Switzerland: from the Simplon pass to the place des Nations

We leave the Simplon pass and ride along the Rhône to Geneva. Reaching the Western tip of the Lake Geneva, we put an end to our 17-month odyssey. Thanks to the numerous friends and relatives who came to greet us, our arrival at the place des Nations is a great way to finish our journey.

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We leave the Simplon hospice simultaneously with the ski tourer groups. We ride carefully during the downhill ride, without taking any risks and reach Brig in less than two hours.

Famous bridge on the way down from the Simplon

Presenting our journey to students from the St-Maurice highschool

Jean-Pascal Genoud, who runs the Simplon hospice

Start from the Simplon hospice, with highschool students from St-Maurice

There are no more difficulties on the road to Geneva. We have a lot of luck because temperatures are rather warm for the season. In Sierre, we camp by the still frozen Lake Géronde. This will be the last bivouac of our trip.

Rhône valley

Bivouac in Sierre

Rhône valley, between Sion and Martigny

We are welcomed in Martigny by Tom, our Scottish friend, who has a small whisky tasting session in store for us. On the following day, we are hosted by my brother and my sister-in-law in Renens, where we rest for a day before the final stage.

Start from Martigny with Tom

After 19'400 km, we see the Lake Geneva again

The Chillon castle

We tell our story to this enthusiastic couple of ramblers

We ride along the superb coast between Montreux and Lausanne

Fondue with Loïc and Eulalie (my brother and sister-in-law, who I both love so much!) in Renens

On Sunday, January 12, we hit the road from Renens for the very last stage of our journey. Moment of intense emotion. Eulalie, then Christelle and Olivier join us on the way.

Last stage, even Eulalie's fixie is accepted in the peloton!

A last drink before the goal, with Christelle, Eulalie and Olivier

The big time has come, the one we thought so many times about: the arrival in Geneva at the place des Nations after 17 months of travel...

... And finally, it's an intense and wonderful moment, beyond anything we could have imagined. We will never forget this arrival at the place des Nations, among all the beloved ones! From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all of you for your welcome!

Pictures of our arrival at place des Nations


Many thanks to Olivier, Philippe, Philippe and Pierre for the pictures. See also, the photo gallery of La Tribune de Genève, the local newspaper.

And finally, a short Youtube video footage of our last day of riding (thanks to Eulalie).

We made it! Thanks to all for your support!