Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine

The Col de la Madeleine, in the heart of Savoie, links the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys.
Reaching an altitude of 1,993 metres, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding Alpine massifs, and on a clear day you can even see Mont Blanc in the distance.
The Col de la Madeleine car park has orientation tables to help you discover the surrounding peaks.

The winter and summer sports resort of Saint-François-Longchamp is just a few kilometres away, offering easy access to mountain activities and services. In winter, the ski area is linked to that of Valmorel and together they form the “Grand Domaine”: 165km of pistes for all levels.

A legendary stage in the Tour de France, the pass is a favourite with cycling fans, as well as bikers, who appreciate its harmonious curves and beautiful scenery.

Families will also find it an ideal setting for a mountain getaway, with its accessible walks, mountain pastures and viewpoints ideal for contemplation.

The Col de la Madeleine is an invitation to escape for all lovers of the Alps, combining unspoilt nature, the pleasures of the open road and wide open spaces.

The Col du Glandon

The Col du Glandon road was opened in 1898 and was not linked to the Col de la Croix-de-Fer road until 1912, providing access to Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, Saint-Jean-d’Arves and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.
It was only open from June to October.

In July and August 1944, as the Provence landings were being prepared, mobile group no. 5 of the Oisans maquis temporarily repelled a German attack near the pass; a memorial at the top of the pass commemorates this.

The Col du Glandon has been crossed a total of 23 times by the Tour de France.

The Col de la Madeleine

Known since Roman times, the Col de la Madeleine linked Épierre to Moûtiers.

In the second half of the twelfth century, monks from the Tamié Abbey in Tarentaise began to use the mountain pasture.

Later, in 1793, the pass was a strategic location for the Army of the Alps in its conquest of Savoie. General Kellermann, winner of the Battle of Valmy, recaptured the Tarentaise in just 3 weeks.

Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, refugees from the Spanish Civil War built a road from Saint François Longchamp.

In 1969, the road was completed to welcome the Tour de France riders for the first time. Since then, the Col de la Madeleine has been crossed 28 times by the Tour de France.