Many resorts have Go Ape high rope courses, rock climbing schools for children, cani-rando (a summer version of dogsledding) and many entertainments all summer. Savoie Mont Blanc is really a fun destination for kids. Rando Aux Ménuires © P. Royer Many resorts have mountain biking tracks and courses for children. They can also take part in competitions such as the The Pass’Portes kids. It is in Les Portes du Soleil on 28 and 29 June, for children between nine and 14 years old, accompanied by instructors. 10/11 For over-stressed and over-worked people, a holiday can be the time to relax but also to get fit and healthy. Here are a few ideas… • Avoriaz’s aqua centre, the Aquariaz, offers Aquazumba classes (Zumba classes in the water) every morning. €10 per class www.avoriaz.com • Evian, famous for its mineral water, is a pretty town on Lake Geneva’s shores. Its spa, Les Thermes d’Evian, is launching a new range of relaxing treatments. Don’t miss L’instant aux extrêmes which includes a 20 minute head massage, a 45 minute feet reflexology treatment and a 20 minute hand massage. €110, with access to the sauna and steam room included. http://lesthermesevian.com • Four-star hotel le Chabichou in Courchevel is launching Chabiforme, a well-being programme to lose weight. The hotel’s two Michelin stars chef prepares delicious low calorie menus that guests enjoy after exercising in the pool and spa. From €1180 per person for 7 nights full board, unlimited access to the spa, and 1 Chabiforme treatment. www.chabichou-courchevel.com • From 2 to 9 August, La Tania organises a well-being week. Zumba, aquagym, and other fitness classes are available all week, as well as massages and other treatments. Visitors can also take cooking lessons with Michelin starred chef Julien Machet from Le Farçon restaurant. www.latania.com • Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc’s natural spas, Les Bains du Mont Blanc, offer health & fitness workshops every morning. Health coaches advise visitors on which pools to use and which activities to do to cure back pains, tiredness and give general health and diet tips. The health coaches work closely with physios, ostheopaths, hydro-therapists and beauticians. www.thermes-saint-gervais.com • New! The Paddle Gym is a new activity available on the Bourget Lake. It is a gym session on a stand-up paddle board. Each session last 90 minutes and costs €25. Book at the Club Nautique in Aix les Bains. www.aixlesbains.com • On 16 and 17 August, Arêches-Beaufort is hosting a stage of the Stand Up Alpine Tour 2014 – a fun paddle boarding competition. Anyone can take part in this fun but challenging competition, on the beautiful lake de Roseland. The tour then continues around Savoie Mont Blanc. www.areches-beaufort.com / www.sup74.com • The pretty village of Samoëns organises detox weekends. The programme includes Ayurvedic massages, yoga classes, and other treatment such as Sirodhara (head and body massage with hot massage oil) or Patu (exfoliating massage). €410 all included. www.samoens.com Grand Bornand Relax © P.Lebeau-Aravis Health & Fitness Yoga and Pilates Mid-summer, yoga and pilates enthusiasts should head to Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise. The resort offers a series of workshops. • 21 to 24 July: 1 hour of pilates training a day with English teacher Sarah Sissons. €40 for 4 days • 28 to 30 July: Training yoga walk: meditative walks and outdoor yoga sessions. €105 for 3 days • 4 to 8 August: Qi Qong training. Qi Qong is an ancient Chinese health care that integrates breathing techniques and physical postures. €25 per session with British instructor Sue Reed • 11 to 14 August: 1 hour of pilates training a day with English teacher Sarah Sissons. www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com Cross-lake swimming competitions, Annecy 15 August Every year since 1931, hundreds of participants take part in this cross-lake swimming competition. They can choose between the 1,000m crossing of Lake Annecy, the 2,400m one or the 5,000m one. There is also a 500m crossing for children. It costs €20 per person. Register on www.traverseedulacdannecy.fr © InterlacTrail-BestImage SUMMER 2014 Trail running Trail running is getting more and more popular and the mountains and trails of Savoie Mont Blanc are the perfect place to practice trail running or take part in a race. New for 2014 19-20 July • In Arêches-Beaufort 12 new marked trails have been created for different abilities – ranging from green to black trails. You can buy a topo map of the routes at the tourist office for 3 euros. There is also the Vertical Kilometre (KV) for the more seasoned runners. This year there will also be a dedicated area where you can test equipment including trainers and sticks. www.arêches.com The Interlac trail is a new event where competitors race between France’s two largest lakes – Lake Bourget and Lake Annecy. Starting at Lake Annecy, competitors can choose their distance – with 77km being the longest distance and 17km the shortest. The race finishes with competitors putting their feet in Lake Bourget. www.interlactrail.com • Many resorts have coaches specialised in trail running. In the Tarentaise valley, Anne Valéro is the official coach of the Ice Trail Tarentaise and offers personalised coaching. www.icetrailtarentaise.fr • In La Clusaz Yvan Dorier who is a former French national downhill ski team & USA Pro Tour racer has now turned to coaching in trail running as well. www.alter-ego-consulting.com New events for 2014 This summer Savoie Mont Blanc will play host to many trail running events, with several new additions to the calendar for summer 2014. 6 July Trail a Flaine – NEW ! A new race is the Trail a Flaine taking place on 6 July. This challenging uphill event has two races. Both races start in Magland, at the base of the valley below Flaine. There are then two options – one to race up to Flaine Forum which is 1100m of altitude gained or carry on up to Grandes Platieres which rests at 2500m, meaning a height gain of 2200m. www.flaine.com Interlac Trail – NEW ! 20 July Le Trail des Moulins à la Rosière – NEW ! A new race which is a 22 km route starting at 1200m and finishing at 2400m with a height gain of 1850m. Competitors race on alpine routes close to La Rosière at the foot of the Col du Petit Saint Bernard. This race combines wild scenery with the backdrop of the Mont Blanc. http://letraildesmoulins.e-monsite.com More trail running events 13 July 4th edition of The Ice Trail The Ice Trail is the highest trail in Europe at 65km with 5,000 m of elevation gain in the heart of the Vanoise National Park and Espace Killy. Competitors race to the top of the Grande Motte at 3653m, ascending the Aiguille Pers (3386m). The event attracts some of the world’s best trail runners. There is also a shorter race - the Altispeed (32 km, 2500m of elevation gain) or the Montane (13 km, 1450 of elevation gain) and for children, there is a mini-trail. www.icetrailtarentaise.fr © Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 12/13 19 & 20 July 6 August The Ultra Tour du Beaufortain is one of Europe’s toughest trail running events with competitors taking on 6500m of positive height gain over 105km. www.ultratour-beaufortain.fr La Plagne Montalbert Enjoy the Polenta Party before the 18th edition of La Prajourdane. The 9.5km friendly race has 650m of altitude gain and is open to all runners and walkers. www.montalbert.com 6th edition of the Ultra Tour du Beaufortain 27 July 18th edition of La Prajourdane Quechua Tour des Fiz – 6th edition 17 August For 2014 there are three choices of routes for the Tour des Fiz – 22km (1500km of height gain) , 30km (2300m of height gain) and 61 km (5000m of height gain). The Tour des Fiz takes place in the spectacular Fiz mountain range which faces directly to Mont Blanc. The race departs from Plaine Joux near Passy. www.traildutourdesfiz.com Trail du Galibier A beautiful course with views of Mont Blanc and the Ecrins. Competitors can choose from two distances – 45km with 2630m of height gain or 21.8km with 1330m of height gain. www.traildugalibier.com 2 August Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 13th edition Trail Frison Roche Beaufort sur Doron There are two races – 40km with 2400m of height gain and 15km with 900m of altitude. The races take competitors through typical Alpine villages. www.trail-frisonroche.com 3 August Trail de l’Etendard New this year for the Trail de l’Etendard is a course of 30km with 2000m of elevation gain. And of course there is also the main race which is 63km and 4000m of altitude gain which starts in Bourg d’Oisans and finishes in Saint Sorlin through the Grandes Rousses and at the foot of the Pic de l’Etendard passing nearly 12 lakes on the way. www.saintsorlindarves.com 3 August Vertical Race Sainte Foy Tarentaise A vertical race where competitors climb 1400m over 11 km climbing the Fogliettaz. www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com 25-31 August The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is a complete tour of the Mont Blanc Massif, passing through 3 countries: France, Switzerland and Italy. 2300 runners take on the 168km with 9,600m of positive height gain. Runners have to complete the race in less than 46 hours. Places for this famous race fill up almost instantly but it is also a great spectator event. Throughout the week, there are other ‘shorter’ races, taking on parts of the full course. www.ultratrailmb.com Test yourself against the pros! Le Défi des Arolles is organised by the Arêches Multisport Club and is your chance to take on the local pros in a race which is 3.2km and 700m of elevation. The event takes place several times during the summer and has the slogan ‘Take on our Champions’. www.arêches.com © Christophe Pallot Agence Zoom SUMMER 2014 Mountain biking Savoie Mont Blanc offers all types of mountain biking – from lift accessed downhill trails to miles of single track to gentle lake-side paths. Mountain biking for free What’s new ? • Between 28 June and 31 August you can access the lifts and bike park of Tignes and Val d’Isere for FREE! There is a huge area for all abilities of mountain bikers – green, blue, red and black runs and for the pros double black runs. www.tignes.net • New trails in Arêches-Beaufort The mountain bike trails in Arêches-Beaufort have been completely redesigned for the summer of 2014. 16 new cross country itineraries and four new Enduro trails have been built for all levels. There are now 130km of marked trails, a pump track and an initiation area for beginners – which is free to use! www.beaufortain-bike.com Electric Mountain Biking A number of resorts in Savoie Mont Blanc now offer the chance to hire electric mountain bikes, enabling riders to ascend more quickly and more easily and have more time to enjoy the descents. • Portes de Soleil – itineraries for electric mountain bikes are marked on the piste map and there are stations to charge your bikes in the area • Rumilly, near Annecy – full suspension electric mountain bikes are rented at La Maison du Velo • Megève and Cordon – electric bikes for rent with maps of suggested itineraries New for 2014 • Expansion of the ‘Chemins du Soleil’ – Geneva to Nice The northern section of the Chemins du Soleil connecting Thonon and Grenoble has recently been finished. This is another step closer to being able to mountain bike from Geneva to Nice on dedicated paths for 1200km. In Savoie Mont Blanc (from Grenoble to Geneva on the Chemins du Soleil) 79km of the track has recently been marked and cyclists can travel through vineyards, hills and low mountains. www.grande-traversee-alpes.com • New bike park in Les Arcs The Bike Park in Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry has been completely remodeled since 2013 and offers something for all disciplines: downhill, enduro and cross country. www.lesarcs.com • Mountain biking meets hiking in Le Grand-Bornand The new “Pass Trilogy des Aravis” combines hiking and mountain biking. Visitors can walk up to a mountain chalet for a traditional lunch, followed by a mountain bike descent back to Grand Bornand. Price: 44 € / person, including rental and transportation of mountain bike, trail map and meals. Store Active Mountain. www.twinner-legrandbornand-chinaillon.com • New trails and a British ambassador for Les Gets British mountain biker Tahnee Seagrave has become Les Gets’ new ambassador. Tahnee is the current Junior Downhill Mountain Bike champion and will represent Les Gets in the World Championships in September. There are also new red, blue and freeride pistes opening in Les Gets, as well as changes to the bike park so it is suitable for all disciplines and all level of riders. www.lesgets.com © Savoie Mont Blanc / Lansard 14/15 Off the beaten track Mountain bike events • La Norma The perfect place to learn to mountain bike with a range of trails covering 200km and outings with guides during the week. www.la-norma.com 27- 29 June • Pays du Lac d’Aiguebelette Pays du Lac d’Aiguebelette has become a hub for leisure mountain biking with 28 circuits and 290km of marked trails. You can download a map from http://basevtt-pays-lacaiguebelette.ffct.org • Saint-François Longchamp For a night-time mountain bike ride, for all levels, head to Saint-Francois Longchamp. Descend by mountain bike to have a special dinner in a kota (kind of yurt) at the level of the Col de la Madeleine. Then after dinner descend again down into Montaimont. Price 45€ per person all included (rental of bikes, instructor, Savoyard meal…) www.mathieu-taboury.com/nocturnevtt.html Mountain biking for everyone • Pays de Filière Near Lake Annecy and the Massif des Aravis, Pays de Filiere offers cyclists the chance to weave through stunning scenery and small traditional French villages. This type of mountain biking is suitable for all ages and abilities. www.tourisme-en-filliere.com • Albanais Halfway between Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget, L’Albanais offers 234km of mountain bike trails for all levels passing through orchards, next to rivers and through traditional settlements and farms. www.albanais-tourisme.com Passportes du Soleil Portes du Soleil The 11th edition of the Passportes du Soleil, an event where competitors can depart from seven different resorts across the Portes de Soleil and follow a spectacular 80km route through France and Switzerland. With pit stops in each resort it is an exhilarating but friendly event which is a mixture of cross country tracks and downhill trails with the use of lifts. Over 6000 competitors take part. www.passportesdusoleil.com 5-6 July MB Race Megève More than 2000 competitors will take on a variety of courses starting from 20km. But it is the 140km ultra-marathon which brings the bravest mountain bike riders to Megève and is said to be the most difficult in the world! www.mb-race.com 5-6 July Open Enduro du Beaufortain www.endurotribe.com 6 July Le 3VTT Trois Vallées www.les3vallees.com/3vtt 13-15 July Roc des Alpes La Clusaz 2nd edition of the summer version of the Roc d’Azur, which has been organised in the south of France for 30 years. The weekend will be packed with mountain bike events from enduro races to mountain the bike marathon, and will be the perfect opportunity to discover the pretty resort of La Clusaz and Les Aravis mountain range. Over 4000 people will take part in events over three days. www.rocdesalpes.com © Savoie Mont Blanc / Smit SUMMER 2014 27 July Events for spectators Les Carroz A relaxed friendly mountain bike event for different levels of riders with an option for children or those with a more relaxed approach. The routes are not timed and range from 13km to 68km. www.lescarroz.com 21-22 June 6-10 August 21-24 August Sybelles A five day stage race with stunning scenery open to amateur competitors. With different levels on offer and entertainment at the end of each stage it is still going strong after 26 years. www.transmaurienne.com Meribel Over 500 of the world’s best mountain bikers will compete to be crowned World Cup Champions in the downhill, cross country and trial disciplines. There will be a festival atmosphere with entertainments and activities for spectators over the four days. www.meribel.net La VTTicime La Transmaurienne 23-24 August Enduro Series World Cup Valloire Watch the world’s best Enduro riders battle it out on the slopes of Valloire. www.enduroworldseries.com Mountain Bike World Cup Finals Alpine Battle Les Gets A new generation enduro event, Alpine Battle is run over two days in teams of two. The teams have to cover as much distance possible over the two days with the use of maps and GPS and they can also take the lifts. Teams can race in one of three categories : Expert, Leisure or Family. www.lesgets.com/alpinebattle 24 August La Diamant VTT 21-24 August Châtel Bike Festival – NEW ! From 16 to 20 July Châtel will host the first ever Châtel Bike Festival: a dedicated event for everything two wheeled - mountain bike or road bike there are competitions for professionals and amateurs plus events, shows and concerts www.events.chatel.com Les Saisies www.sports-lessaisies.com Peak Retreats runs Mountain Biking holidays in Savoie Mont Blanc, including Morzine and Chamonix. A specialist in the French Alps, Peak Retreats run active holidays for families and groups. www.peakretreats.co.uk © Savoie Mont Blanc / Agence Zoom - Pallot 16/17 Road cycling There is no better place in Europe to test your road cycling skills than in Savoie Mont Blanc. Stunning scenery, breathtaking roads and some of the most famous climbs and descents in the world. From leisure cycling to world famous cycle races…. 1 jour, 1 col 12 of Savoie Mont Blanc’s most famous cols will be solely dedicated for cyclists for half a day this summer in operation 1 Day, 1 Col. Shut to other traffic and with entertainment and refreshments at each event, it is a perfect day out for keen cyclists and those wanting to climb France’s mythical cols without worrying about cars. 1 Day, 1 Col is completely free! • Sunday 22 June: Col des Aravis • Sunday 29 June: Col Salève • Thursday 3 July: Col du Galibier • Sunday 6 July: Col de l’Iseran • Sunday 6 July: Col des Glières • Sunday 27 July: Col de Joux Plane • Sunday17 August: Col de la Ramaz • Thursday 21 August: Col de la Madeleine • Friday 22 August: Col de la Croix de Fer • Sunday 24 August (date TBC): Champlaurent/Grand Cucheron • Friday 29 August: Col du Glandon • Sunday 14 September (date TBC): Col Semnoz / Annecy • Expansion of La Via Rhona – from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean La Via Rhona project is still in progress and is set to offer cycling paths between Lake Geneva and France’s Mediterranean beaches. There is already 700km (435 miles) of cycling paths running along the River Rhone through 12 different French regions. www.viarhona.com Tour operator Cyclomundo offers a 7 day tour between Lake Geneva and Lyon, discovering the pretty villages of the Savoie Mont Blanc regions, the lakes and the culture along the Rhone. The tour is ideal of families or those with a relaxed approach to cycling. www.cyclomundo.com • Chambéry – a cycling town Chambéry offers 83 km of cycle routes in and around the city including the Green Avenue (Avenue Verte) which connects Lake Bourget and Lake St André. Cycle maps are available at the Tourist Office and the Bike Station where you can rent bikes for €3 for half a day and €5 for a full day. www.velostation-chambery.fr • Tour des Bauges by bike Visitors to the Massif des Bauges can discover the heart of the region by exploring by bike. There are seven cols to discover and you can plan your tour with an interactive map on the website. It is also possible to rent electric bikes at the Maison de la Faune et de la Flore in the village d’Ecole en Bauges. Prices between 6 and 15€. www.lesbaugesavelo.com • Cycle with the pros in La Toussuire In July you can ride like professional cyclists from the AG2R La Mondiale team. The 6 day course is run with a team of coaches, physios and mechanics who will train and support you. On Saturday 18 July a timed hill climb allows you to see if the training has paid off! There are two courses: July 5 to 12 and July 12 to 19. These courses are run by the Chambéry Cycling Organisation who support the training of the AG2R La Mondiale team. Prices from 1400 € which includes 3 star full board accommodation, fitness testing, training and nutritional support, mechanical support and massage sessions with physiotherapists. www.la-toussuire.com Savoie Mont Blanc © Zvardon SUMMER 2014 • La Maurienne- the world’s largest cycling area La Maurienne labels itself ‘the world’s largest cycling area’ and it is hard to argue when it plays home to some of the most impressive climbs in the Alps - Galibier, Glandon, Madeleine, Iseran and Croix de Fer. La Maurienne offers 56 000m of ascent over these nine passes which are all marked with cycling milestones counting down your distance to the top. There are also 19 routes equipped with the timing system Timtoo. www.cyclo-maurienne.fr What’s new? • Albertville – a cycling town Albertville has been awarded the mark of a «Tourist Cycling Town» and alongside Aix les Bains, both towns are committed to promote cycling both with offering cycling facilities and routes. There are now eight marked cycling routes in Albertville and the itineraries can be downloaded onto a GPS or smartphone. Alternatively you can buy a topo map of the itineraries at the tourist office for 2€. www.pays-albertville.com • Lac d’Annecy – A new section of cycle path completed A new section of the cycle pathway around Lake Annecy is due to be completed by summer 2014 from Annecy le Vieux to Chavoires. It will allow cyclists to make a circuit of the lake which is 40 km all the way around. The final section is due to be finished in 2017. www.lac-annecy.com CYCLING TOURS AND TRAINING • Tour du Mont Blanc Alpes Aventure offers a biking trip following the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2 or 3 days with accommodation, supplies and assistance. The trips cover around 100km per day. The tour passes through three countries (France, Switzerland, Italy) and is around 390 km with 8000m of altitude gain www.alpesaventure.com • Garmin Training Camp The Garmin Training Camp is a new concept where those taking part will be taught by professionals, including Nicolas Roux – two times winner of the Etape du Tour. There will also be the chance to test and use Garmin products during the camp. The dates for the camps are 27-29 June and 5-7 September and both camps follow the route of a 3 day Tour du Mont Blanc. www.sports-lessaisies.com/fr/cyclo/garmin-trainingcamp-cyclo:-tour-mont-blanc-139.html ELECTRIC BIKING • Val d’Isère Electric bikes have now arrived in Val d’Isère. Visitors can now climb the famous Iseran pass without any worries. Bikes can be rented from Mattis Intersport +33 4 79 06 00 72 • Grand Bornand Visitors to Grand Bornand can rent electric bikes and go on a discover tour with dinner in a mountain restaurant. Price: 35€ / person. www.legrandbornand.com Cycling events - Spectate 8–15 June Criterium du Dauphiné The Criterium de Dauphine is the prelude to the Tour de France and takes place a matter of days before. It is a tough stage race in its own right, however, and takes in many big climbs. In its 66th edition the final stages of the race weave through Savoie Mont Blanc, including a finish at Emosson (famous for its large dam), a start from Megève and the final finish in Courchevel. www.letour.fr/criterium-du-dauphine © Savoie Mont Blanc / Agence Zoom - Perret 18/19 19-22 June Saturday 12 July The Tour des Pays de Savoie is a stage race for riders under the age of 26. It is a real stepping stone into the professional world of cycling. It will pass through the following eight towns: Bonneville, Chambéry, Châtel, Morillon, Passy, Saint-Michel-deMaurienne, Thorens-Glières, Valmeinier. www.tourdespaysdesavoie.com The 5th edition of the Cyclosportive Salève Bornes Glières offers riders a choice of distances – 98 and 131km. www.paysdefilliere.com Tour des Pays de Savoie 23-30 August Tour de l’Avenir The Tour de l’Avenir is a race for cyclists who are under 23 and features the future stars of the Tour de France! The ‘race of the next generation’ will zig zag across the mountains and roads of Savoie Mont Blanc including Plateau de Solaison, Bon en Chablais, Les Carroz d’Arâches, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, La Rosière, SaintMichel de Maurienne, La Toussuire. www.tourdelavenir.com La Cyclosportive Salève Bornes Glières Sunday 20 July Le Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo by Odlo A race for just the toughest cyclists. Starting and finishing in Les Saises riders to 300km and 8000m of positive height gain in one day! An extraordinary course which passes through France, Switzerland and Italy. The routes passes through the following towns and villages, many of which are in Savoie Mont Blanc: Megève, Saint Gervais, Chamonix, Col de Montets, Martigny, le Col du Grand Saint Bernard, Aosta, le Col du Petit Saint Bernard, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, le Cormet de Roselend, Beaufort et enfin le Col des Saisies. www.sports-lessaisies.com Sunday 17 August Cyclosportive de la Madeleine Cycling events - Participate Sunday 8 June A 103km or 130km race in the heart of the Maurienne Valley taking in many famous hill climbs in the region. www.cyclo-maurienne.com Time Megève Mont Blanc Saturday 23 August Back for its 11th edition, the Time Megève is fronted by French cycling star Greg Lemond and for 2014 has a new course which starts in Megève and heads into Beaufortain, choosing from one of three distances - 80 , 114 or 135 kms and between 2000m and 3500 of positive height gain. www.csportsmegeve.com Cyclo Transalpina – NEW! The first ever Cyclo Transalpina takes place on Saturday 23 August and is organised by the villages of Saint-Jean-deMaurienne, Valloire et Sestrières. There are two possible courses – 88km and 2050m of positive height gain or 122km with 3050m of height gain. www.valloire.com Sunday 22 June 24-30 August Cyclosportive Morzine Haut Chablais The 11th edition of the Morzine-Haut Chablais race is a friendly sportive with two choices of route. Both the 110km and 160km courses take in beautiful countryside and breathtaking cols. www.sportcommunication.info Sunday 29 June Cyclosportive La Grand Bo The 16th edition of the Grand Bo which sees over 500 competitors tackle some of the most beautiful routes and biggest cols in the Aravis. www.grandbornand.com Saturday 5 July La Marmotte Granfondo La Marmotte links Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez via the most famous climbs in the area: col du Glandon, col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier and col du Lautaret. The route is 174km with 5000m of climbing. A brutal course for the most serious amateur cyclists www.sportcommunication.info The Haute Route The Haute Route is one of the world’s most exceptional courses and is the most difficult amateur bike race in the world. Riders from 32 different countries get close to their dream of riding the Tour de France. The route is 780 km and 21,000 metres of positive height gain through the Alps (including parts of Savoie Mont Blanc) and including: Geneva, Megève , Courchevel, Alpe d’ Huez, Risoul , Auron and Nice. www.hauteroutealps.org Sunday 5 October La Scott-Cîmes du Lac d’Annecy The race around Lake Annecy has two routes, 98 and 133 km plus two cross country trails 51 and 98 km. Riders will discover the amazing landscapes, vineyards and beautiful sites of Savoie Mont Blanc. www.challengecyclotour.com • SIMP L U L FU Y WONDER L • SIMPL R E M M SU 2014 Y WONDER F France Céline Guillermin : celine.guillermin@smbtourisme.com +33 (0)4 79 85 96 99 or +33 (0)6 83 13 36 07 facebook.com/Savoie.Mont.Blanc Twitter : @SMBIntl Pictures can be downloaded from www.phototheque.savoie-mont-blanc.com Mise en page : UK Montagnes Representation Nadine Carle-Edgar: Nadine@montagnes.uk.com +44(0) 7905252460 Betony Garner : betonygarner@gmail.com +44 (0) 7779801691 for queries related to cycling, mountain biking and trail running - Photo de couverture : © Savoie Mont Blanc - Lansard CONTACTS