France and Switzerland 3 lakes cycling tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Human-powered transport
Cycling is at the heart of this four-day journey from Annecy to Geneva. Travellers cover approximately 230 km by bike, following a route connecting three Alpine lakes: Lake Annecy, Lake Bourget and Lake Geneva. Each stage is completed by bicycle, allowing travellers to experience the Alpine landscape at a slow pace while keeping transport emissions during the itinerary very low.

Reducing transport emissions
The journey has been designed as a continuous point-to-point cycling route, avoiding the need for motorised transfers between the daily stages. Our one-way bike service allows travellers to collect their bicycles in Annecy and finish the journey in Geneva without having to return to the starting point. Both Annecy and Geneva are well connected by rail, giving travellers the possibility of reaching and leaving the itinerary by public transport rather than relying on a private car.

Responsible accommodation
We favour small-scale, independent and locally operated accommodation along the route wherever possible. Environmental practices are taken into consideration when information is available, including measures to reduce water and energy consumption, limit single-use plastics, recycle waste, reduce unnecessary laundry and use environmentally responsible cleaning products.

Vegetarian and vegan options and local food
Travellers are encouraged to choose vegetarian and plant-based meals and to discover seasonal food produced in the Alpine regions. The route crosses the vineyards of the Combe de Savoie and passes through towns and rural areas where travellers can support independent restaurants, cafés and regional producers. Our recommendations favour local and seasonal products wherever possible, helping travellers make lower-carbon food choices while contributing to the economies of the communities visited.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Low-impact travel through Alpine and lakeside environments
The itinerary follows established cycle routes, greenways and existing roads through the Alpine landscape. It passes alongside three major lakes – Annecy, Bourget and Geneva – as well as the Rhône and areas of vineyards, mountains and wetlands. Travellers are encouraged to remain on designated cycling routes, particularly around sensitive lakeside and river environments, helping to minimise disturbance to surrounding habitats.

Raising traveller awareness
Each traveller receives a digital roadbook containing recommendations for reducing their environmental impact throughout the journey. Travellers are encouraged to stay on marked paths, respect protected areas, avoid disturbing or feeding wildlife, keep noise to a minimum and never leave waste behind.

This is particularly important around the lakes, rivers and mountain environments crossed during the journey. Travellers are also encouraged to carry reusable water bottles and bags and to sort their waste whenever facilities are available.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This journey distributes tourism spending across several communities in the French Alps and along the Rhône, with overnight stops in Aix-les-Bains and Seyssel before finishing in Geneva.

Wherever possible, we prioritise independent hotels, guesthouses and locally operated accommodation. Travellers are also encouraged to support independent restaurants, cafés, shops and regional producers throughout the journey.

Cycling allows travellers to stop in smaller communities and rural areas that can easily be bypassed by faster forms of transport. The route through the Combe de Savoie vineyards, Alpine towns and villages provides opportunities to discover regional products and contribute directly to local businesses.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

We work with local and regional tourism providers to operate this journey, including accommodation providers and other businesses along the route. Prioritising local services helps retain a greater share of tourism revenue within the destinations visited and supports regional employment.

We and our operational partners are expected to comply with the applicable employment legislation and working standards in France and Switzerland, including legal wage and employment requirements.

The trip is designed to welcome travellers from different backgrounds and with different levels of cycling experience. The availability of conventional bicycles and e-bikes can make the itinerary accessible to a broader range of cyclists, allowing travellers to complete each stage at their own pace.