List of mountain roads closed in France this summer to benefit cyclists
Several departments are closing routes leading to mountain passes for half-days
Routes are closed to motorbikes and cars so that cyclists can enjoy them in peace
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Roads and paths in several of France’s mountain ranges are to be temporarily restricted for vehicles and open exclusively to cyclists this summer.
The ‘Cols réservés aux cyclistes’ scheme sees certain departmental roads (RD) or smaller paths in villages temporarily closed to road traffic for half a day, allowing cyclists to use them at their leisure without risk of colliding with cars.
Roads are usually closed in the morning for around four to five hours, although for special events can be closed in the evening or even late at night.
The scheme began in 1997, and has since spread to several areas of the country.
It runs sporadically on dates between June and October, but mostly in the high summer (late June to mid-August).
In some cases, routes are closed multiple times per year to allow several rounds of cyclists to benefit.
This year, a ‘Tournée des grands cols’ in the Hautes-Alpes department will see five famous passes shut across a five-day period – one each day – allowing cyclists to follow a prolonged trail car-free.
These are (in order from June 30): Galibier, Granon, Échelle, Izoard, Agnel.
The full list of routes being partially closed to vehicle traffic in the department are as follows:
June: 29th Puy-Saint-Vincent, 30th, Galibier
July: 1st Granon, 2nd Échelle, 3rd, Izoard, 4th Agnel, 6th Espréaux, 15th Risoul, 16th Granon and Moissière, 17th Galibier 25th Orcières
August: 5th Galibier, 6th Pommerol and Noyer, 7th Izoard, 8th Céüse, 10th Sentinelle; 12th Chabre, 13th Granon, 19th Risoul, 29th Orcières.
September: 7th Agnel
October: 22nd Orcières
It is not only in the Hautes-Alpes where roads will be closing, however.
Four communes in the neighbouring Alpes-de-Haute-Provence will also take part in July, with a further three closures between August and September.
In the Haute-Savoie, the following roads will also be closed, mostly on Tuesdays:
July 1: Col de Solaison via RD 186 (12 km)
July 8: Col de Leschaux via RD 912 (12.8 km)
July 15: Montée d'Ajon via RD 26 (9 km)
July 20: Col de Joux Plane via RD 354 (20 km)
July 22: Col des Pitons (Salève) via RD 41A (10.6 km)
July 29: Montée de la Sambuy via RD 112 (6.3 km)
August 5: Montée du Semnoz via RD 41 (17 km)
August 12: Col de Joux Verte via RD 228 (13.5 km)
August 19: Col de Cou via RD 12 (8.5 km)
August 26: Plateau des Glières via RD 55 (10.5 km)
Outside of the Alps, some paths in the Massif Central will also be closed, particularly in the Gard.
For further information, check local mairie or department websites, or contact local cycling groups.
Read more: Changes aim to reduce cycling accidents in France
