5 nights | 36 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 670
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Three Lakes Tour
5 night self guided bike tour in France and Switzerland
Stunning scenery, mesmerizing mountains, and luscious lakes!
Do you love cycling and exploring new areas by bike, but think French Alps are beyond your reach, because of climbing all those mountains? Are you more of a leisure cyclist than an avid “col”-climbing animal?
Then look no further, this trip is for you!
This unique bicycle tour in the French Alps makes it possible for leisure riders to experience the captivating cycling of the Alps without the hill hassle. Linking the three major lakes of the area (Lake Geneva, Lake Bourget, and Lake Annecy), this cycling tour essentially follows river paths, such as along the Rhone and Isere rivers, taking in historic villages, stunning natural scenery, lush meadows and valleys, and picturesque peaks along the way.
On this tour you will have route variations based on the hotel category booked. The Option A and A+ variatons are noted in the Daily Program and Hotels details.
Highlights
- Geneva
- Lake Geneva
- Rhone River
- Fort de l'Ecluse, an elevated fort founded by the Duke of Savoy
- Stunning views of the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges
- Lake Bourget, the largest natural lake of glacial origin
- Chateau de Monteveran, built on a rock in 1316
- Aix-les-Bains, a spa town with natural springs
- Chambery, with a fascinating old-town full of history and art
- Chateau de Miolans, a 10th century fortress
- The village of Chignin, where stands an 8th century fort with 6 towers
- Lake Annecy, Europe's cleanest lake
- The town of Annecy, nestled in a beautiful Alpine lake setting
- Palais de l'Isle, a 12th century prison
- The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, a 16th century masterpiece
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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![Lake Annecy, France. Photo Alex Brown (photo:alexbrown) CC-BY-SA-2.0]()
![Three Lakes Bike Tour Geneva Switzerland-Annecy France]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Dmitry A. Mottl, Unsplash (photo:dmitryamottl) CC-BY-SA-4.0]()
![Aix-les-Bains, France. Photo Leon McGregor, Unsplash (photo:leonmcgregor)]()
![Fondue is popular in Switzerland. Photo angela pham, Unsplash (photo:angelapham)]()
![Three Lakes Bike Tour Geneva Switzerland-Annecy France]()
![Geneva, Switzerland. Photo Ork.ch (photo:orkch) CC-BY-SA-2.0]()
![Geneva, Switzerland. Photo Philipp Potocnik, Unsplash (photo:philipppotocnik)]()
![Lake Annecy, France. Photo Adora Goodenough, Unsplash (photo:adoragoodenough)]()
![Geneva, Switzerland. Photo Julien Flutto, Unsplash (photo:julienflutto)]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Chrisgg382000 CC-BY-SA-4.0]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Markus Trienke (photo:markustrienke) CC-BY-SA-2.0]()
![Swiss chocolates. Photo Pushpak Dsilva, Unsplash (photo:pushpakdsilva)]()
![Thiou River, Annecy, France. Photo Dmitry A. Mottl, Unsplash (photo:dmitryamottl) CC-BY-SA-4.0]()
![Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Photo Carlita Benazito, Unsplash (photo:carlitabenazito)]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Martino Grua, Unsplash (photo:martinogrua)]()
![Lake Annecy, France. Photo Aurelien Krier, Unsplash (photo:aurelienkrier)]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Mathias P.R. Reding, Unsplash (photo:mathiasprreding)]()
![Geneva, Switzerland. Photo Pablo Velasquez, Unsplash (photo:pablovelasquez)]()
![Lake Annecy, France. Photo Yves LC (photo:yveslc) CC-BY-SA-3.0]()
![Annecy, France. Photo Dmitry A. Mottl, Unsplash (photo:dmitryamottl) CC-BY-SA-4.0]()
Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Arrive in Geneva (Option A+) or Gaillard (Option A)
Arrive in Geneva/Gaillard at your leisure and check-in to your hotel. Take time to discover the stylish city of Geneva. It’s a gem of international organizations, finance, and culture, meshing Old World with New, and is a delight to explore. The crescent-shaped Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) provides a marvelous treat for your eyes and plentiful photo fodder. Dinner is at leisure. Due to the fact that Geneva is the culinary capital of Switzerland, there is a variety of restaurants and eateries, sure to please every palette.
Overnight in Geneva (A+) or Gaillard (A)Day 2: Option A+: Geneva – Seyssel (39 miles/63 km, 2,545 ft/775 m of climbing)
Option A: Gaillard – Seyssel (43 miles/69 km, 2,725 ft/830 m of climbing)
Meet your tour company contact in the morning to go over the itinerary and outfitting of bikes. The highlights of your route include cycling along the famous Rhone River, admiring the heart-warming views over the charming wine-making villages of Dardagny and Satigny, and exploring impressive forts, cathedrals, and chateaus.Conquer the westernmost point of Switzerland by bike at the village of Chancy and then cross the border into France. Unmissable here is the Fort de l’Ecluse, founded by a Duke of Savoy, which is an elevated fort, built out of a striking rock formation and a natural entrance of the Rhone Valley into France between the Vuache hills and the Jura. Your home for the night is in Seyssel, a small “double-town” in both the Haute-Savoie (Upper Savoy) and the Ain departments on the Rhone River located between two dams.
Overnight in SeysselDay 3: Seyssel – Aix-les-Bains (29 miles/46 km, 1,510 ft/460 m of climbing)
The views on today’s ride, including the 14 summits of the Bauges mountain range on one side, as well as Mont de la Charvaz and Col-du-Chat on the other, are some of the major highlights of this tour. Sheer cliffs seem to spring up magically from the water and the mountains surround you in protective peacefulness.Lake Bourget (Lac du Bourget) is the largest natural lake of glacial origin and the deepest entirely within France. It was the only home to the now extinct Bezoule, a freshwater whitefish that fed at muddy depths of 70 to 80 meters (230-260 ft) and reportedly disappeared in the 1960s.
Cycle past the impressive site of the medieval Château de Montverran in Culoz, which was built on a rock in 1316 and, in more recent times, inspired the likes of the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Pedal on to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, which was known for its baths as far back as the Roman Empire, with numerous Roman ruins still remaining.
Overnight in Aix-les-BainsDay 4: Option A+: Aix-les-Bains – Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny (29 miles/47 km, 1,635 ft/500 m of climbing)
Option A: Aix-les-Bains – Tournon (41 miles/65 km, 2,300 ft/700 m climbing)
Pedaling through Chambery, a town of art and history and the heart of Savoy, is a central feature to the route for today. Located in a wide valley between the Bauges and Chartreuse Mountain ranges and regional park areas at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, the old-town section of Chambery is one of the most remarkable in France.Along the way take in the ruins of the 10th century fortress, Chateau de Miolans, overlooking the rich wine-growing region of the Combe de Savoy valley, including the wine-making village of Chignin, with remains of the 8th century Sarasin stronghold and its 6 towers. The Isère River guides the route to Grésy-sur-Isère, a largely agricultural community which has been inhabited by man since the Neolithic age.
Overnight in or Saint-Pierre-d-Albigny (A+) or Tournon (A)Day 5: Option A+: Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny – Annecy (43 miles/69 km, 1,720 ft/525 m of climbing)
Option A: Tournon – Annecy (34 miles/55 km, 1,285 ft/390 m of climbing)
On your bikes you wind your way to Grésy-sur-Isère by way of Albertville, situated on the Arly River, close to the confluence with the Isere River. Albertville hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics and has become quite an industrial center, but it also encompasses the medieval town of Conflans, with buildings dating back to the 14th century.The Beaufortain and Bauges Mountain ranges will dazzle you as you cycle to the stunning Lake Annecy (Lac d’Annecy). Known as Europe’s cleanest lake, its amazing setting is presided over by the Aravis mountain range in the background, famous for the hairpin turns and steep bends popularized on the Tour de France.
The magnificent town of Annecy, nestled on the northern tip of Lake Annecy, is home to the International Animated Film Festival and boasts an alluring alpine atmosphere, as well as some notable sites, such as the Palais de l’Isle (12th century prison on an island in a canal and the symbol of the town), the Chateau d’Annecy, the 16th century Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, and the 20th century Pont des Amour (Lover’s Bridge) made of iron.
Overnight in AnnecyDay 6: Departure
Have a relaxing breakfast, enjoy more of the sights and sounds and ambiance of Annecy, and depart at your leisure. Or, feel free to prolong the vacation and stay longer in Annecy in order to make the most of this extraordinary town and setting.Surface and terrain
This cycling tour offers daily climbs between 1,285 ft/400 m and 2,735 ft/835 m and daily distances averaging 36 miles/59 km. You will cycle on roads via daily routes intended to make the French Alps more accessible to the average cyclist.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.
You will receive comfortable accommodation throughout this tour.
Option A+: mostly 3-star hotels
Hotel Jade, Geneva
www.hoteljadegeneva.comHotel Beau Séjour, Seyssel
www.hotelseyssel.frHotel Aquakub, Aix-les-Bains
www.aquakub.comChâteau de la Tour du Puits, Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny
www.hotelchateaudelatourdupuits.comSplendid Hotel, Annecy
www.hotel-annecy-lac.frOption A: mostly 2-star hotels
Hotel Porte de Genève, Gaillard
www.portedegeneve.comHotel Beau Séjour, Seyssel
www.hotelseyssel.frHotel Revotel, Aix-les-Bains
www.revotel.frDomaine du Grand Cellier, Tournon
www.domainedugrandcellier.frHotel des Alpes, Annecy
www.hotelannecy.comInterested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport and train station: Geneva (GVA), SwitzerlandGetting from the airport to the city is easy, and free. From baggage area, look for the Rail Tickets machine and print one. This ticket will give you 80 minutes of free access on Geneva's public transportation system, called TPG.
Once you have your luggage and your Unireso ticket, and you've cleared Customs, head to your left through the Arrivals Hall. Just outside the exit, you'll find an entrance to the Gare CFF Aéroport. Head inside and down to the lower level. Check when the next train to Geneva city center (Gare Cornavin) departs and on which platform. The ride to Cornavin is only 6-7 minutes.
Alternatively, you may use your Unireso ticket for the bus. You will take bus #5, #10, and F to reach Gare Cornavin. For late night arrivals we recommend taking a taxi (about 30-40 CHF).
Once you reach Gare Cornavin, you can walk or take a tram, bus, or taxi to your first hotel.
Tour end
Nearest airport: Geneva (GVA), Switzerland
Nearest train station: Annecy, FranceTips on getting to and from your tour.
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Dates
Fridays and Sundays: Apr 1-Oct 31, 2022 (additional departures upon request for group of 4 or more)
Prices
Category A+: mostly 3-star hotels
Per person, double occupancy € 985 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) € 475 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike € 90 Full-carbon road bike € 170 Electrically assisted bike (upon request) € 175 Extra Nights, Annecy, prices starting at:
Single room (1 person/1 room) € 160 Per person, double occupancy € 95 Extra Nights, Geneva (area), prices starting at:
Single room (1 person/1 room) € 170 Per person, double occupancy € 95 Category A: mostly 2-star hotels
Per person, double occupancy € 705 Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room) € 250 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike € 90 Full-carbon road bike € 170 Electrically assisted bike (upon request) € 175 Extra Nights, Annecy, prices starting at:
Single room (1 person/1 room) € 105 Per person, double occupancy € 65 Extra Nights, Geneva (area), prices starting at:
Single room (1 person/1 room) € 90 Per person, double occupancy € 55 Included services
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed marked maps and/or cue sheets
- Hotline number for assistance if necessary
- Meeting with tour company representative
- Pre-loaded GPS unit (subject to availability)
- 2 dinners (drinks are not included)
- All tax and service charges
Note: the tour price does not include the fee to return the bike to Geneva at the end of the tour (€20 per bike, €30 per e-bike). This will be applied to your booking after confirmation.
Bike rentals
Bikes available to rent on this tour (must be reserved in advance at time of booking) include:
- Hybrid touring bikes
- Full-carbon road bikes, on request
- Electrically assisted bikes, on request*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Note: the tour price does not include the fee to return the bike to Geneva at the end of the tour (€20 per bike, €30 per e-bike). This will be applied to your booking after confirmation.
Bikes come equipped with the following at no extra charge:
- Rear rack
- Water bottle cages
- Water bottle
- Repair kit with multi-tool
- Spare tube and CO2 cartridge (CO2 cartridge for road bike only)
- Helmet
- Lock
- Saddlebag (hybrid bike only)
- Hand-held bicycle pump (hybrid bike only)
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.Helmets:
Helmet rental is available on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Mary Partheymuller 17 hours ago
Wonderful way to bike through this Lake country of France from Geneva.
Loved the choices of sport versus moderate rides on several days, which satisfied all participants. As a single participant, the last hotel was disappointing, but satisfactory . Most accommodations were quite nice.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Arik 1 month ago
Nice ride. Two complaints.
1) The phone app didn't work at all (for three of us who tried). And the GPS they gave us as a backup is a decade outdated. Thank goodness for Google Maps, though that didn't always yield the most scenic routes.
2) Too much time spent on bike routes that were really highway shoulders, with a bicycle silhouette stenciled on the asphalt.Great hotels, fantastic food, (and priceless company we provided ourselves).
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Kirsten August 4, 2022
Thank you for leaving this feedback. We are working with our local partner to improve the phone app and GPS for this tour. We are glad you still had a memorable time and hope to help you plan your next trip!
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★★★★★ Ginger10 2 months ago
Perfect bike tour through stunning countryside
My husband and I completed this self-guided tour in June 2022. Everything about the trip was perfect. We went for the higher level accomadations and were very pleases, especially with the Chateau. Much of the trip is on bike paths which makes it more enjoyable. Luggage transferw were flawless and the e-bikes were terrific.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Becky August 26, 2019
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 9-13
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ KellyS August 7, 2018
Amazing Cycling Adventure
This 4 day/5 night cycling trip was the highlight of our summer trip to Europe. The variety of beautiful scenery during each day's bike ride was amazing. We loved stopping mid-day on days 2 and 4 to swim in the gorgeous lakes we were cycling next to (also don't miss the small lake next to the hotel at the end of your ride on day 3.)
We chose the A level accommodations and each was comfortable and quirky, with very friendly staff/hosts. And the local bike tour company (cyclomundo) did a very thorough job of reviewing maps, demonstrating the GPS, checking our bike fit, and answering questions on the first morning.
Two recommendations, consider carrying a picnic lunch with you on your daily ride (baguette, cheese, fruit, chocolate) so you can stop and eat at any of the picturesque places along the route. Also, your final stop, the city of Annecy, is a gem! If time and budget allow, plan to stay an extra day or two.- What was the date of your tour?
- July 15-20 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- First time!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ sacman July 12, 2018
Organized Adventure
Well organized trip down to the street. While normally I stay in design hotels, due to the nature of the trip and the remote locations, the team did a superb job in accommodating us. The Chateau was certainly the highlight.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 7
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ SarahG August 17, 2017
Great Trip!
It was everything I thought it would be.. beautiful French countryside, vineyards, fields of sunflowers, quaint villages, beautiful scenery. The weather was hot and that made the 1st day more challenging than I think it would have been otherwise
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our first bike tour
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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★★★★★ gsf1 August 8, 2017
- What was the date of your tour?
- 7/9/17
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Becca August 8, 2017
Savoie self-bike
Taste the cuisine and drink the wine of Savoie, swim in pristine lakes, visit medival villages, castles, and vineyards.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Jul 30
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ shea214 November 13, 2016
too much is too much
This tour is quite lovely, but not at the level we expected. This is our 8th tour so we feel we get them by now. We like the unguided aspect, but they completely outsourced the work of actual directions to a machine. It is not an adequate substitution. The machine added at least 15 miles on the first day and was most frustrating. Please, give us actual directions AND MAPS. A silly little device is certainly helpful but should not be a substitute. And the distance and hills were definitely not Medium. This was proven out the first night by the guy who biked to the hotel (he likes extreme and he thought it was tough).
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Lindsay Nash November 14, 2016
Hi! Thanks for your review. We're glad to hear that the tour was lovely despite the tour level not meeting your expectations. We're taking your review to our products team and to the local tour operator to re-assess the tour level. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping us to better advise other travelers in the future.
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I wanted to follow up once more on your review after following up with the local tour operator. They've never received complaints about the GPS before, and they did provide maps, a profile, and a large marked map in the roadbook on your tour. Also, to clarify, the client you mentioned who said it was a tough route was doing the more challenging version of the tour, not the version you went on. I'm sorry if that was confusing.
Again, we apologize the tour level did not match your expectations, but we do state clearly in the Surface and Terrain details about the daily climbing.
Thank you again for sharing your experience.
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★★★★★ JJHNL July 1, 2016
Great trip
Best tour ever. Great scenery and great tour company.
- What was the date of your tour?
- june
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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