Route Blog Stage 14. Annemasse - Morzine. 152km
Between December and June, we’re going to blog, one stage at a time, about the 2023 Tour de France route. You’ll find stage descriptions for every stage on our Route page.
This is the stage where we hit the Alps – no longer looking at them for afar but embracing the climbs and enjoying the views close up.
Annemasse is in France but is so close to Geneva that in many ways it feels like a Swiss suburb, albeit in another country. It’s more of an industrial town than charming one – but with its proximity to lake Geneva and the Alps, it’s also an easy place to like.
As we ride, we soon get views of Lake Geneva (known in French as Lac Leman), the largest lake in the Alps. It’s 580 km2, 60% in Switzerland and 40% in France and, if you’re after more fun facts, in 1827 it was the first place that the speed of sound was tested in fresh water!
As our wheels turn south and we start heading into the mountains, it’s tempting to think of the Alps only in terms of sport; especially for anglophones, the Alps are famous almost exclusively for skiing, cycling and hiking (and maybe tartiflette at a push) – but the history and culture go well beyond ski lifts, wooden chalets and cow bells…
Until the late 1800s (ie. quite recently), most of the Alps were not split between France, Switzerland and Italy as they are now, but were part of a separate country called the House of Savoy (technically a Duchy) which began in Switzerland in the middle ages. You’ll see many shops, restaurants and other things named “Savoyarde” or “Savoie” which is not just a geographic region but a very strong identity.
This means that Alpine culture and traditions aren’t so much separated by the 21st century countries which they geographically belong to – they are much more generally Alpine with a combined, distinct and independent regional character…
From the “gentle” sport of female cow fighting (the battle is for a wreath of flowers), an Alpine beard festival, flag throwing, yodelling and the “cow’s descent” (a late summer parade down from the summer pastures to show off the quality of this year’s cheese and traditional costumes), the Alps are awe-inspiring, thought-provoking and just plain beautiful.
Morzine is a great town and over the last two decades has made a concerted effort to extend its winter appeal into a year-round resort. This means hosting events ranging from the Tour de France to the Mountain Bike world cup and endurance and family events like the “passports du soleil”.
This stage is part of the following Loops: Second half, Middle Mountains, Mountains Week, Alps & Grand Loop.
Don’t just watch it; Ride it!