France Col du Chaussy - Lacets de Montvernier
Col du Chaussy - Lacets de Montvernier Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

21.5
PDI
8.3 mi
DISTANCE
3,257 ft
GAINED
7.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France

INTRO

While this climb is fairly pedestrian at 8.3 miles, 3,275’ of gain and 7.5% average grade the statistics would not warrant attention. However, this is simply an amazing climbing experience with 17 hairpins (lacets in french). .4 miles up the climb we begin an unparalleled set of compressed hairpins known throughout the world as “lacets de Montvernier” (or in english Shoelaces of Montvernier) that cover 1.2 miles/1.9 km at 8.7% average grade gaining 540’. This is a climb that simply must be done if one is anywhere in or near the Savoie Department of southeastern France.

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There is street parking, in town, at the base of the climb.

The surface is excellent, as it's repaved whenever the Tour de France rides through.
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Difficulty: Challenging
5
Road
5
Traffic
5
Scenery

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Sep 2, 2024
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
Sep 2, 2024
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
While the views can be obscured by the trees, the switchbacks are a delight and continuing on is worth it. It connects to Col de Chaussy and Col de la Madeleine if you are into Col-collecting. There is a nice food stop at Chaussy with 360° views.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Col du Chaussy via Lacets de Montvernier

Ride 13.4 kilometers gaining 993 meters at 7.4% average grade.

Col du Chaussy via Lacets de Montvernier includes the amazing series of switchbacks that ascend a cliff face in the Maurienne Valley in Savoie, France. This road, though not as long or as high as many famous cycling routes in the Alps in the area (Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon, Col du Madeleine), has gained considerable fame and popularity among cyclists due to it being featured in the Tour de France once for Col du Chaussy (2015) and three times for Lacets de Montvernier (2015, 2018, 2022) as of 2023.

The climb begins just northeast of E70 and D1006 near Pontamafrey, six kilometers north of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

This is one of the world class road bike climbs in the Saint Jean de Maurienne Climb Zone. Some of the most famous bike climbs are found within a 25 kilometer straight-line radius of this climb, including Col de Croix de Fer, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, Col de la Loze, and the start of Alpe d’Huez is 60 kilometers as the crow flies.

The shorter Lacets de Montvernier route overlaps the longer Col du Chaussy climb.  The 2022 Tour de France route climbed Lacets de Montvernier, but turned right and headed toward Col du Télégraphe at the town of Vernier instead of traveling northerly on to Col du Chaussy.

Well . . . it’s not called Lacets de Montvernier for nothing . . .

The striking visual feature of Lacets de Montvernier is the 17 hairpin bends compressed into such a short climb. From a distance, the road appears to be a series of tight laces running up the side of the mountain.This is one of the greatest hairpin climbs in the world, with an astounding 17 lacets in just 1.9 kilometers at 8.7% average grade.

Wonderful views southeast of the Maurienne Valley as we wind our way up the mountains.

Turn left in Montvernier onto D77 at kilometer 3.5 to continue on to Col du Chaussy.

The road is very narrow with a sheer cliff to the right for 100 kilometers at km 9

Nearing the finish.

Col du Chaussy

TOUR DE FRANCE

Lacets de Montvernier has been included in the Tour de France 3 times as of 2023 (2015, 2018 and 2022).  The tour has never included Col du Chaussy on the heels of Lacets de Montvernier.

Stage 18 of the 2015 Tour de France - Lacets de Montvernier

Stage 19 of the 2015 Tour de France - Col du Chaussy.

Stage 12 of the 2018 Tour de France - Lacets de Montvernier

Stage 11 of the 2022 Tour de France - Lacets de Montvernier

Remnants from the 2022 TdF.