I guess it depends on what type of tourist things your partner would like to do? Is it walking through the old parts of towns, museums, day spas, shopping or walks with amazing scenery etc? As this would direct you to which areas would be better to visit and meet both your needs.
Bormio Italy has a couple of amazing loops - but won't take too long to walk through the old part of town and only other attraction in town is a day spa.
I was in Bormio for a couple of days last September
Stelvio -
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... -18th.html"
Mortirolo and Gavia -
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... -19th.html"
As to the French Alps - I spent a month in 2011
Barcelonnette as already mentioned has a couple of good loops. Not sure what there would be to do as a non cyling tourist other than scenic walks?
I did the Col d'Allos then Col du Champs then Col de la Cayolle loop the other direction. Due to the very rough descent off the Col du Champs I'd recommend the above anti clockwise direction.
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ember.html"
Bonnette - via a longer loop over the Lombarde and Larche
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... e-8th.html"
Briançon is a UNESCO world heritage site. Izoard, French side of Agnel are worthwhile riding
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ember.html"
Bourg d'Oisans is at the base of Alpe d'Huez and has a great collection of rides - cycling guide
http://www.bikes-oisans.com/IMG/pdf_186 ... -web-2.pdf" I found it a nice little village, but as I was out riding every day didn't look to see what would fill a day doing tourist things.
Bourg St Maurice has more great riding - the surroundings are very scenic so would offer nice walks but not much in town:
Cormet de Roselend
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... -sept.html"
col du Petit St Bernard
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... e-san.html"
and the Col de l'Iseran
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ugust.html"
Buis Les Baronnies is a very pretty little village below Mont Ventoux
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ember.html" and is close to Avignon for a day sightseeing there plus the rest of the wonderful Provence area to explore?
Annecy is meant to be quite nice and recommended to me when I was planning my trip. Close to some great climbs and set on the shore of Lake Annecy.
Vercors area just West of Grenoble is very scenic with many Michelin Three starred roads. Not the big cols but very nice riding.
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ember.html"
http://climbinglama.blogspot.com.au/201 ... ember.html"
And this is just where I've been and barely scratches the surface. I'm looking forward to checking back here to see what others suggest.
