This tour is part of our new Leisure series for the Tour de France, a new Bikestyle concept for 2009, designed to appeal to a broad range of people and budgets. Slightly cheaper than our normal premium tours, our Leisure tours use mainly quality traditional hotels that France is famous for, with good restaurants and plenty of charm. Where the opportunity arises to visit an area of special interest, maybe a chateau or a ‘plus beaux’ village, we’ll take it. The itineraries are leisurely with the aim of having 3 or 4 night stays in hotels where possible to give us time to relax, as well as plenty of opportunity to see the Tour de France. Our rides will be both challenging and enjoyable with the usual option of choosing a ride each day to suit your ability, so everyone from novice to super fit is catered for. These tours do not include the services of an ex- professional cyclist, however our experienced and enthusiastic guides will make sure your trip to France is a memorable one.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 14 days (13 nights)
Dates: Tuesday 14 July to Monday 27 July
Start: Paris Finish: Paris
Accommodation: Selected quality hotels
Group Size: Maximum 30 people (3 Staff)
Cost: AUD$6150.00 – Reserve your place now.
Optional Extras:
Bike Rental $650 (Cannondale Synapse carbon fibre)
Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
Travel Insurance and Car Rental.
Paris VIP Seating (Final day)
Email us for details
Who is this trip for?
This tour follows the race through the final two weeks from the rolling hills of Burgundy and Alsace, the high peaks of the Alpes, the excitement of the much anticipated stage on Mont Ventoux and the final stage on the Champs Elysees. As with all of our tours you’ll be guided by our expert team of ride leaders, drivers and guides. You will experience the Tour de France and see stage starts, finishes, time trials and of course get to cheer the riders up close on the roads of the Alpes and Mont Ventoux. You’ll have the opportunity to ride many of the famous cols of the Tour de France in both France and Switzerland, including the exciting penultimate stage on the Mont Ventoux. We return to Paris by high speed TGV train in time for you to witness the final stage on the Champs Elysees, with the option of reserved grandstand seating to ensure you are close to the action. Along the way we stay in some lovely accommodation insmall towns and villages, including a relaxing 4 night stay in the beautiful Alpine town of Chamonix and 3 nights in the historic Roman town of Nyons in Provence.
The trip is geared to suit anyone with an interest in Cycling who wants to see the biggest of the Grand Tours, the Tour de France. This is our main focus for the trip. We cater for cyclists of all abilities by providing riding options each day. On most days we offer two rides. All of our rides are escorted and they vary from ’serious’ to ‘relaxed’. We ride on quiet scenic roads and where possible we ride on the race course ahead of the race. This trip does involve some days in the mountains so there will be the opportunity to challenge yourself. We also cater for people who do not ride bikes with visits to the race and other attractions but an interest in seeing the Tour de France is important as it is the main focus of the trip. On some days in the mountains it may be possible to use one of our smaller vans to take non riders onto the major mountains so they can really sample the race on the climbs.
You’ll stay in some lovely accommodation during the tour including:
- 1 night to relax at the start of the tour in Roissy close to Paris
- 2 nights in Montbard in Burgundy close to the race stages and beautiful medieval villages
- 2 nights in Alsace in the village of Baldersheim close to the race route
- 4 nights in a traditional hotel in the Alpes at the resort town of Chamonix
- 3 night stay in the Roman town of Nyons in Provence
- 1 night in our modern hotel in central Paris
Stages you will see:
- Wednesday, July 15: Stage 11, Vatan – Saint-Fargeau: 192km
- Thursday, July 16: Stage 12, Tonnerre – Vittel: 200km
- Friday, July 17: Stage 13, Vittel – Colmar: 200km
- Saturday, July 18: Stage 14, Colmar – Besancon: 199km
- Sunday, July 19: Stage 15, Pontarlier – Verbier: 207km
- Monday, July 20: Rest day, Verbier
- Tuesday, July 21: Stage 16, Martigny – Bourg-Saint-Maurice: 160km
- Wednesday, July 22: Stage 17, Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand: 169km
- Thursday, July 23: Stage 18, Annecy – Annecy (ITT): 40km
- Friday, July 24: Stage 19, Bourgoin-Jallieu – Aubenas: 195km
- Saturday, July 25: Stage 20, Montelimar – Mont Ventoux: 167km
- Sunday, July 26: Stage 21, Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Elysees: 160km
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DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Our tour starts today with our guests arriving in Paris and being met by our staff and transferred to our 4 star hotel, not far from Paris CDG airport. Once you are settled in to the hotel we’ll give you a hand to assemble your bike and store your bike bags safely away while you are on the tour. Later in the day our guides will escort you on an easy ride around the local area to help you loosen up and make sure everything is in working order. Tonight we will have an early dinner in order to be ready for tomorrow’s journey. As it’s our first dinner together it’s a great chance to really get to know your fellow travellers, as well as have any questions about the next two weeks answered by our staff.
For those that may want to travel into central Paris to explore or perhaps catch the celebrations for Bastille Day then it’s possible to travel by train to the centre in 30 minutes by the local RER service.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Wednesday, 15 July 2009
We leave Paris behind this morning and head south into the hills of Burgundy where we will catch the peloton as they make their way on today’s stage from Vatan to Saint Fargue. This is a great area to do our first ride of the tour with undulating hills, great scenery and interesting medieval villages. Our ride will start near the small town of Avallon on edge of the hilly Morvan area and follow some quiet local roads to the beautiful village of Vezelay. Known primarily for its impressive abbey and as a starting point for pilgrims on the well known route to Santiago de Compostella in Spain, it is the ideal place to combine viewing the tour with a bit of sightseeing! After viewing the race we’ll travel by coach to our home for the next two nights in the small port town of Montbard on the Burgundy Canal. This is a very historic area with attractions such as the Abbay de Fontenay and many small medieval villages that we will visit as we ride through the area over the next two days.
Tonight we will enjoy the delicious cuisine of Burgundy in our hotel’s restaurant, which has been run by the familyof our hosts Gerard for over four generations. Our hotel is situated in the town centre on the Burgundy Canal and is a former relais de poste that would have welcomed coaches of a different kind in the 19th century.
Overnight: Montbard
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 Thursday, 16 July 2009
Today the race will depart from the town of Tonerre and head north east to Vittel, a spa town like many in France made famous by its ‘eau minerale’. As Vittel is a major sponsor of the Tour de France the town is likely to be well prepared for the arrival of the race. As today’s stage start from Tonnerre is quite close to our base in Montbard, we will travel to Tonnerre arriving with plenty of time for the late morning sign on of riders and the departure of the peloton. This afternoon after the race has departed and we’ve enjoyed lunch in Tonnerre we will ride back to Montbard with a couple of ride options. Our longer ride of about 90 km is a favourite route via well known wine town of Chablis and the walled medieval village of Noyers sur Surein back to the hotel in Montbard. Our other option is a shorter route back to Montbard with the option of a fascinating guided visit to the Abbaye de Fontenay, one of the largest and oldest Cisternian monasteries in Europe that dates back to 1118. Well worth a visit as the Abbaye is not just an historic monument but still functions as a monastery where the monks go about their daily lives. We will again dine in the hotel restaurant this evening.
Overnight: Montbard
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Friday, 17 July 2009
The Tour de France stage for today is from Vittel to Colmar close to the German border in the area of France known as Alsace, which was formerly a part of Germany. Colmar is a beautiful town of half timbered buildings on flower lined canals and is well worth a visit. Our home for the next two nights is in the small town of Baldersheim on the edge of Alsace and Haut Rhin and close to the city of Munster. This morning we will leave our hotel in Montbard and travel to Alsace where we will head out on to the race route to see the riders tackle the final climb of the day up the 722 meter Col du Firstlan, 20km from the finish. Amongst the first riders we see come over the col will be the stage winner today as it’s a fast 20km descent from the summit to the finish in Colmar. Although not as famous as the cols of the Alpes and Pyrenees the mountains of Alsace offer some of the most rewarding cycling in France and this will be a great area to see the race without the massive crowds that appear on the more famous peaks. After the race we will ride back to our traditional hotel in Baldersheim where we will enjoy a hearty meal of the local cuisine and a chance to try some of the very good local vin blanc.
Overnight: Baldersheim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Saturday, 18 July 2009
Today’s stage is from nearby Colmar to Besancon on the edge of the Jura Mountains. Today will be a fairly relaxing day and after breakfast we will ride out from the hotel through the villages along the race route where the race will pass by early this afternoon followed by a pleasant ride back to our hotel, perhaps with an excursion along the Rhine river on the German border, or maybe a ride to some of the villages on the wine route. Our final plans will become clearer once we know the exact race route for the day. For those wanting to visit the city of Colmar there is the option of an 80km return ride to Colmar to see the stage start early and then spend some time exploring Colmar before riding back to the hotel in Baldersheim. Tonight it’s a well earned meal at our hotel and perhaps a swim in the pool to relax before dinner.
Overnight: Baldersheim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Sunday, 19 July 2009
We leave Alsace behind today and travel south to the Alpes and the famous ski resort town of Chamonix, dominated by the mighty Mont Blanc, which at 4810 metres is the highest peak in Europe. Situated in a valley and surrounded by mountains, Chamonix is a lively town full of adventurers enjoying the beauty of the Alpes during the summer months. The long 207 km stage for today is from Pontarlier in France to Verbier in Switzerland. On our drive today we’ll make a stop for a ride along the race route in Switzerland as it makes its way up the gradual climb towards the summit of Col des Mosses, a bit over half way into today’s stage. After our ride we will continue on our journey to Chamonix with dinner tonight in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Monday, 20 July 2009
It is a rest day for the Tour de France so we will have a leisurely start today before heading off to Annecy, a beautiful city in a spectacular location on the edge of a Lake Annecy. On arrival in Annecy we will offer a couple of ride options taking in the mountain and lake scenery, including the chance to ride on the time trial course the race will follow in a few days time. The ride along the lake is flat and easy, with the option of a fast and wide bike path that runs along the western shore. For those in search of some hills the peaks around Annecy offer a challenge with the attraction of fabulous views over the lake. As Annecy is such a beautiful city it’s best to keep your ride short today to allow plenty of time to explore shop and relax. Late this afternoon we’ll return to Chamonix by coach. For those that would like to stay in Chamonix and relax there is plenty to do, including a trip on the cable car to the 3840 metre summit of Aigulle du Midi and the Mont Blanc glacier.
Overnight: Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Stage 15 of the Tour de France is bound to be a crucial stage for the overall lead of the race as it travels via 3 countries from Martigny in Switzerland to Bourge Saint Maurice in France via Italy! The 2 climbs of the day are the mighty Col du Grand-Saint-Bernand at 2473 metres and the slightly smaller 2184 metre Col du Petit-Saint-Bernand to Bourg St Maurice. We will travel from Chamonix via the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy and resort town of Courmayer where we will ride up to the summit of the Col du Petit – Saint- Bernard on the border of Italy and France for a close up view of the race as the riders up close as they grind their way up to the mountain summits. It’s a long steady climb with great views from the summit and there are bound to be some challenges to the leadership of the race before the riders pass by us before the fast descent to the finish in Bourg Saint Maurice. Tonight you are again free to dine in one of the town’s restaurants.
Overnight: Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Today’s stage is another mountainous route from yesterdays stage finish town of Bourg Saint Maurice over no less than 5 cols before finishing at the ski village of Le Grand Bornand. On our way to Chambery we will take in today’s stage which is from Bourg St Maurice to the ski resort Le Grand Bornand. For those wanting to ride from Chamonix all the way we are close enough to take the race in at a number of points including Col des Saisies, the easier climb of Cote d’Araches or even the final summit just before the finish of Col de la Colombiere. For those choosing one of the earlier climbs in the race or the Cote d’Araches you can descend after the race has passed to the town of Cluses to view the race finish live on TV before travelling back to Chamonix in the coach.
Another memorable day for us at Le Tour and with such a tough day for the race we will certainly witness a great battle for the overall leadership. This is our last night in Chamonix and you are free to dine in one of the towns restaurants.
Overnight: Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Thursday, 23 July 2009
We leave Chamonix today and travel from the lush green Alpes to the Mediterranean climate and subtle hues of Provence where we will witness the final days of the Tour de France. Our hotel in Provence is the historic Hotel Colombet, which is ideally situated on the main town square and has been operating as a hotel for nearly 500 years. Today you will have the chance of having a ride later this afternoon along the Tour de France route from Montelimar to our hotel in Nyons, where the race passes by in two days time. This is an easy ride over gently undulating country passing through some interesting towns such as Grignan, dominated by its imposing Renaissance chateau.
To make sure we know the outcome of today’s individual time trial in Annecy we’ll catch the top riders on television either before our ride, or at the hotel on arrival. Tonight we’ll have dinner in the hotels restaurant, which is well regarded locally and specialises in Provencale dishes with the local olives which the area is known for. For an authentic local meal why not try a glass or two of the local red wine, Cotes du Ventoux.
Overnight: Nyons
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 Friday, 24 July 2009
As the race enters its final stages it travels from Bourgoin Jallieu to the town of Aubenas just to our north. It’s an undulating stage that takes in the rugged Vercours mountain range, but is unlikely to be one that affects the overall standings as the top riders save their strength for tomorrow’s ordeal on Mont Ventoux. Today there will be a few options as the choices are many. One option for us is a 90 km undulating ride from the hotel to witness the stage finish at Aubenas, with the journey back to Nyons by coach in plenty of time for dinner at the hotel. If you want to save a bit of energy there will also be a shorter ride option available by travelling some of the way to Aubenas by coach. Some people may like to tackle Mont Ventoux without the race crowds and at their own pace, so today would be a good day to ride to the summit, leaving tomorrow free to enjoy the race at another point on the route. Tonight it’s dinner in the hotel restaurant again to fuel up for tomorrow’s big day.
Overnight: Nyons
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 Saturday, 25 July 2009
The penultimate stage of the Tour de France is a controversial one being such a tough stage only one day before the final day in Paris. The route is from Montelimar to the summit of Mont Ventoux and if the leadership is close then this will be the stage that determines the winner of the 2009 Tour de France. Of all the mountains in the Tour de France it’s possibly Ventoux that is the most feared with its combination of summer heat, altitude gain from the plains below and unrelenting climbs making it a true challenge. Mont Ventoux has appeared in the Tour de France 13 times since 1951, the last time in 2002 when the winner was French favourite Richard Virenque. From our hotel in Nyons we have the option of riding along the race route and up Mont Ventoux, waiting for the arrival of the race late in the afternoon. Or as the race passes virtually by our hotel some may choose to miss the crowds and have a ride on the route this morning, returning to Nyons to see the race and watch the drama unfold on television. After the race we will return to the hotel in Nyons where we will enjoy another great meal at the hotel and get ready for tomorrows trip by high speed TGV train to Paris. Tonight is our final dinner together so we will celebrate the last two weeks with a special farewell dinner so you can have tomorrow evening to enjoy Paris.
Overnight: Nyons
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 Sunday, 26 July 2009
The Champs Elysees is the setting for the final stage of the Tour de France and its 750 km from Nyons to Paris, so we’ll make use of the high speed TGV train from Valence, travelling in comfort back to the French capital in a bit over two and a half hours at speeds in excess of 300kmh. On arrival in Paris Gare de Lyon rail station late this morning we’ll transfer to our modern hotel in the Bercy area of Paris, close to the centre and all of it’s attractions. After we have checked in it is off to the Champs Elysees where we will be able to experience up close the excitement of the final stage. For those with tickets for the Grand Palais stand (optional) you will have a great view of the peloton as they make their multiple laps of the grand boulevards of Paris. Although the battle for the yellow jersey is decided the final stage is a great spectacle and to win the final stage on the Champs Elysees is a great honour.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Monday, 27 July 2009
Its farewell to your new friends as our tour comes to an end this morning. For those flying out today from Paris CDG airport our staff and coaches will be available to help you on your way. For others why not stay on at our hotel in Paris for a day or two more and enjoy everything this wonderful city has to offer.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour cost: {tdf_burgalpes} per person twin share and includes:
- Transport throughout by private luxury coach with custom bike trailer.
- Services of 3 experienced tour guides and our coach driver.
- Transfers on 14 July from Paris CDG airport to hotel
- Transfers on 27 July from Paris hotel to Paris CDG airport
- TGV Train from Valence or Avignon to Paris on 25 July
- 13 nights accommodation in selected quality hotels with private facilities.
- Buffet breakfast daily
- 3 course evening meals on 9 nights
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Sightseeing as listed
- Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Tour de France
- Bikestyle cycling jersey
