Get ready for one of the biggest cycling spectacles ever staged. From 24 August to 5 September 2027, the spectacular French department of Haute-Savoie will host the UCI Cycling World Championships – a unique “Super Worlds” bringing an extraordinary range of cycling disciplines together in one major event.
For nearly two weeks, elite riders, amateurs and specialists from around the world will compete across the mountains, lakes and towns of Haute-Savoie. Road racing, mountain biking, gravel, BMX, trials, indoor cycling, cycling esports and para-cycling will all feature.
And for cycling fans, there is another attraction: this is not simply a sporting event. It is an excellent opportunity to combine the World Championships with a holiday in one of France's most spectacular Alpine regions.
Think Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc, Chamonix, Sallanches, Les Gets, Morzine, Châtel, Evian-les-Bains and the Aravis mountains – all within the wider World Championship region.
When Are the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships?
The main Haute-Savoie programme runs from:
24 August – 5 September 2027
The junior track championships take place earlier, from 16–20 August, while the elite track championships take place from 26–30 August. The track and para-track events are held at the National Velodrome in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Paris, rather than in Haute-Savoie.
The Haute-Savoie programme itself is spread across numerous locations, making this much more than a traditional road cycling World Championship.
Key dates for your travel planning
| Date | Major event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 24 August | Gran Fondo World Championships | Thônes / La Clusaz |
| 25 August | Para-cycling Road – Mixed Team Relay | Rumilly |
| 26 August | BMX Freestyle Flatland / Bike Polo | Cluses / Vétraz-Monthoux–Annemasse |
| 27 August | BMX Racing Finals / Mountain Bike Downhill | Site to be confirmed / Les Gets |
| 28 August | Mountain Bike Downhill Finals | Les Gets |
| 29 August | Elite Men's Road Race | Sallanches – Domancy |
| 30 August | Indoor Cycle Speedway / Trial events | Various locations |
| 31 August | MTB Cross-country Short Track / Cycling Esports | Les Gets / Evian-les-Bains |
| 1 September | Elite Individual Time Trials / Cycling Esports | Lake Annecy / Doussard / Evian |
| 2 September | Mixed Relay Time Trial / Women's MTB XCO | Annecy-Doussard / Les Gets |
| 3 September | Trials Finals / Indoor Cycling | Sallanches / La Roche-sur-Foron |
| 4 September | BMX Freestyle Park / Men's MTB XCO | Cluses / Les Gets |
| 5 September | Elite Women's Road Race | Sallanches – Domancy |
The programme means that visitors can potentially watch a different cycling discipline almost every day. Dates and locations should still be checked before booking, particularly for events where the final competition schedule or venue arrangements may change.
The Big Attraction: Road World Championships
For many international visitors, the highlight will be the Elite Men's Road Race on 29 August and the Elite Women's Road Race on 5 September.
Both races are centred on Sallanches and Domancy, an area with enormous cycling history.
The road circuit includes the famous Côte de Domancy, a climb of approximately 2.5 kilometres averaging 9.4%, with sections reaching around 16%.
This is the same legendary climb associated with the 1980 World Championships, when Bernard Hinault became World Champion in Sallanches.
The 2027 course starts and finishes in Sallanches, with riders completing multiple laps of the 13.3-kilometre circuit. That makes the area around Sallanches and Domancy particularly attractive for spectators because they can potentially see the riders pass several times.
Where Should Cycling Fans Stay?
The sheer geographical spread of the championships means that choosing your base is important.
Annecy – Best for a Combined City & Lake Holiday
Annecy is an excellent base for visitors who want more than cycling.
The beautiful old town, canals and Lake Annecy provide plenty to do between races. The area is particularly suitable for visitors who want to combine the World Championships with swimming, walking, cycling, restaurants and sightseeing.
Annecy is especially convenient for the time trials around the lake and provides relatively good transport connections.
Budget accommodation can often be found slightly outside the historic centre, while mid-range hotels are available around the railway station, old town and lake.
Sallanches – Best for the Road Races
If your main objective is the men's and women's road races, Sallanches is an obvious place to consider.
You are right in the heart of the Mont-Blanc region and close to the legendary Domancy climb.
The surrounding towns of Passy, Cordon, Combloux and Domancy can also be interesting alternatives if accommodation in Sallanches becomes expensive or sells out.
Les Gets / Morzine – Best for Mountain Bike Fans
Mountain biking fans should look towards Les Gets and Morzine.
The region is part of the Portes du Soleil and offers spectacular Alpine scenery, hiking, mountain biking and cable-car excursions.
It is particularly attractive if you want to turn your World Championship trip into an active mountain holiday.
Châtel – Best for Gravel
Gravel racing takes place around Châtel and the Portes du Soleil.
Châtel is a beautiful mountain resort and makes a good holiday base for visitors who prefer a smaller Alpine village atmosphere.
Recommended Hotel Areas
Because August is still high season in the French Alps, booking early will be important.
Budget
Look for:
- budget hotels around Sallanches
- accommodation in Passy
- hotels around Cluses
- apartments outside Annecy's historic centre
- hostels and simple accommodation in Annecy
- self-catering apartments in the mountain resorts
Mid-range
Good areas include:
- Annecy centre and the lake
- Sallanches
- Cordon
- Combloux
- Morzine
- Les Gets
- Châtel
Self-catering apartments can be particularly interesting for a week-long stay because they provide a kitchen and more space while potentially reducing restaurant costs.
Hotel Examples
Current business listings give several useful examples to investigate:
Sallanches
ibis budget Sallanches Pays du Mont-Blanc – a straightforward budget option.
Hôtel du Mont Blanc – another centrally located option.
ibis Styles Sallanches Pays du Mont-Blanc – a mid-range alternative.
Best Western Plus Pays du Mont Blanc - Auberge de l'Orangerie – a higher mid-range choice outside central Sallanches.
Morzine
Hôtel La Bergerie
Hôtel Champs Fleuris
Hôtel Les Fleurs
Annecy
Première Classe Annecy Cran Gevrier – useful for budget travellers.
ibis Annecy Centre Vieille Ville – convenient for visitors wanting to stay close to the historic centre.
Hôtel des Alpes – another centrally located mid-range option.
Prices during the World Championships can be considerably higher than normal summer rates, so these should be regarded as examples of accommodation to investigate rather than fixed 2027 prices.
How to Get There
Flying from the Netherlands
For international visitors, Geneva Airport is particularly practical.
Direct flights currently operate between Amsterdam Schiphol and Geneva, including services by KLM and easyJet. The flight time is roughly 1½ hours.
From Geneva, Annecy is easily reached by road or public transport.
There is also a direct cross-border coach service between Geneva Airport and Annecy. Line 272 currently provides numerous daily connections between the airport and Annecy.
For visitors travelling by train, Annecy also has direct and connecting rail services towards Geneva.
Lyon Airport
Another possibility is Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport.
The airport has its own railway station, with connections to cities including Annecy. This can be useful if flight prices to Geneva are unusually high.
By Car
For travellers from the Netherlands, Belgium or western Germany, driving to Haute-Savoie is an attractive option, particularly if you want to stay for a week or longer.
A car gives you considerably more flexibility between the different World Championship venues.
However, don't expect to drive directly to every race location on competition day. Road closures, restricted parking and large spectator numbers are likely to affect access.
For the major road races, it is sensible to park outside the immediate competition zone and continue on foot or use local public transport where available.
A One-Week World Championship Holiday
Yes – absolutely.
In fact, the 2027 Super Worlds lend themselves perfectly to a combined cycling and sightseeing holiday.
Suggested 8-day itinerary
Day 1 – Annecy
Arrive in Geneva and travel to Annecy.
Explore the historic centre and enjoy dinner beside the canals.
Day 2 – Lake Annecy
Relax around the lake.
Hire bicycles and ride part of the famous lakeside cycle route, or take a boat trip.
Day 3 – Sallanches & Mont-Blanc
Travel towards Sallanches.
Explore Sallanches, Passy and Cordon and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 4 – Men's Road World Championships
Head to Sallanches and Domancy for the Elite Men's Road Race.
The Côte de Domancy is the obvious place for cycling fans to experience the atmosphere.
Day 5 – Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Take a day away from the competition.
Visit Chamonix, enjoy mountain views and, weather permitting, take a cable car excursion.
Day 6 – Les Gets & Morzine
Experience the mountain-bike side of the championships.
Combine the competition with hiking, mountain scenery or a ride through the Portes du Soleil.
Day 7 – Annecy / Lake Annecy
Return towards Annecy.
Enjoy the lake, old town and local restaurants.
Day 8 – Departure
Travel back to Geneva Airport or continue your French Alpine holiday.
Why Extend the Trip?
One of the biggest advantages of the 2027 World Championships is that Haute-Savoie is already a superb holiday destination.
You don't have to spend every day watching cycling.
Between competitions you can explore:
Annecy
Historic streets, canals, Lake Annecy, cycling and lakeside restaurants.
Chamonix
The famous Mont-Blanc mountain scenery, hiking and cable cars.
Sallanches & Cordon
Traditional Alpine landscapes and spectacular views towards Mont Blanc.
Les Gets & Morzine
Mountain biking, hiking, cable cars and Alpine villages.
Châtel
A picturesque mountain resort and gateway to the Portes du Soleil.
Evian-les-Bains
Lake Geneva, waterfront walks and a completely different atmosphere from the high mountains.
La Clusaz & Thônes
Excellent destinations for combining the Gran Fondo with an Alpine holiday.
How Much Should You Budget?
For a couple travelling independently, a realistic planning budget for a one-week trip could be approximately:
| Item | Indicative budget for 2 people |
|---|---|
| Return flights Netherlands–Geneva | €250–€500+ |
| 7 nights budget accommodation | €700–€1,100+ |
| 7 nights mid-range accommodation | €1,100–€1,700+ |
| Rental car | €300–€500+ |
| Meals & drinks | €400–€700 |
| Local transport / parking | €100–€200 |
| Attractions & cable cars | €100–€300+ |
Estimated total: approximately €1,850–€4,000 for two people, depending heavily on accommodation, flights, rental car and how many paid mountain attractions you choose.
These are planning estimates rather than confirmed 2027 event prices. During the championships, accommodation demand could push prices substantially higher.
Book Early for 2027
The combination of the World Championships and the normal August Alpine holiday season means accommodation is likely to be particularly sought after.
For visitors concentrating on the road races, I would investigate Sallanches, Passy, Cordon and Combloux.
For a broader holiday, Annecy provides an excellent base.
And if mountain biking is the main attraction, look towards Les Gets, Morzine and Châtel.
The Ultimate Cycling Holiday in France
The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc are much more than a road cycling World Championship.
They bring an extraordinary variety of cycling to one of Europe's most spectacular mountain regions.
From the legendary Côte de Domancy and the shores of Lake Annecy to the mountain-bike trails of Les Gets and the spectacular landscapes of the Portes du Soleil, the event offers cycling fans an opportunity to combine world-class sport with a genuine Alpine holiday.
For international visitors, the formula is simple:
Fly to Geneva – rent a car – choose two or three bases – watch the World Championships – explore the Alps – and turn the Super Worlds into a memorable French summer holiday.
The current official programme confirms 24 August–5 September as the main Haute-Savoie period, with 15 Haute-Savoie competition sites and the separate track programme at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
For readers arriving by air, Geneva is particularly convenient: the current Annecy–Geneva Airport Line 272 offers direct cross-border coach connections, while Annecy–Geneva also has rail connections. Amsterdam currently has direct services to Geneva with KLM and easyJet; 2027 schedules should of course be checked when bookings open.
One small editorial detail I would keep in the article: don't describe every event as taking place in Haute-Savoie. The elite/junior/para track championships are in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines near Pari
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