TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 14 days (13 nights)
Dates: Tuesday 14 July to Monday 27 July
Start and Finish: Paris
Accommodation: Selected quality 4 and 3 star hotels
Group Size: Maximum 40 people (5 Staff)
Cost: AUD$6950.00- 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?
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 (and riding our bikes) 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. 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.
All 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.
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 along the way.
This is our signature trip. We begin in Paris and follow the race through Central France, Switzerland, the Alpes, the mountain stage on Mont Ventoux before transferring back to Paris for the finish on the Champs-Elysees.
You’ll stay in some lovely accommodation during the tour including:
- 1 night in Roissy en France near Paris
- 1 night in Sauvigny in Burgundy
- 2 nights Colmar
- 2 nights Lausanne
- 3 nights in Chamonix
- 1 night in Voreppe near Grenoble
- 2 nights in historic Nimes
- 1 night in Paris
How do we do it?
Bikestyle have been organizing trips to races in Europe since 1996. We are one of three organizations accredited by ASO the owners of the Tour de France to offer trips to the Tour. As we have gained experience our trips have evolved to suit the needs of our customers. The experience of our pool of ex professional riders has also greatly assisted our knowledge base and we think we are different to other organizations offering trips to the Tour because of this.
We provide:
- A high level of customer service.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in France, Italy and Spain.
- Ex-professional cyclists to guide each tour.
- Small tour groups of up to 40 with at least 4 guides.
- Quality accommodation, restaurants.
- Modern buses with custom built bike trailers.
- A smaller support vehicle for assistance and in case of emergencies. This means less disruption for all customers.
- Satisfaction. This is shown by the number of many customers returning each year.
- Bike hire if you prefer not to face the challenges of travelling with your bike on the Airlines.
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DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1, Tuesday, July 14: Pick up Paris
There will be someone to meet you at the Airport and assist you to your transport which will transfer you to our 4 star hotel close to the Airport. We recommend a mid morning to early afternoon arrival to prevent the possibility of having to wait for your room to be made ready.
The first job will be to assemble your bike and Bikestyle staff will be available to assist if you have any problems. There will be the option of a ride early in the afternoon and there should be time to rest up before the welcome dinner in the evening. Should you prefer to see the sights of Paris the hotel shuttle runs frequently to the terminals from where it is an easy trip by RER train or bus into the city centre. As it is Bastille Day today the capital will be alive with local visitors.
We have found from experience that the first thing most cyclists want to do is to have a short ride to shake out the cobwebs after the plane trip. The area around the airport provides a good base for this. We will arrange a ride for the early afternoon so we can be back in time to see the race finish on TV.
Tonight there is a welcome dinner where you can meet the staff who will be looking after you on the trip and of course your fellow travellers with whom you will be spending the next 15 days.
Overnight: Roissy en France
Meals: Dinner
Day 2, Wednesday, July 15: Stage 11, Vatan – Saint-Fargeau: 192km
Again today the stage is flat and built for the sprinters. The finish is in Saint-Fargeau which, with a population of only 1800 people is the smallest town featuring in this year’s Tour.
It will be a long but exciting day for us today and we hope to catch up with the race. Our plan is to see the race close to the finish of the stage. We will leave the hotel early morning and if the traffic around Paris is kind to us we should be able to ride the final 50 to 80km to the race. We do not have the final details of the stage but when we do we will finalise the plans for the day.
Lawrie, Natalie (the owners of Bikestyle Tours), John (who will run this trip) and Bob (our main map man) had their first day of their first trip to France together on the roads around here. That was in 1996, so it’s nice to be back!
After we have seen the race we will transfer to our Relais hotel at Sauvigny le Bois for the night.
Dinner is provided tonight in the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Sauvigny le Bois
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3, Thursday, July 16: Stage 12, Tonnerre – Vittel: 200km
Another long flattish stage made for a long breakaway. We are in an ideal position to see the race start today. The hotel is only 50km from Tonnerre so we will ride along the beautiful roads of Burgundy from the hotel to get there in plenty of time to see the start of the race.
The start provides a good opportunity to get close to the riders as they have to sign on individually before the start of the stage. All the team buses are usually close by so it is easy to ‘intercept’ the riders as they pass by.
After the race is underway we are back on the bus for the transfer to Colmar where we spend the next two nights.
Eguisheim is a small city not far from Colmar the capital of Alsace. The city dates back to the Middle Ages has many winding streets which are abundant with flowers.
Dinner is provided tonight.
Overnight: Eguisheim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4, Friday, July 17: Stage 13, Vittel – Colmar: 200km
It is back in the mountains today and whilst the climbs are not as long or as high as the major climbs in the Alpes and Pyrenees they are quite testing and will require the riders to be vigilant for it is possible to lose good GC time on such a stage.
Riding the roads in the Vosges Mountains and the Alsace you think you’re in Germany with the traditional timber houses with their flower boxes in quaint villages and castles hanging from the sides of the hills. There are spectacular mountains with vineyards stretching up them. It is like riding in a postcard.
Our hotel is less than 10km from the finish of the stage. We will offer two rides both featuring part of stage route today.
- 100km loop including the last 80km of the stage including the 1193m Col du Platzerwasel and the 720m Col du Firstplan.
- A 50km loop joining the race at the top of the final climb for the last 30km to the finish. The climb to the top of the Col du Firstplan includes some quite steep sections but we have plenty of time to finish the ride.
For the non riders there will be a later start for the short trip to Colmar to be in time to sample the delights of this medieval town before the getting into a good position to see the end of the race.
The centre of the city that Colmar if full of charm with the colours and atmosphere, streets and alley-ways that have been well-preserved since the Middle Ages and their ancient houses that reflect in the water which passes through the city. Churches, cloisters, half-timbered houses, balconies, facades with ornate wood sculptures, paintings, gables, and edifices from the Renaissance all add to this very special city centre.
We will watch the end of the race and return to our hotel in Eguisheim.
Dinner is provided tonight.
Overnight: Eguisheim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5, Saturday, July 18: Stage 14, Colmar – Besancon: 199km
Today will be a flat transition stage before another day in the mountains. Besancon has featured in many Tours and has often been decisive in the GC outcome. In past Tours Kubler, Darrigade, Anquetil and Danguillaume have won the stage and also the race. Armstrong was the last rider to do so, in the 2004 Tour’s final time-trial.
We are on our way to Switzerland today. Our plan is to ride the early part of the stage and catch up with the race at the feed station.
The two rides are:
- A ride of 100km from the hotel to the feed station.
- Leave the hotel on the bus and ride the last 50km to the feed zone.
The feed usually takes place over a distance of around 2km with the team cars fighting for the best spot. It’s a good place to pick up a few souvenirs as the riders toss away their musettes and bottles.
After the race passes we will travel to our hotel in Lutry on the shores of Lac Leman close to Lausanne over the Swiss border.
You are free tonight to sample the local restaurants.
Overnight: Lautry
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6, Sunday, July 19: Stage 15, Pontarlier – Verbier: 207km
The first of the high mountain stages in the Alpes and with a rest day tomorrow it may be one for the riders who are out of GC contention to give it a go.
The race passes close to the hotel and today we offer three choices for you to ride. Our focus today will be the second last climb of the day the Col des Mosses. It is 60km from the hotel and you have the choice of riding both ways or to ride out to the race and return on the coach.
For those not riding there is plenty to do. You can either travel on the bus to watch the race or enjoy the lake or visit Lausanne one of the major tourist towns in Switzerland.
You are free tonight to sample the local restaurants.
Overnight: Lautry
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7, Monday, July 20: Rest day, Verbier
As the riders take a rest we head off back to France. Even though it is a rest day on the tour there is plenty for us to do today.
Your choices are:
- Ride from the hotel the 120km to our next hotel in Chamonix. The initial part of this ride will be on quite busy roads and there are two ‘good’ climbs over the Col de la Forclaz and the Col de Balme.
- Travel on the bus to Martigny and from there follow the last 45km of ride 1 over the climbs to our hotel in Chamonix.
- Take a tourist day. Drive directly to Chamonix and take the cable car to the top of Mont Blanc. If the weather is fine this could be one of the highlights of your trip. Highly Recommended!
The Chamonix valley is approximately 20km long and it nestles between the Aiguilles Range to the north and Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, to the South. Wherever you look you appear to be surrounded by mountains. It is a major centre for both winter and summer sports. It was the host of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. It is an easy place to spend time with good shops, bars and cafes.
Mont Blanc is 4807 metre high and a major attraction is the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi 3842 metres up the mountain. The cable car leaves the centre of Chamonix and travels in two stages. The first at 2300 metres is a starting point for the walkers and Alpine climbers. The top station has a number of terraces where you can take in spectacular views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alpes. There is also a further trip by cable car from the top station over the glacier to the Helbroner Peak in Italy. Dinner is provided tonight.
Overnight: Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8, Tuesday, July 21: Stage 16, Martigny – Bourg-Saint-Maurice: 160km
Although this is the equal shortest of this year’s stages the riders will be thankful for the rest day yesterday as there is more than 3300m of climbing today. Could this be ’sort out’ day?
We head back over the border but this time through the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy. Until we see the final timing of the stage we can’t be certain, however it looks possible that we could take an early Cable Car to the top of Mont Blanc (if you didn’t go yesterday) and return in time to take the bus through the tunnel and see the stage (including the ride) this afternoon. The first departure of the cable car is at 6.30am and you need to allow 2-3 hours.
After we take the bus through the tunnel we will begin our ride from Courmayeur. We will ride down a few kilometres before tackling the final climb of the day, the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard, a 22.6km climb with an average 5.1 % gradient.
At the top of the climb is the Italian-French border. This would be a nice spot to see the race pass however it’s also good to see the race on the lower slopes where the riders are trying to break up the race. After the race passes we will descend back down to the bus for our trip home to Chamonix.
You are free tonight to sample the local restaurants.
Overnight: Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9, Wednesday, July 22: Stage 17, Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand: 169km
A difficult day today with four major climbs. With the riders tired after yesterday this will be one to watch as many riders will want to save themselves for the Time Trial tomorrow.
Our two rides today are:
- Leave the hotel and ride down the valley 30km to Sallanches where we join the race route for 60km to the top of the final climb, the Col de la Colombiere where we will see the race. After the race it is a 20km ride back to Cluses where the bus will be waiting for our return to Chamonix.
- Take the bus to Cluses and follow the race route to either the Col de Romme or Col de la Colombiere where we can watch the race. We return to Cluses to meet the bus back to Chamonix.
Dinner is provided tonight.
Overnight: Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10, Thursday, July 23: Stage 18, Annecy – Annecy (ITT): 40km
In the past few years we have eagerly awaited the final time trial to see if Cadel had enough left to come up on GC. With the stage to Mont Ventoux on Saturday the time trial may not quite be as critical but it could still have a major impact on the winner this year.
The time trial is expected to go around the lake making it a showcase event for Annecy and France. Our intention is to go to Annecy and be there well in time to see the GC riders warm up, start and finish. Annecy is a great place for the time trial. It is called the ‘Venice of the Alpes’ because of its canal system feeding off the lake. The old town has many bars and cafes where we can settle and watch the final riders on the course.
When we have more details of the route we will schedule a couple of rides.
After the race is over we will begin our journey south stopping overnight at the small town of Voreppe on the outskirts of Grenoble.
Dinner is provided tonight.
Overnight: Voreppe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11, Stage 19 Friday, July 24: Stage 19, Bourgoin-Jallieu – Aubenas: 195km
This is a transition day between the time trial and the last mountain stage. It could be a day for a breakaway for riders not in GC contention as the leaders will be trying to preserve themselves and their teams for the trials of tomorrow.
We will give the race a miss today. We have learnt from experience that it is difficult to climb Mt Ventoux on race day. It will be even more difficult with this critical closing stage taking place on a Sunday. We have therefore decided to make sure we all have a fair go at the climb by doing it the day before. We will leave the hotel and drive directly to Bedoin the small town at the southern base of Ventoux which is the traditional way for the Tour and the way it will go tomorrow. From Bedoin it is only 21km to the summit but it is hard going just about all the way.
As you may know this mountain is one of the few where Lance has not won a stage and today you will see what makes it so daunting! Situated as the last Alpine mountain ridge before the Rhone plain, Mont Ventoux can be seen almost from everywhere in Provence. Although it is not an extraordinary high mountain in comparison to the high Alpes further north and east, its isolated position gives it a dominating feature. In all directions you have no higher peaks in the neighbourhood of the Mont Ventoux. In all aspects Mont Ventoux is a “giant”, whether you refer to its extraordinary climatic differences, its strange looks, or last but not least in cycling terms.
We will meet up in one of the small bars in Bedoin for a celebratory drink before joining the bus for our trip to Nimes where we spend the next two nights in the centre of this great historic town and just a short walk from its famous Roman amphitheatre.
You are free tonight to sample the local restaurants.
Overnight: Nimes
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12, Saturday, July 25: Stage 20, Montelimar – Mont Ventoux: 167km
What a stage for the last real racing day of the 2009 Tour. Jacques Goddet called Mont Ventoux a gigantic upside-down top measuring 21 kilometres around at the base. The highest point in Provence has always been a key moment in the race. This is where Bobet outdistanced Gaul in 1955, partly ensuring his third title; the Luxembourg rider got even with him three years later. It is where Tom Simpson died in 1967 and where in 1970 Eddy Merckx suffered and passed out at the top. Armstrong lost here to Pantani in 2000 and Virenque in 2002. No rider has ever won this stage twice. Ventoux is unbeatable.
We know today what the riders will be facing as we had our trial yesterday. Our plan is to have an early start and travel by bus to Bedoin. If you did not have enough yesterday we suggest you ride the 16km to Chalet Reynard where you will join thousands of cyclists watching the race on the big screen 6km from the top of the climb.
A second option is to have a leisurely 50km ride through the vineyards of the Rhone Valley returning to Bedoin and settle in a bar to watch the race pass through town.
After the race passes through we will return by bus to Nimes for the night.
If you want to give the race a miss, Nimes is a great place to spend the day. This large city has some of the best preserved Roman remains in France.
Tonight we will have our farewell dinner. This might appear to be a day early but it leaves time tomorrow to spend time at the race and also sample the delights of Paris without having to rush back to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Nimes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13, Sunday, July 26: Stage 21, Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Elysees: 160km
The final stage into Paris is traditionally a procession until the entrance onto the Champs-Elysees where the racing really starts. Rider traditionally chat, celebrate the final stage, pose for photographs, drink Champagne sometimes they even dress-up, swap bikes and generally horse around. Traditionally, once the race gets into Paris, the Yellow jersey and his team lead the peloton onto the Champs-Elysees for what is a basically a big criterium in the centre of the French Capital.
We will have an early start today and head off to the nearby train station and catch the TGV directly to Paris while your luggage and bikes will be transported separately to save you lugging them about. Once in Paris we will check into our 4 star hotel in Bercy Village then it will be onto the Champs-Elysees to see the final stages of this year’s Tour.
Bercy Village is next to the modern Parc de Bercy and the Seine and consists largely of small wine warehouses from the late 19th Century that have been saved from decay by conversion into shops and restaurants. Instead of turning the old cobblestoned lanes into a covered shopping centre there is a paved pedestrian street called Cour Saint-Emilion. It is named after the French wine Saint-Emilion because it was built at the old railway station of Bercy where wine from south of France arrived in Paris.
Overnight: Paris Bercy
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Monday 27 July, Au Revoir
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 in Paris for a day or two more and enjoy everything this wonderful city has to offer.
Tour cost: {tdf_burgalpesvip} * per person twin share and includes:
- Transport throughout by private luxury coach with custom bike trailer.
- Services of 5 experienced tour guides, including a former Pro cyclist and our coach driver.
- Transfers on Tuesday 14 July from Charles de Gaulle Paris airport to hotel
- Transfer on Monday 27 July to Charles de Gaulle Paris airport
- TGV train from Nimes to Paris on 26 July
- 13 nights accommodation in selected quality 4 and 3 star hotels with private facilities.
- Buffet breakfast daily
- 3 course evening meals on 8 nights
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Sightseeing as listed
- Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Tour de France
- Bikestyle Jersey
