The pass
The Col du Galibier (2,642 m) links the Maurienne (Valloire, via the Col du Télégraphe) to the Briançonnais (Col du Lautaret). Crossed by the Tour de France since 1911, it is one of the most famous passes in cycling; a monument to Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour, stands near the summit. From the top there are views of the Meije, the Écrins and, in clear weather, Mont Blanc.
Valloire
A village resort at 1,430 m known for its sculpture competitions (in snow in January, in straw and hay in summer) and its Baroque church. The starting point of the climb: 18 km to the Galibier.
Things to do
- Drive to the summit (or to the tunnel under the pass) and walk ten minutes to the viewpoint indicator.
- For cyclists: Télégraphe + Galibier from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, the classic 35 km climb.
- Walks from the pass towards Lac des Cerces or the Grand Galibier.
- Driving loop: Galibier – Lautaret – Briançon – Montgenèvre – Fréjus tunnel (a long day, see our Briançon page).
Practical information
- By road: about 1 h 10 via Modane, the A43 or the D1006 to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, then the Col du Télégraphe and Valloire.
- Pass closed in winter (generally from November to late May / early June); Valloire remains accessible and becomes a ski resort.
- Warm clothes even in August: it is often below 10 °C at the summit.