Alps

I'm planning on some French Alpine riding this summer, which has prompted an unusual flurry of winter hill training and much mulling over of maps and online cycle emporia.

I'm looking to go cycling with a friend in the Alps towards the end of June and was wondering if people had any advice. We are deciding on the best way of getting there (flying, train or driving), where to stay and which climbs to take in. We are working on the basis we'll need a vehicle when we are there to move around, so likely to need to hire one assuming we don't drive.

Does anyone have experience of when the best time is to go and whether end of June will be too busy?

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.