Cycling in the Maurienne Valley

Now with the green light that we can holiday in France again, we are so pleased to be able to share some of our own favourite activities to enjoy in the Alps…..For those who love being outdoors, there’s little more exciting than a cycling holiday. Navigating the challenges of new roads and trails a long way from home offers a satisfaction like no other.

The Maurienne Valley in the Savoie is the largest cycling network in the world providing 800km of connected routes and offers some of the toughest challenges of the Tour de France race. Stetching 120km from Italy to the French Alps and containing the largest concentration of legendary passes in the world, it’s a mecca for the seasoned cyclist, but also offers plenty of easier routes for the interested amateur. The Col de Glandon is without doubt one of the hardest Col's in the Maurienne, while the famous Tour de France hill climb the Col de la Croix de Fer passes through the resort of St Sorlin d'Arves on its way to the Vaujany Valley.

It’s a brilliant place for an outdoor holiday; and for anyone looking to invest, a fantastic choice for buying a holiday home. Not only can residents enjoy world-class cycling in the summer, but in the winter months the area also boasts some of the world’s best skiing - ideal for an outdoorsy family. One such area is the outstanding Les Sybelles ski area comprising 6 resorts and offering a wonderful 310km of linked skiing, making it France's 4th largest ski area in the Alps. 

The resorts of St Sorlin d'Arves and La Toussuire in Les Sybelles among others make excellent bases for cycling holidays, offering good access to the mountain passes and excellent local amenities. Of course, cyclists will be delighted to find small cafes and restaurants scattered along the roads, offering delicious and filling mountain specialities - perfect for carb-loading cyclists.

Hard slogs uphill are inevitable in such a mountainous area, but the rewards more than match the exertion. Spectacular mountain scenery stretching for miles around is visible at the top of each crest. What goes up must, inevitably come down, and there are few feelings as special as coasting downhill in some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes.

If you’ve taken a trip to the Maurienne Valley and caught the cycling bug, a local investment property could be a great way to feed your passion with prices from an incredible €5000/m2 for brand new properties. As well as a base from which to enjoy this incredible area, you could earn additional income renting it out when not in use should you wish to.

For more information on buying property in the Maurienne Valley and to find out what we have available, contact us today.