Route de l'Iseran and Col de la Madeleine Motorcycle Ride in the French Alps

The Route de l'Iseran - Rue sous l'Église is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, within the Graian Alps mountain range. This road traverses the Massif de la Vanoise and the Gruppo del Charbonnel, both subranges of the Alps. The route runs alongside the river L'Arc for over half of its length and passes through the Combe de Cléry and Vallée du Ribon valleys. The road reaches elevations between 1,427 m (4,678 ft) and 1,785 m (5,856 ft), including the notable Col de la Madeleine mountain pass at 1,746 m (5,728 ft). The road ends near the village of Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis. An interactive map showing the road section discussed can be found at the end of this article.

The road extends approximately 13 kilometers (8.0 miles) and is primarily asphalt surfaced with a high-quality rating of 4.2 out of 5. It is mostly two lanes wide (about 80%) with a small portion of one-lane sections (around 7%). The width is predominantly wide (about 89%), with some middle-width sections (9%) and very narrow stretches (1%). The road is gently curved, rated at a low curviness level of 1.01, making it manageable for riders who prefer less technical turns. Speed limits vary along the route, with maximum speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph), 70 km/h (43 mph), 50 km/h (31 mph), and 30 km/h (19 mph) depending on the section. Approximately 39% of the road passes through inhabited areas, providing occasional village and settlement views.

The Col de la Madeleine is the key mountain pass on this route, situated at an elevation of 1,746 m (5,728 ft). This pass is a well-known feature in the French Alps and is frequently referenced by motorcyclists and cyclists alike. The road runs adjacent to the L'Arc river for over half its length, offering a natural corridor through the alpine landscape. The route also crosses the Combe de Cléry and Vallée du Ribon valleys, adding to the varied terrain and elevation changes experienced along the ride.

There are no specific motorcycle-related closures reported for this road. However, as a mountain pass road in the Alps, it is subject to seasonal closures during winter months due to snow and adverse weather conditions. Riders should verify current road status before planning a trip. There are no tolls or entrance fees associated with this route at present, but toll conditions may change in the future. For updated information on road tolls and fees in France, riders can consult official French road authorities or tourism websites.

This article focuses on the section of Route de l'Iseran including Rue sous l'Église and the Col de la Madeleine pass. For more detailed geographic and travel information, the following resources are recommended: L'Arc River Wikipedia, Vanoise Massif Wikipedia, and Alps Wikipedia. An interactive map of the road section is provided below for route planning and visualization.