Brides-les-Bains, the perfect base camp for cyclists
Nestled in the heart of the most stunning mountain scenery, Brides-les-Bains is the perfect base to explore the Alpine passes on a road bike.
With quality accommodation and facilities, this village in the Savoie region is the gateway to some truly legendary cycling routes.
Brides-les-Bains could just be the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get (back) in the saddle
Iconic Alpine Routes to Discover by Road Bike
Highly prized by professional cyclists, the Alpine circuits boast countless attractions to captivate road bike enthusiasts.
From Brides-les-Bains, the ascents to Col de la Loze and Col de la Madeleine rank among the must-do routes.
Starting from the village or nearby, several climbs let you pedal through stunning mountain landscapes: Méribel climb, Pradier climb, Prioux climb...
Extending the exploration around Brides-les-Bains, many other road bike routes cater to the most demanding cyclists, such as Cormet de Roselend or Col de l’Iseran.
To discover all the routes, check out the dedicated page: Cycling the Alpine passes on a road bike
How do I choose my road-cycling route?
Although it’s accessible for beginners, road cycling still requires a certain level of fitness, especially in the mountain environment.
This is a physical activity that will develop your cardio fitness, test your speed and challenge your endurance, power and strength.
To take full advantage of the benefits and the pleasures of cycling, it's essential to choose the right route to suit your level of ability (and all the necessary protective kit!).
Short or long distances; riding time; difficulty; elevation; solo, with friends or in a team; leisure cycling or racing, etc.
There are so many things to consider when choosing an appropriate road cycling route.
Other activities at Brides-les-Bains
As well as being a rewarding activity in itself, road cycling has the huge advantage of also being a mode of transport!
From Brides-les-Bains, you can explore some wonderful natural scenery on two wheels, opening up a whole range of other activities.
You can take a hike through valleys and peaks, wander in the mountains within the Parc de la Vanoise, discover local wildlife and cultural sites, play golf, try via ferrata or water-based activities.
Suitable for various types of roads and paths, mountain bikes can offer a pleasant alternative to a standard road bike.
There are many ways to combine cycling with other activities so you can enjoy changing things up.
Bikes in Brides-les-Bains: events and partnerships
Col de la Loze Challenge
In the heart of the 3-Valleys area, the Col de la Loze links the resorts of Méribel and Courchevel.
At an altitude of 2,304 m, it's only accessible by bike or on foot.
Well known for its difficulty level, the ascent can be made via the slopes of Méribel or Courchevel (the more accessible option).
The Col de la Loze was the playground of cycling pros at the Tour de l’Avenir in 2019, a legendary stage at the 2020 Tour de France and seems to be on the bucket list of an ever-increasing number of cycling enthusiasts.
Departing from Brides-les-Bains, the route takes you just over 22 kilometres towards the Col de la Loze (featuring 1,715 metres of elevation with some sections having a 20% gradient!).
The local authority has held the “Col de la Loze Challenge” cycling sportive every summer since 2020.
Featuring various race formats, access to e-bikes and staggered start options for women, this extraordinary challenge combines a love of cycling with the most stunning scenery.
How can I prepare for my Alpine mountain pass cycling trip?
Brides-les-Bains famously boasts a wide variety of winter and summer activities, while also being the perfect base camp from which to tackle the Alpine mountain passes on a bike.
Whether you're enjoying a weekend away, a short break or a longer holiday, this pleasant village has a range of amenities and specific services, such as group activities, bike storage and hire and places to eat.
All for your pedalling pleasure!
More info: : for bike hire and maintenance services in Brides-les-Bains, contact : Obiclou (06 79 45 74 17) in Brides-les-Bains, Veloland Mout'n bike in Moûtiers (04 79 40 16 35) and Espace VTT in Courchevel (06 18 08 18 41).
Cycling around Brides
Saint-Peter cathedral
Descriptive
Cathedral of the former diocese of Tarentaise, listed as a Historic Monument, it has undergone many transformations over the centuries. The cathedral has a composite architecture (Romanesque choir, Gothic facade, neoclassical naves). Many artistic works inside.
Christianity was organized in Tarentaise at the beginning of the 5th century. It is from this period that probably dates the first cathedral whose history did not leave us any traces. On the same site, several buildings succeeded one another until the 11th century. Lombard masons were then called. These craftsmen from the north of Italy were going to make a name for themselves from the shores of the Mediterranean to England or to Germany for some.
The architecture includes a Romanesque choir from the 11th century, a Gothic façade from the 15th century, and neo-classical naves. Among the many artistic works, we can mention the burial of the 16th century, a remarkable polychrome sculptural group of life size.
The choir, apse and bell tower are the oldest parts of the cathedral, dating back to the 1020s.
The nave and the western sideboard were completed in the 15th century (Gothic style).
The vaults collapsed after the destruction of a bell tower during the Revolution and only the bay above the entrance survives from this period.
In the 17th century, the current dome was added to the crossroads of the transept.
After the Revolution, the church was restored in the 19th century, it is from this period that the paintings that adorn the choir and the transept date.
St. Peter’s Cathedral preserves several artistic treasures:
- a superb 16th-century Place in the tomb of Christ: a remarkable life-size polychrome carved group.
- a liturgical cloak embroidered with gold and silver thread on silks from Lyon, from the 1930s.
- the Cavaillé-Coll organ buffet acquired at the time of the annexation of Savoy to France in 1860 is also a centrepiece of the building.
Practical Information
Opening Times :
Throughout the year : open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.Languages spoken :
- English
- French
- Italian
Services :
- Guided tours
Equipements :
Car parkTariffs