The 103rd Tour de France will run between 2 July and 24 July 2016 and will be made up of 21 stages. The penultimate stage, between Megève and Morzine, takes place on 23 July and it is bound to be gripping. If you are a cycling enthusiast and would love to witness part of the Tour, we highly recommend that you attend the 20th stage.
Not only will it be the last stage before the grand finale in Paris, but it will also be the last mountain stage and will include a climb of the Col de Joux Plane, one of the Tour’s most renowned ascends. Thus, if you are looking for an exciting stage that won’t be too crowded but that is not just a flat stage either, Megève to Morzine is for you!
Tour Highlights: Megève and Morzine
Megève
Numerous stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné (one of the most significant races during the lead-up to the Tour de France) have started here, and Megève is where, in 2014, one of the race’s most exciting events took place. On their way to Courchevel via Megève, frontrunners Alberto Contador and Christopher Froome respectively lost ground unexpectedly and struggled against an impressive breakaway!
Megève has been a Tour de France unseen stage city until 2016, which can only make it even more exciting to watch!
Morzine
Morzine has been part of the Tour de France since 1975. It is here that renowned riders, such as the Italian Marco Pantani and the French Richard Virenque, secured stage wins. Colombian fans also hold Morzine in high esteem, as Lucho Herrera won a stage in nearby Avoriaz (1985) and Fabio Parra triumphed as champion of the Tour de France thanks to his win in the same town (1988).
Stage 20: An Overview
Stage 20 of the Tour de France, 146 kilometres long, is the last of nine mountainous Alps stages and most likely the last chance for riders to make a difference to the Tour’s final outcome. It has four mountain tops that riders will have to crest: while the first two, Col des Aravis and col de la Colombière, should be nice warm ups, Col de la Ramaz and Col de Joux Plane, third and fourth respectively, are definitely more of a challenge, and a great spot from which to watch the race.
After the Col de Joux Plane, riders get a quick rest thanks to a gentle drop and a short ascent, after which the stage ends with a steep, 8-kilometre-long plunging drop at 8’4%.
Mountain Passes: Col de la Ramaz and Col de Joux Plane
The Col de la Ramaz has a just-over-7% gradient, but its 13’9 kilometres of length and its irregularity (kilometre 10 is the steepest, with an 11’5% climb) make it a tough ascend for many.
The Col de Joux Plane offers 11’6 kilometres with an average 8’5% gradient, with its steepest kilometre being the 10th, too, at 10’5%. This mountain pass has been the weakness of many great riders in the past, including Lance Armstrong, who could not dominate it even during his time as King of the Tour.
Tourist Highlights: Megève and Morzine
Megève
- Le Chemin du Calvaire is a lovely hiking trail that begins in the city centre. On a clear day, the views are utterly gorgeous. There are picturesque, small chapels and churches along the trail that will take you back in time.
- Megève Rouchebrune Cable Car is the best way to see Megève itself, as well as the valley and the mountains that surround it. There is a great cafe at the lower base where you can relax before or after the journey.
- Lac de Javen is a wonderful spot for picnics and fishing enthusiasts. Here, you can also find occasional water sports in summer.
Morzine
- Indiana Parc, along the river, is great to both admire the natural surroundings and do some more adventurous activities, such as high ropes courses, zip wires, and pony rides.
- Archery lessons are available at a few spots in and around Morzine, so you can hone in your bow-and-arrow skills within a wonderful setting.
- The Children’s Mini Farm, where children can feed donkeys and pet other farm animals, such as goats and sheep, for an entertaining summer’s day.
How to Get to Megève
Geneva is Megève’s closest airport. The flight from London takes just one and a half hours and a return trip is usually around £80 per person.
As there is no public transport available, the best and easiest way to travel between Geneva Airport and Megève is by booking one of the various Geneva airport transfers available. The journey is only an hour and fifteen minutes long and you won’t need to worry about bulky luggage or extended waiting times.
Where to Stay:
Le Gai Soleil – Looking out onto stunning mountain panoramas, this is a detail-oriented establishment where you will find chic and comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving delicious gourmet meals, and a fitness centre and cinema room with nightly screenings open to guests.
Au Vieux Moulin – A stylish and central hotel in central Megève, it offers proximity to both the shopping area and the cable cars, so you can easily organise your day, as well as a balcony in almost every room. It has a restaurant and a bar where you can try local delicatessens and wine.
Les Fermes de Marie – This rustic but highly sophisticated hotel is a joy to stay in. The rooms are cosy and stylish, the food is both beautifully presented and incredibly tasty, and it has a fitness centre and swimming pool available to guests. Moreover, this hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the centre of Megève!
