Col de la Madeleine, French Alps

Roads · Mountain pass · France

Col de la Madeleine

A regular Tour de France climb linking the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, with big views from the 1,993 m top.
Photo and licence
Length28 miles45 km
Driving timeAbout 1 hr 10 minwithout stops
OpenJun to Novusually
RoadNarrow in placesmoderate
Low carsGood
MotorcyclesGreat

Before you go

Long, steady climbs on both sides, passing Saint-François-Longchamp on the Maurienne side. Expect cyclists on summer mornings.

Which way round

Either way: about 19 km up from La Chambre, or 26 km from the Tarentaise side.

When it’s open

Usually open Jun to Nov. Opening depends on the snow, so check the status before you go.

The route

  1. La Chambre
  2. summit
  3. Celliers
  4. La Léchère

Driven it recently? Roadworks, a new surface, a closure we should know about? Tell us and we’ll update this page.