Roadside camping in Morzine, July 2010

SDF64

Has anyone been in Morzine when the tour has been on?

A few of us are heading across that way in July to catch the stage up to Avoriaz and are planning on camping by the roadside. I’ve already checked out the local campsites and they’re all fully booked (no surprise there).

The plan is to camp close to the bottom of the Pleney ski lift as apparently there are public toilets close by. Does anyone know if this is possible?

Cheers
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herbert h

I've not been there in the summer, but have recently come back from snowboarding in Morzine. The Pleney lift is right on the edge of town and any open space around it is piste - i.e. it's on a steepish slope. In the summer there is also a luge run and mountain bike trails that come down to the bottom of the lift. Can't imagine its the best place to camp and you might well get moved on.

The French are not big on wild camping. That said, when the Tour's in an area no-one seems to mind what you do. Last time I went to see the Tour in the Alps we found numerous roadside spots to camp at without problem. I'd suggest trying to find a spot somewhere on the climb. There are several cafes and restaurants on the road up to Avoriaz where you could maybe use facilities.

xio

probably wildly too late to answer this, but you ain't camping at the bottom of the Pleney in July! Basically, there's the luge (as mentioned), and further along they put up an electric fence and let the horses roam. For the night before the tour, just head up the mountain towards Avoriaz and get away form the road and I'd imagine you'd be fine. Other than that, I'd suggest somewhere down in the valley by the river - where you could walk into town for beer/food/public toilets. Probably not entirely legal, but if you pitch up late and clear out early it's hard to see anyone stopping you, Plenty of people park up in camper vans in the car park at the bottom of town, between the supermarket and the swimming pool. Probably not when the tour's on though as that's where they put the riders village. Failing that, try campsites in Montriond, Les Gets or St Jean d'Aulps - all of which are an easy ride to Morzine.

SDF64

Thanks for the advice guys.

I've managed to get us into a campsite in Samoens (the other side of the Joux Plane) so should be fine now. Probably drive over the mountain on the day, park up and head up towards Avoriaz on the bikes.

We're planning on getting there a few days before the stage into Morzine so will hopefully have chance to ride the Joux Plane and Colombiere plus others.

Can't believe it's only weeks away now.

pdstsp

If you are staying in Samoens you could always ride up the Ramaz in the morning and then ride doen into Morzine and up to Avoriaz - the Ramaz is pretty spectacular towards Sommand and would actually make a great place to watch the Tour go by if you didn't want to be on the final climb. There will be a few restaurants etc open up there in the ski station so should be a good atmosphere.

Just a suggestion.

Also if you are in the area for a few days do the Col D'encrenaz from Morzine dropping into Taninges - lovely techy descent.