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Stage by stage
stage 1 - Albertville 
Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse
144 km
Monday 6 June
Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse
144 km
Monday 6 June
En ligne - A sporting perspective
Bernard Thévenet:
« St Pierre de Chartreuse badly wanted to welcome the Criterium and we chose to go there right away. The route is purposely not too difficult. There will be two or three tricky hills, like in Chassignole, Chambery, that were tackled by the riders in the other way during the 1989 world championships. But the finale will be tough with a 10-km climb . »
Albertville
The medieval town of ConflansPhoto credit: the Communication department of the town of Alberville
Located in a magnificentnatural setting, Albertville’sbest-known assets lie in its history, its culture and its sporting tradition. Nestled amidst Alpine valleys, Albertville and the medieval town of Conflans are well-equipped for leisureactivities thanks to high quality facilities installed for the Olympic Gameshosted there in 1992. Listed as one of France’s “towns of art and history” andalso a recommended site for tourism by bike, it has succeeded in combining itsrecent Olympic past with its more distant history by offering visitors thechance to discover its heritage as well as to take part in sports activities inConflans, a dynamic town centre, the Olympic Parkfrom the 1992 Winter Games, etc. Albertville seems to be made for strolling around, with its picturepostcard views of the surrounding lakes and mountain ranges as well as itscollection of trails for walkers and cyclists, ranging from gentle tracks toveritable hikes which lead up to the most renowned mountain passes.
Located close to theBeaufortain Region, the Tarentaise Valley, LakeAnnecy and the RegionalNature Parkof the Bauges Mountains,Albertville isthe perfect place to set up camp, to enjoy a well-earned rest or just to take abreather before setting off again.
Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse
The village of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreusecredits: PNRC / JL. Rigaux
The birthplace of the Carthusian Order, founded by St. Bruno in 1084, and of the famous liqueur perfected by its monks, Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse is a mid-range mountain village where authenticity meets modernity. In the heart of Chartreuse Regional Nature Reserve, it offers a rich palette of activities sure to appeal to sports enthusiasts and those who simply enjoy contemplating nature. Its forested landscape, dotted with famous passes such as the Col du Cucheron, the Col de Porte and the Col du Coq, regularly welcomes cycling races. The finish of a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné in the village is in line with the promotion of cycling disciplines such as BMX, downhill and trial MTB, which the town has chosen to develop with the support of the Chartreuse Guiers Federation of Municipalities and Chartreuse Regional Nature Reserve. Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse has been classified as a health resort and is a peaceful haven, rich in history and heritage, and a delight to explore, be it on skis, in snowshoes, in hiking boots or by bike, etc.