Col de la Madeleine, route guide

Technical data

The technical sheet

1 993 m

Altitude

The sign says 2,000 m

19,3 km

Distance

Depuis La Chambre

1 522 m

Elevation gain

7,9 %

Avg. gradient

Max 13.5%

5 °C

Min. temp

At the summit, summer morning

HC

Difficulty

Hors catégorie since 1995

Elevation profile

La Chambre → Col de la Madeleine

Distance -

Altitude -

Local gradient -

472 m → 1 993 m Total distance

< 3% 3–5% 5–7% 7–9% 9–11% 11–13% > 13%

History & Legend

The pass that took twenty years to build

Long before the tarmac, the Madeleine was a mule track, the shortest link between the Maurienne and the Tarentaise valleys. Monks from Tamié Abbey drove their herds over it from the 12th century, using the alpine pastures of Celliers, and in 1792 General Kellermann's troops crossed it during the conquest of Savoy.

In 1949 the département decided to turn this strategic crossing into a proper paved road. The works took twenty years. The road was inaugurated on 6 July 1969, and just two days later the still-new asphalt welcomed the 111 riders of the Tour de France on the Chamonix–Briançon stage, under snow showers. Spaniard Andrés Gandarias crested first, ahead of Paul Gutty and Raymond Poulidor.

The Madeleine has been part of the legend ever since: hors catégorie since 1995 and climbed around thirty times by the Tour. The only road crossing of the massif between Savoy's two great valleys owes nothing to its altitude, 1,993 m, and everything to its gradient: 19.3 km at almost 8%, with no flat section to recover on.

1969

Andrés Gandarias

First man over the top, in the snow, two days after the road was opened.

1979 · 81 · 83

Lucien Van Impe

The Belgian climber crested first three times, the Madeleine became his hunting ground.

1995 · 96 · 97

Richard Virenque

Three summits in a row. In 1997 he crested alone, 22 seconds ahead of Riis, Escartín and Ullrich.

2025

Vingegaard & Ferrand-Prévot

Jonas Vingegaard led over the top on the Tour; Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won at the summit on the Tour de France Femmes.

The Anecdote

The sign at the top proudly reads 2,000 metres. The Madeleine actually tops out at 1,993 m, seven metres that keep it out of the very select "2000 club", and that cyclists never quite forgive. Tradition says you settle the matter by adding them yourself on the terrace of La Banquise, the pass's bistro.

Scenery & Sensations

What you will experience

The forest and forty hairpins

Past Saint-Martin-sur-la-Chambre the gradient jumps to 8–9% and never lets go. The hairpins come one after another, around forty of them, first through meadows, then in the shade of a broadleaf forest that closes off the valley view around km 5. At Le Planet, earth pillars stand above the road like stone chimneys.

High pastures and Mont Blanc

After the Saint-François-Longchamp ski resort the forest opens onto vast alpine meadows. The last five kilometres give a full 360° panorama: Mont Blanc to the left, the Lauzière spires to the right, cattle, wind and silence. The hardest kilometres, and by far the most beautiful.

Practical tips

Before you go

Best time of day

Start early. La Chambre is one of the hottest spots in the Maurienne in summer, and the first exposed kilometres are costly. Before 9 am you climb half the ascent in the shade.

The trap

Saint-François-Longchamp at km 13 feels like the finish. There are still 6 km and nearly 350 m of climbing left. Riders who accelerate through the resort pay for it in the pastures above. Minimum recommended gearing: 34×30, or 34×32 if you're not a climber.

Food & water

Four fountains line the climb, but you have to spot them. The safe bet is Saint-François-Longchamp at km 13 (shops and water). At the top, La Banquise serves tarts and hot drinks.

Weather & conditions

The pass is usually open from early June to late October depending on snow, check the status of the RD 213 on the Savoie département website. Expect 10–12 °C less than in the valley, and a frequent headwind in the final pastures. A windproof jacket is essential for the descent.

Access & parking

La Chambre (472 m) is reached via the A43, Saint-Avre / La Chambre exit. Free parking in the village. By train, Saint-Avre–La Chambre station is 2 km from the foot of the climb.

The MyKollectOr terminal

The MyKollectOr terminal is at the start, in La Chambre. Scan it before you set off, your ride is recorded and your medal unlocked at the top.

Col de laMadeleine