Above Villard-sur-Doron, the Signal de Bisanne ranks among the most feared climbs in the French Alps: 11.6 km at an 8.9% average, with sections at 20% that rival the most notorious Italian walls.
A gradient that flirts with 20%
From the Doron valley, the road climbs without transition through meadows and alpine hamlets, the gradient progressively hardening into stretches at 20% around Les Saisies-dessus. No flat section ever relieves the effort across the entire climb, demanding careful pacing from the very first hundred metres.
A dramatic entrance into Tour history
Long reserved for local cyclotourists, the Signal de Bisanne made a striking Tour de France debut in 2016, when Romain Bardet won atop the Beaufortain in a stage that has stayed in the memory. That appearance cemented the climb’s terrifying reputation among the professional peloton for good.
Getting the climb right
An extra-wide-range cassette is essential to avoid burning out on the steepest sections, while a computer displaying real-time gradient helps pace the effort on a climb where the slope constantly shifts.
When to go
May to October — the summit’s altitude and exposure make the road impractical outside this window.
Good to know
Beaufort, famous for its alpine cheese, and Villard-sur-Doron offer accommodation typical of the Beaufortain, perfect for combining the climb with exploring the surrounding alpine pastures.
