Ride Col de la Bonette and the greatest climbs of the Southern Alps — stay in 4-star comfort at Les Gîtes de l'Argile.
Two rentals in Faucon-de-Barcelonnette and an apartment in Barcelonnette’s pedestrian centre. Choose according to your sleeping arrangements and access needs.
Secure bike storage is provided at En toute amitié and L’Intermède in Faucon-de-Barcelonnette. La Capitale is a town apartment without bike storage or a garage.
6 main sleeping places · up to 8 guests with the sofa bed
Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
4 main sleeping places · up to 6 guests with the sofa bed
Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
3 main sleeping places · up to 5 guests with the sofa bed
Barcelonnette pedestrian centre
A south-facing, 35 m² apartment in a village house, for a town break with shops and amenities nearby.
4th floor, stairs only — no lift.
No bike storage or garage. Free parking nearby, with no reserved space.
Col de la Bonette (2,802m), Col de Vars, Col d'Allos, Col de la Cayolle — four major cols within 40km.
No Tour de France crowds. Low-traffic tarmac. The Southern Alps secret the pros know.
June to September: 300+ days of sunshine per year. Snow-free cols from mid-June.
Start with a warm-up spin, then build toward the big alpine loops across the valley.
Epic
Moderate
Planning a cycling week in the Alps?
Check availability for your cycling weekKeep your road or gravel bikes in a secure, locked storage area with step-free access before and after every ride. It is built for multi-day cycling stays, so your bikes and kit stay protected without taking over the apartment.
Col de la Bonette: 28km · Col de Vars: 28km · Col d'Allos: 35km · Barcelonnette: 8km
Your base camp for the 7 Cols. Secure bike storage, powerful showers, fully equipped kitchen, high-speed WiFi. Sleep well. Ride harder.
Book your cycling staySpot the four classic cols you can ride from your basecamp before planning the rest of your week.
A warm and efficient welcome, high-quality amenities, spaciousness, comfort, tranquility, mountain views, cleanliness, and an ideal location in the Ubaye Valley...
— Franck, 🇫🇷 France
A very spacious apartment with a small terrace offering a superb view of the surrounding mountains. It features 3 beautiful bedrooms and a spacious living room/kitchen.
— Lydia, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
The perfect spot for cycling enthusiasts. The space is on the ground floor with easy access, and it stays cool inside even on hot days.
— Magdalena, 🇵🇹 Portugal
Choose the pace that suits your group, then book directly online.
Select your dates — instant availability.
The col is typically snow-free from mid-June to mid-October. July and August offer the most reliable conditions, though early starts are recommended to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
It is a serious climb — 24km at an average gradient of 6.5% from Jausiers, reaching 2,802m. Strong intermediate cyclists complete it comfortably with a proper warm-up day.
Yes. All main col roads are well-surfaced tarmac suitable for 25mm tyres. Gravel routes require a minimum 35mm tyre.
Rental options are possible in the valley. We strongly recommend bringing your own bike or arranging rental in advance via a specialist provider. Contact us for current recommendations.
There are multiple bike shop in Barcelonnette (8km away) for basic spares and repairs or complex mechanical work.
By car: Barcelonnette is 3.5h from Lyon, 2.5h from Marseille. By train: Nearest station is Gap (SNCF) or Aix en Provence TGV. Car hire or transfer required for the final.
We do not offer luggage transfer directly. Contact us when booking to discuss options.
Yes. We regularly host groups and can accommodate route planning. Contact us for group rates.
Recent activity from the Gîtes de l'Argile Strava profile.