Col du Galibier, Mountain pass in Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France.
The Col du Galibier rises to 2,642 meters in elevation, connecting Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Briançon through the southern section of the French Alps.
The construction of the mountain road started in 1879, and workers completed the 363-meter tunnel in 1891 to facilitate passage through the summit area.
The Tour de France first included this mountain pass in 1911, with Emile Georget becoming the first cyclist to reach the summit without dismounting.
The road remains open from June to October, while winter conditions force its closure from November through May due to substantial snow accumulation.
The northern climb from Valloire extends 18.1 kilometers with a 6.9 percent average gradient, reaching sections of 12 percent near Granges du Galibier.
Location: Savoie
Location: Hautes-Alpes
Elevation above the sea: 2,642 m
Part of: Route des Grandes Alpes
GPS coordinates: 45.06400,6.40800
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:54
France offers motorcyclists a diverse landscape, from Alpine peaks to Mediterranean coasts, including wine regions. The country is suitable for all riding styles, with demanding mountain roads, winding coastal routes, and rural paths. Key routes include the Col de la Bonette, reaching 2802 meters and connecting Ubaye to Tinée over 26 kilometers. The Gorges du Verdon feature 21 kilometers of rock-carved road, passing through tunnels and 700-meter-high cliffs. The Routes of the Great Alps cross 16 passes over 684 kilometers between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean, with a total ascent of 15,700 meters. Mount Ventoux, accessible via three routes and standing at 1912 meters, passes through lavender fields and vineyards in Provence. Regions display striking contrasts: Corsica alternates between cliff roads and pine forests, the French Riviera combines coast and mountainous hinterland, and Dordogne winds between limestone cliffs and medieval villages. Lake Annecy connects water bodies with forested mountain passes. These routes feature technical curves, varied landscapes, and cultural sites.
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