Grand Tour French Alps 2025 – Great Roads, Great Riders & Riding Connected

Thirteen days, 3,700 km, and a pass list that reads like a rider’s bucket list. This year’s Grand Tour French Alps was a proper epic: big-name climbs, red-rock canyons, cliffside balcony roads, and a group that turned into a team by the second day. We started and finished in Munich, threaded Switzerland, dove deep into the French Alps and Provence, and wrapped it all up with a Swiss curtain call. Hot weather followed us most of the way, but the peaks still served up a few cool surprises—like pockets of snow sitting stubbornly at the top of the Gotthard.

“Booked a guided tour over the French Alps with Oliver. What a great experience, Oliver was a great guide and had really did his homework in front of the trip. It was highlights after highlights. Oliver took really care of everyone on the tour, made sure everyone had a good time! I could write a full essay about this trip, that’s how much I loved this tour! I can highly recommend others to book a tour with Motovibes!”

— ★★★★★ Bjørn Hjelmeng, Norway

“I loved the enthusiasm and passion Oliver shows in the routes and places he chose to take us. He found and included treasure after treasure of twisty roads that tested my skills and made me a better rider. The rest of the guys in my group were fantastic and helpful. Great job, Oliver! I had a fantastic time. I’d do it all over again.”

— ★★★★★ Lee Smith, Canada

Grand Tour French Alps - Daluis Canyon, France

One Group, One Vibe

Our riders came from the USA, Canada, Norway, and Australia—a great mix of personalities and skillsets, all excellent riders who brought the best out of each other. The flow on the road clicked early: smooth spacing on the twisties, no pressure on the hairpins, and a steady pace that let everyone ride their ride and still feel part of the line. Off the bike, it felt less like “group dinner” and more like friends trading stories over cold drinks.

Riding Connected

We ran full group comms the entire tour with our Cardo units, and it made a difference every single day. Being able to call out gravel, wave the group into shade on hot afternoons, coordinate fuel and water stops, or just share a quick “wow” mid-corner turned great roads into shared moments. On the balcony roads, that calm heads-up—“tight right after the tunnel”—adds a layer of confidence you can feel.

Heat on the Valleys, Cool on the Peaks

June turned the lower valleys into a heat lamp, so we started early, took real hydration breaks, and let the altitude do its thing. The contrast was part of the charm: warm air rolling up the slopes, then crisp breezes on the high points and those flashes of late snow near Gotthard’s top. Tremola’s cobbles were sun-baked, but the air on Furka still had that clean, high-Alps edge.

Highlights From the Road

We wasted no time getting into proper mountains. From Munich we charged south over San Bernardino into the Gotthard region, then stitched Tremola’s cobbled switchbacks to the sweeps of Furka—classic Swiss riding that never gets old. Crossing into France, the playlist got even better: Col de la Madeleine into the legendary Galibier, the rugged beauty of Izoard and Vars, and the high, raw landscapes around Bonette.

The scenery shifted from glacier grey to deep red as we dropped into the Gorge du Cians, then the “Grand Canyon of France,” the Gorge du Daluis—tight, twisting, and photogenic from every angle. We traced the cliff-hugging Clue de Barles balcony road into Barcelonnette and took a well-earned rest day.

A few die-hards looped Cayolle and tagged Bonette again; others gave the wrists and shoulders a day off and soaked up café time.

From there, we arced south to the Verdon Canyon—turquoise water, towering limestone walls, and a road that dances along the rim. Sault made a perfect base for two nights, setting us up for a climb up Mont Ventoux and a tour through the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Warmer air, wider views, and sweepers with just enough bite to keep you honest.

Turning north, we stacked a trio of balcony legends into one unforgettable day: Combe Laval, Route de Presles, and Gorges de la Bourne. Tunnels, overhangs, and that feeling of riding a ribbon pinned to a vertical wall—everyone rolled into Grenoble buzzing. Then came the heavy hitters: the D211A balcony section, Glandon, Croix de Fer, and the crown jewel, Col de l’Iseran. It’s big and stark up there—the kind of summit that makes you let the engine tick and just take it in.

We pointed back toward Switzerland over Petit St. Bernard and the historic Grand St. Bernard, saving the cleanest tarmac for last: Grimsel and Susten for the run to Munich. Sun on granite, blue reservoirs, perfect camber under the tires—no better way to end a tour.

The Daily Rhythm

We kept the days between 250 and 380 km with about five hours of net mountain riding. That left room for the good stuff: panorama stops, proper lunches, and a relaxed roll into the hotel. Comfortable mid-range stays, breakfast every morning, and a guide up front keeping the route tight and the options open. Some riders flew in and rented premium adventure bikes; others brought their own well-sorted touring setups. Either way, the mix worked.

Snow in June on the St. Gotthard Pass, Switzerland

Moments We’ll Remember

The first sight of snow pockets near the top of Gotthard, glinting in the sun while the valley baked. The shared laugh over comms when Tremola’s cobbles started chattering through the bars. The shock of Verdon’s turquoise after days of Alpine granite. That silent minute at the top of Iseran where no one felt the need to talk. And the heat shimmer drifting off Combe Laval’s cliffs as we lined up the photo everyone will frame.

Thinking About Joining Next Time?

If this tour recap has you eyeing your calendar, you’re not alone. We’ll be back in the French Alps—same spirit, fresh twists. Want in? Drop me a line at info@motovibes.de or check the tours page for dates and details.