La Banquise sur La Lechere

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.

Magnificent with views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles d'Arves.

Very nice climb to the hill especially with motorbike

The Col de la Madeleine is a place with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains.

Straddling the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys. Honda motorcycle on display at the pass.

Stunning view of Mont Blanc from the viewpoint. The road is winding but very passable. A beautiful drive.

Magical, magnificent, unforgettable.

Magnificent mountain pass with views of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles d'Arves...

A very beautiful site with exceptional hikes.

A legendary mountain pass, climbed in summer, simply exceptional scenery