La Banquise sur La Lechere

We had glorious weather this time with a fantastic view of Mont Blanc. Which isn't very often the case. 😊

Beautiful place, but be careful on the road leading there, it has some hazards for motorcyclists.

Mountain pass with magnificent views. Dream roads for bikers like my partner and me.

A spectacular view of Mont Blanc

The Col de la Madeleine is one of the great passes of the French Alps and a must-see destination for those who love mountains, scenic roads, and cycling. The paved road leading to the pass is a true experience: a succession of curves and hairpin bends immersed in a spectacular Alpine landscape, with deep valleys, forests, meadows, and mountains that accompany the climb to the highest altitudes. Traveling this road is a pleasure, especially if you take your time, allowing yourself to be captivated by the constantly changing panorama as you ascend. Reaching the summit provides a wonderful sense of freedom and allows you to admire a truly impressive panorama. The Col de la Madeleine is also a legendary climb for cycling enthusiasts, linked to the history of major competitions and major challenges in the Alps. Riding it allows you to experience the special atmosphere that only historic cycling roads can convey. A perfect place to reach by car, motorcycle, or bicycle, with a panoramic paved road that makes the journey as important as the destination. Magnificent views, spectacular nature, and a road that thrills you kilometer after kilometer. A highly recommended stop, and one of those Alpine roads truly worth traveling at least once in your life.

One of the most beautiful passes

A 360° view with Mont Blanc as a bonus! Very windy. Hold on to your caps or hats 😅

The climb from La Chambre was very beautiful. I think it was both stimulating and challenging from a cycling perspective (I wouldn't be capable of it). The views were varied, sunny, well-maintained, and beautiful. The descent to Albertville was more challenging, with narrow sections and no guardrails on the steep climbs and cliffs. The lower-to-mid section was through a beech forest.

Magnificent mountain pass with a superb view of Mont Blanc (when it is clear) and a very beautiful road on both sides, especially for motorcycles; it is a bit narrow for cars.

The Col de la Madeleine is a legendary mountain pass in the French Alps, located in Savoie at an altitude of 1,993 meters. It is a major crossing point connecting the Maurienne Valley to the south and the Tarentaise Valley to the north. Classified as an "Hors Catégorie" (Beyond Category), it is a must-see for cyclists and the Tour de France. Hiking and Panoramic Views: The summit offers breathtaking views of the Lauzière and Vanoise massifs, with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc on a clear day. Opening Period: Due to snow cover, the D213 departmental road that crosses the pass is closed in winter. It is generally open from the end of May to October. Nearby Resorts: The pass provides direct access to the Saint-François-Longchamp resort on the Maurienne side, which is linked to Valmorel (on the Tarentaise side). The pass offers two very different profiles depending on the side chosen: The southern side (from La Chambre): This is the most challenging and consistent side. The climb is 19 km long with an average gradient of 7.9% and 1,522 meters of elevation gain. The gradients often approach 10-11% without any real flat sections. The northern side (from Feissons-sur-Isère): A much longer but more irregular climb. It stretches for nearly 26 km at an average gradient of 6.5%, interspersed with a descent and flat sections allowing for recovery.