The Ballon d’Alsace, the first col officially climbed by the Tour de France in 1905, is a must for any cyclist passing through the Vosges. From La Bresse, the climb offers a magnificent ride.
Cycling history: the Tour de France’s first col
The Ballon d’Alsace entered legend on 11 July 1905, during the 2nd stage of the Tour de France, Belfort-Besançon. René Pottier was the first rider to reach the summit ahead of the field, already earning him the reputation of king of the climbers. He would win the Tour de France the following year before dying tragically in 1907. The col has been climbed many times by the Tour since, especially in Alsatian and Vosges stages.
Among the most memorable passages: 1931, 1952, 1969, and also more recent editions when the Grande Boucle crosses the Grand Est.
Route from La Bresse
Head to Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle via Cornimont and Le Thillot (25 km, mostly gentle false-flat descent). Then tackle the 9 km climb, 580 m of ascent, average gradient 6.5%.
Total round trip: 65 to 75 km depending on the return, 1,300 m of positive elevation.
The four sides of the Ballon d’Alsace
Saint-Maurice side (Vosges side)
The classic side, used for the Tour de France. 9 km, 580 m elevation, 6.5% average, with a regular, shaded climb. Wide, well-surfaced road, ideal for a first approach. Some sections at 8-9% in the final third.
Sewen side (Alsatian side)
The hardest side. 8.5 km, 590 m elevation, 7% average, with pitches at 11% in the lower hairpins. The view over the Doller valley is spectacular. Often less busy than Saint-Maurice, adding a wilder dimension.
Bussang side (from the north)
Access from the Moselle valley. 12 km, 650 m elevation, 5.5% average. Very gentle start, difficulty increasing progressively. Practical for cyclists coming from La Bresse or Le Thillot.
Giromagny side (from the east)
From the Territoire de Belfort. 13 km, 700 m elevation, 5.4% average. The longest of the four sides, also the least steep. Forest route with a short exposed section at the top.
The col in numbers
- Altitude: 1,171 m
- Max gradient: 11% (Sewen side)
- Pro reference time: 25 minutes (Saint-Maurice side)
- Regular rider time: 40 to 60 minutes
Gravel on the Ballon d’Alsace
Gravel riders find plenty to enjoy on the secondary roads that ring the massif. The smugglers’ path, which historically linked Lorraine to Alsace before modern customs, offers a forest track usable by gravel bike and mountain bike. Access from Bussang or from the route des crêtes.
Other forest tracks in the massif allow building gravel loops of 80 to 120 km from La Bresse, with sections on both the Alsatian and Lorraine slopes.
Road bike vs gravel: for the main climb, a road bike remains faster and more comfortable on the well-surfaced asphalt. Gravel takes the advantage as soon as you want to explore the forest paths and secondary descents.
Refuelling on the route
Between La Bresse and the summit, water and food points are spaced out but real:
- La Bresse (start): bakeries, small supermarkets, village fountains. Stock up here.
- Cornimont (km 10 from La Bresse): bakery, café, fountain on the square.
- Le Thillot (km 20): shops, bakery, supermarket at the edge of town. Last real refuel before the climb.
- Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle (foot of the climb): café-restaurant, fountain.
- Summit of the Ballon: auberge restaurant (open in season), fountain. A well-earned beer or hot coffee before the descent.
Strava and records
The Ballon d’Alsace is one of the most popular Strava segments in the Vosges, with several thousand attempts recorded each year. Records on the Saint-Maurice segment are under 20 minutes, held by high-level local road cyclists. For a well-trained amateur rider, targeting 45 minutes is ambitious but realistic.
The feel
Regular, shaded climb, very well surfaced. Busy with cyclists in summer. Monument at the top, panorama over the Doller valley and the Bernese Alps on clear days. Auberge restaurant to refuel.
Combine with
- Loop via the Planche des Belles Filles (very demanding)
- Descent Alsace side down to Lac d’Alfeld
- Refuel at the Langenberg farm-inn
- For more routes, see our gravel loops around La Bresse
Tips
- Leave early on hot days
- 750 ml bidon minimum
- Windbreaker for the descent
- Favour May, June, September to avoid the heatwave
Book your chalet in La Bresse to make it your cycling base camp in the Vosges.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average gradient of the Ballon d'Alsace climb?
From Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, the average gradient is 6.5% over 9 km. From Sewen on the Alsace side, 7% over 8.5 km, with pitches up to 11%.
How long is the ride from La Bresse?
Around 65 to 75 km round trip depending on the return route, with about 1,300 m of climbing. Plan for 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Which side is the hardest?
The Sewen (Alsace) side is the steepest, with sustained pitches at 11%. The Saint-Maurice side from La Bresse is regular and more forgiving for long-distance riders.
When is the best season?
May, June and September. July and August are warmer but the road is very busy. The col is usually closed by snow from late November to April.