Marmotte, Tour de France and Etape du Tour
Sun 30 June & Sun 7 July
2024 Marmotte Gran Fondo, Tour de France and Etape du Tour with Sportive Breaks
Our tour starts with the original European sportive and still one of the hardest. The Marmotte takes in four giant alpine climbs, all legendary from the Tour de France finishing with the mighty Galibier and then Alpe d’Huez. A serious challenge! Also part of the Marmotte weekend are the Grimpee Time Trial on Friday and the Ultra route option with over 6500m of climbing which takes place alongside the Marmotte on Sunday 30 June. The other big Sportive, the Etape du Tour takes place in Nice a week later on Sunday 7 July giving us the brilliant opportunity to ride both! As an added bonus, the Tour de France visits Valloire straight after the Marmotte so we will stay around for a few days to catch that.
Stay in Alpe d’Huez with us for 3 nights followed by 3 nights in Bourg d’Oisans and 4 nights in Nice. Our support includes mechanic service, guided rides and private feed stations. We also offer Marmotte entry in wave 1 with a 07:00 start or wave 2 with a 07.30 start, a group meal night in Alpe d’Huez and airport transfers from Geneva airport and back to Nice airport.
Please book an extra night on Thursday if you want to take part in the Grimpee de L’Alpe; Alpe d’Huez Time Trial on Friday morning.
2024 Tour de France
After its Grand Depart in Italy, the 2024 Tour de France comes into the French Alps with a stage from Pinerolo to Valloire followed by a stage start in St Jean de Maurienne the day after. Before we move to Nice for the Etape, we will watch the riders of the Tour as they tackle the same roads as you did on the Marmotte.
Cime de la Bonette
Take the opportunity to ride the Cime de la Bonette with us ahead of the Etape weekend. One of Europe’s highest roads also features on the Tour de France in 2024.
2024 Etape du Tour
The 2024 Etape du Tour will take place in Nice on Sunday 7th July. The start is in Nice and the finish is on the Col de la Couilolle, located 90km north of Nice. Stage 20 of the 2024 Tour de France is 132 kilometres long, but packs in 4 climbs. The finish is situated at the Col de la Couillole, 15.7 kilometres long with an average of 7%. The other climbs are the Col de Braus (10 kilometres at 6.6%), the Col de Turini is the longest climb of the day with 20.7 kilometres at 5.7% with the highest point at 1,608 metres above sea level. The Col de la Colmaine is roughly 20 kilometres long and averaging almost 5%.
Available for Groups
This tour is available for groups of 8. Please contact us for more information. Email us: hello@sportivebreaks.co.uk or call us on 0161 676 0390
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
Guaranteed Marmotte and Etape Entry: Place in the early wave at 07.00 on the Marmotte and guaranteed Etape entry delivered to your hotel on the Etape.
Private Feed Stops: Drop off your day bags, re-energise with sports nutrition + savoury food on the Galibier & the final climb. Bag drop at the start in Bourg d’Oisans also available. Two private feed stations on the Etape route.
Mechanic support: Expert mechanics on hand.
Guided Rides: On Friday & Saturday before the sportives to some great local routes close to Alpe d’Huez and Nice. Guided rides to watch the Tour de France.
What's Included?
Accommodation
Hotel in Alpe d’Huez for Marmotte, in Bourg d’Oisans and in Valberg near the Etape finish.
Meals Included
Breakfast and evening meals
Guided rides
Ahead of the Marmotte and Etape plus to watch the Tour de France. Also ride the Cime de la Bonette, France’s highest road.
Private feed stops
On Gran Fondo Day
Mechanic
Expert mechanic on hand all weekend
Marmotte and Etape du Tour Entry included
Marmotte – Wave 1. Etape du Tour – delivered to your hotel
Airport transfers included
From Geneva airport (GVA) and back to Nice Airport (NCE)
Transport included
Transfer from Bourg d’Oisans to Valberg. Transfer to the start in Nice on Etape day.
Prices
Stay with us in Alpe d’Huez and Le Bourg d’Oisans and enjoy the beautiful French Alps before moving to the Cote d’Azur. The dates of the Marmotte, the Tour de France’s first Alpine visit and the Etape du Tour are perfect for a Marmotte, Etape double trip in July 2024.
Prices
- £3499 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds) and 1 double room (1 bed for couple)
- £850 supplement per person based on single occupancy of a room.
Included with your tour
- 2024 Marmotte Entry in the first start wave at 07.00
- 2024 Etape du Tour Entry delivered to your hotel
- 3 nights at hotel Petit Prince in Alpe d’Huez (Fri – Mon)
- 3 nights in Bourg d’Oisans (Mon – Thu)
- 4 nights in Valberg (Thu – Mon)
- Local expert guides and bike mechanic
- Daily Breakfasts and Dinners
- Guided rides
- Private feed stops on Marmotte and Etape day
- Bag drop at the Marmotte start
- Transport to Nice from the Alps
- Transport to Etape du Tour start
- Detailed itinerary
- ABTA protected
Also available
- Bike Rental – Ridley Fenix SLIC Di2 – More Information
- Sports Medical Certificate Online Service – More info here
Itinerary
Day To Day
Please make your way to Alpe d’Huez today or make use of our airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you. The transfer takes 3 hours from Geneva. Please arrive today if you would like to do the Alpe d’Huez Time Trial tomorrow (Grimpee de L’Alpe).
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have planned to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with building your bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Group airport transfers from Geneva Airport – Included
Today we offer one airport transfer which departs Geneva Airport at 14.00. When you make your booking, you can add this group airport transfer. Please book a flight that arrives before this time. (please note that your return will be to Nice Airport)
Please click here for more information on group transfers – Link
Please contact us for a quote on a private airport transfer at another time from Geneva Airport or from Lyon Airport. Below you will find some guide prices for private airport transfers.
Geneva Airport Private Transfers
- 1 – 4 persons with bike boxes – £350 single journey/ £700 return journey
- 5 – 8 persons with bike boxes – £400 single journey / £800 return journey
- 9+ Please Contact Us
Lyon St Exupery Airport Private Transfers
- 1 – 4 persons with bike boxes – £250 single journey/ £500 return journey
- 5 – 8 persons with bike boxes – £300 single journey / £600 return journey
- 9+ Please Contact Us
Group Meal Night
This evening we will meet for our group meal night at a local restaurant.
Your stay will be for 3 nights. You will have an early breakfast on Marmotte day. You have the option to come and join us at our meal night at a local restaurant. This is a set menu with two courses (included).
For those of you who arrive on Thursday, you can take part in the Grimpee de L’Alpe. After breakfast descend to Bourg d’Oisans and from 09.00 you can set your PB on the Alpe d’Huez climb during the official Alpe d’Huez TT, the Grimpee de L’Alpe.
Friday arrivals
Fly into Lyon or Geneva where our team will meet you. The transfer takes just over 2 hours from Lyon and 3 hours from Geneva.
Please make your way to Alpe d’Huez today or make use of our optional airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you. The transfer takes 3 hours from Geneva. Please arrive today if you would like to do the Alpe d’Huez Time Trial tomorrow (Grimpee de L’Alpe).
Group airport transfers from Geneva Airport – Included
Today we offer one airport transfer which depart Geneva Airport at 11.00 and at 16.00. When you make your booking, you can add this group airport transfer. Please book a flight that arrives before the transfer time.
Please click here for more information on group transfers – Link
Private Airport transfers
Please contact us for a quote on a private airport transfer at another time from Geneva Airport or from Lyon Airport. Below you will find some guide prices for private airport transfers.
Geneva Airport
- 1 – 4 persons with bike boxes – £350 single journey/ £700 return journey
- 5 – 8 persons with bike boxes – £400 single journey / £800 return journey
- 9+ Please Contact Us
Lyon St Exupery Airport
- 1 – 4 persons with bike boxes – £250 single journey/ £500 return journey
- 5 – 8 persons with bike boxes – £300 single journey / £600 return journey
- 9+ Please Contact Us
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have planned to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with building your bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Group Meal Night
This evening we will meet for our group meal night at a local restaurant.
Guided ride
If you are on the earlier arrival, we will run a short (but punchy) guided ride down Alpe d’Huez, over the Balcons and back up the Sarenne departing Alpe d’Huez at 15.30.
This afternoon you can go to the expo to collect your race bib for tomorrow. This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at our meal night at a local restaurant (included).
After breakfast and preparing the bikes, we will take you on a supported, guided ride that takes in the Villard Reculas climb which is the easiest way to get back up to Alpe d’Huez. We will descend to Bourg d’Oisans, ride along the valley floor and climb back up to Alpe d’Huez.
We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow. This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through Marmotte day logistics and of course the route.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at a local restaurant the meal night.
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant.
The Marmotte start is done in waves. You will be allocated a start pen with a time that you must enter the pen plus a start time. The Marmotte is a race with one cut off point. You need to have passed the start of the Alpe d’Huez climb in Bourg d’Oisans before 18.15 otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish in Alpe d’Huez or you can still climb Alpe d’Huez and finish in your own time.
Once you finish in Alpe d’Huez, there’s no need to worry as you are staying near the finish.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us for our meal night at a local restaurant. After the meal we’ll have a few drinks at a local bar to celebrate your achievement.
A day to chill out and rest after yesterday’s event. Why not go for a walk in the mountains, have a dip in the outdoor pool or sit on the hotel terrace?
In the afternoon we will transport you to Bourg d’Oisans where we will stay for 3 nights on half board basis so with breakfasts and dinners included.
After breakfast, we will take you on a guided ride to watch the riders of the 2024 Tour de France as they race into the French Alps after the Grand Depart in Italy. The stage starts in Pinerolo (It) and finish in Valloire which you will know from the Marmotte.
Evening meal at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will leave Alpe d’Huez and take you on a guided ride to watch the riders of the 2024 Tour de France as they will start in the Maurienne Valley to leave the French Alps after the Grand Depart in Italy.
Evening meal at the hotel.
After breakfast we say goodbye to Bourg d’Oisans and we will make our way to the Mediterranean coast. The drive is about 5 hours and your bike will be transported fully assembled.
We will be staying for 4 nights in Valberg at hotel Chalet Suisse near the finish of the Etape du Tour on half board basis.
Main features of staying near the finish
- Airport transfers required from Nice Airport to Valberg/ Beuil (2 hours)
- Dinners included.
- Entry delivered to you.
- Early start on Etape du Tour day (transfer to the start of the Etape du Tour included)
- Finish the Etape and relax.
As the summit of the Col de la Couillole has very limited space, all riders will be required to descend soon after they finish.
- Beuil is the location of the Etape du Tour finish village and is located at 8km from the finish on the Col de la Couilolle. This is the closest venue to the finish.
- Valberg is the nearest resort with more hotels and is located at 13km from the finish on the Col de la Couillole.
This morning we will take you for a guided ride in the area. There are many possibilities within direct access from Valberg.
- Isola 2000 (finish of Stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France
- Col de la Bonette as featured on stage 19 – 55km from Valberg
- Col de la Couilolle – the Etape finish climb and featured on Stage 20
This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. Evening meal at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will take you on a supported, guided ride. We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow.
This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through Etape day logistics and of course the route.
The evening is free for you to eat out at a local restaurant.
We also offer a return trip to Nice today for those who are interested (£50 additional cost)
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant.
The Etape du Tour start is done in waves. You will be allocated a start pen with a time that you must enter the pen plus a start time. Please note that Sportive Breaks has no influence on start pens or timings.
The Etape du Tour is a race with various cut off points. You need to have passed each cut off point at certain times otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish.
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfasts are arranged in the hotel restaurants.
Transfer to the start
This morning we will transfer you to Nice for the start of the 2024 Etape du Tour.
As you are staying near the finish, just descend down to Beuil and enjoy your achievement before riding back to your hotel. Assistance is available for those who can’t ride back.
Evening meal and support packing bikes this evening.
After breakfast we offer our optional transfers back to Nice Airport at set times.
More About the Event
La Marmotte
La Marmotte is known to be one of the hardest sportives to participate in. Taking place in June this year, our travel packages include tackling 4 alpine climbs which have become legendary thanks to the Tour de France. This route is a serious challenge and a fantastic achievement.
What is La Marmotte Sportive?
La Marmotte is the ultimate cycling test and also the oldest sportive in the cycling calendar. At 174km, this one-day classic includes conquering famous climbs from the Tour de France including the Galibier, the Glandon and the Croix de Fer. The Marmotte has one cut off point. You need to have passed the start of the Alpe d’Huez climb in Bourg d’Oisans before 18:15 otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish in Alpe d’Huez. Once you finish in Alpe d’Huez, there’s no need to worry as you are staying near the finish.
First held in 1982, this is still one of the most popular cycling events in the world and a bucket list sportive all riders should try at least once.
Sportive Options
The famous Marmotte Granfondo Alps finishes with the legendary Alpe d’Huez. The famous 21 hairpin bends must be conquered before the final release of the finish. It takes courage to overcome the 174 kilometres and 5,000 altimeters of this epic cycling challenge.
The route features 6 of the most legendary passes in France: in order of appearance on the route: the Glandon, the Croix de Fer, the Telegraphe, the Galibier, the Lautaret, and finally the final ascent of Alpe d’Huez. Whether you aim for a certain time or you just want to finish, every participant leaves Alpe d’Huez with a satisfying feeling and bragging rights knowing that they have conquered this challenge.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 175 | 5516 | 5/5 |
2024 Tour de France first Alps visit – Tue 2 and Wed 3 July
After the Grand Depart of the 2024 Tour de France in Italy, stage 4 on Tuesday 2 July starts in Pinerolo near Turin and ends in Valloire after 138 kilometres. The riders cross into France via the Col de Montgenevre after scaling Sestriere first. The finish is in Valloire on the Col de Galibier. During the Marmotte you will descend this way. The day after the start is given in St Jean de Maurienne. From here the riders will leave the Alps via Chambery.
2024 Etape du Tour
The 32nd edition of L’Étape du Tour de France will be held on 07 July 2024 on the route of the 20th stage of the Tour de France, between Nice and the Col de la Couillole, a 138km route with more than 4,600 metres of ascent, including the climbs of the Col de la Couillole, Col de Braus, Col de Turini and Col de la Colmiane.
Climbs Involved
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.