2012 - Tour de France - 11 days*
The race for yellow- Pyrénées to Paris
** almost full - limited places now available **
Over 11 glorious days, we offer you an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the biggest cycling race in the world. To see the crucial race for the yellow jersey during the vital second half of the 2012 Tour de France from the saddle of your bike and from the wicker seat of a French cafe chair, is priceless!
We will enjoy the smorgasbord of French cycling experiences as we happily face the challenges of terrain, albeit at our own pace. We'll experience first-hand what it takes to climb mountain roads that will have a major part in deciding the true contenders for the overall title.At the same time we'll share the excitement of towns and villages dressed up for the passage of the TDF while refining our taste for French cuisine in the boulangeries, bars, cafés and restaurants.
Our emphasis is on a leisurely tour, with just the right mix of race viewing, riding and relaxing. Our hotels are carefully chosen for their proximity to the race and their ambiance, however there will be a day or two where we will ride, but not see the tour stage due to distance.
Our successful 'small group' philosophy and the importancewe place on providing you withgreat cycling experienceswhilewitnessing the TDF pro pelotonfrom the best seat in the house,ensures you of a wonderful adventure. Our team of experienced Australian & French tour leaders and guides are amongst the best in the business, so why not join us in 2012.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Friday 13th July - Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-MaurienneAnnonay Davézieux - 220kms
Excitement builds as we gather for a briefing and to meet our Tour Leaders, cycling staff and the other participants. After ensuring that you & your bike are raring to go,( including having your bike checked over by our mechanics),we'll enjoy our first taste of riding "on the wrong side of the road" as we ride to the beautiful medieval village of Aigues Mortes It , 36kms away . This is a relaxed start to our tour, enjoying a coffee break, lunch or an afternoon snack and if lucky, finding a bar or café with a TV, so we can view today's stage as it makes its way out of the Alpes and through to Annonay.Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner while getting to know your fellow cyclists and staff a little better.
Accommodation: Pullman Montpellier Hotel - Montpellier - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. - No live viewing today
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Day 2: Saturday 14th July - Bastille Day - Stage 13: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d'Agde - 215km
The French national day celebrates the events of 14th July 1789 when the people of Paris stormed the cache of arms at the Bastille, a place that also served as a prison for political prisoners, signalling the end of the French Revolution. French riders traditionally try to win the stage on Bastillle Day however, on this part of the Mediterranean coast, the wind is unpredictable and always present so let's see who takes the winners bouquet tonight.
We'll depart the hotel and cycle rural roads to a viewing location to watch the peloton as it makes its way to the stage finish at Le Cap d'Agde. Our first indications that the race is approaching will be the publicity caravan that precedes the race creating a 'magical chaos' with freebies and TDF advertising memorabilia given out to eager spectators. The constant stream of media cars and team support vehicles will pass by at pace, all heading towards the finish.
After watching the race pass by, we transfer by van into the Pyrenees and the village of St Girons. This is our longest transfer of the tour and will be approx. 260kms, which is unfortunate but at least we are not on the bike as the Tour riders will be . Upon arrival, there will be time to freshen up and enjoy dinner. (Bastille Day celebrations may take place in the village nearby, so tonight might be time to party.)
Hotel: Hotel Eychenne - St Girons - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. View rural passage of the stage
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Day 3:Sunday 15th July - Stage 14 -Limoux - Foix- 192 km
After a hearty breakfast, we get on our bikes for some great riding - one option is a 55km cycle to Foix to see the stage finish, or to stop on the way and watch the peloton fly past. As the Pyrénées approach , every ride is magnificent with glorious hills, rushing rivers and villages for well-earned coffee stops.
There will be optional rides offered today with varying distance and the vehicles can be used to return to the hotel and dinner in St Girons.
Hotel: Hotel Eychenne St Girons - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. View rural passage of the stage & / or the finish in Foix
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Day 4: Monday 16th July - Stage 15 - Samatan - Pau - 160 km
As the peloton moves further west and towards Pau, we'll leave St Girons by van to take in the excitement of the stage start in Samatan.It will be a fun day with a party atmosphere created by numerous nationalities and many locals, all enjoying the summer sun and the hive of activity that is a Tour de France "village depart". The pros will be up-close and relaxed as you walk the perimeter of the village to view their preparation and where each rider appears on stage to sign on.
Once the race departs town, we'll make our way back to the hotel in St Girons by bike... It's a great ride with amazing mountains as backdrops. Welcome to the Pyrenees!
Hotel: Hotel Eychenne St Girons - Meals:Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. View stage start
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Day 5: Tuesday 17th July - Stage 15 - Rest day
Welcome to the Pyrenees! Today is a rest day for the Tour de France pro's, but not for us as we challenge ourselves to tackle a few of the well-known classic Pyrenean Cols. We will make our way from St Girons to Tournay and then onto Bagneres de Bigorre. We will start the ascent to the 2115 meter Col du Tourmalet from here and tackle the long steady climb to the summit, before taking a photo & refreshment stop, and descending to Lourdes. A great day in the saddle!
There is the opportunity to split into two groups and also take on the ascent to Col du Soulor, before the final climb to Col d'Aubisque. Although the climbs are long, the gradients aren't too tough, the scenery is stunning and the sense of achievement makes it well worth the eort. If you prefer an easy day then we'll run a local ride on flatter rides.
Hotel: Grand Moderne Hotel Lourdes - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. No race to view today
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Day 6: Wednesday 18th July - Stage 16 -Pau - Bagnères-de-Luchon - 197kms
Another day in the Pyrénées and it's a really huge day for the peloton! This stage could change the face of the general classification, four days before the end of the race. No matter what the gap is, this major stage will be a dreaded one for the Yellow Jersey, who must defend his position while climbing the Col d' Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col d' Aspin and the Col de Peyresourde!
Our convenient hotel location means we can again ride out to the route of today's stage. Optional rides and destinations will be available but either choice, watching the TdF cross a major climb is a memorable spectacle. Getting to a great position by bike can involve a tough ride, but the good news is we can climb as far as we like, still have a great view of the race, then roll home.
We'll enjoy dinner tonight - our last in Lourdes
Hotel: Hotel Grand Moderne Lourdes - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. View mountain & rural passages of the stage
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Day 7: Thursday 19th July - Stage 17 - Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes - 144kms
Another massive day in the mountains for the pros as this stage is as difficult as yesterdays. We'll make our way from the hotel either on bikes or in the vehicles (or both) and choose a place to watch the event unfold… We'll watch the race pass by at the base of a climb where the strong riders will be leading and the bunch is likely to be split. As the race continues through the mountains, there's a few alternatives to view the race, and possibly even twice I two locations.
The pro peloton will tackle the Col de Menté, (steepest slope!), the Col des Ares and finally, the Port de Bales - with an 18.87 km long ascent & a 6.3% average, there will no flat ground.
We'll spend the day in the summer sun enjoying the craziness of the TDF and witnessing amazing personal & team achievements by all the riders, before making our way back to Lourdes for our last night.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Moderne Lourdes - Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
TDF:Ride. View mountain & rural passages of the stage
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Day 8: Friday 20th July - Stage 18 -Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde - 215kms
The tour heads north today, towards the finale in Paris... Not too many days now until we see who is in yellow on Sunday afternoon.
After 4 big days in the Pyrenees, we'll make our way to Pau this morning for our TGV train to Paris. This long journey will be made in comfort, taking just under 6 hours. The option of following the race today is unrealistic with both distance and time being a major issue as the peloton moves through central France for one stage only. A very long drive this day is not an option… We will arrive in Paris around 2pm and the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to watch the stage unfold on TV and / or explore this beautiful city.
Hotel: Abba Montparnasse Hotel - Paris - Meals: Breakfast included
TDF: No live viewing today
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Day 9: Saturday 21st July - Stage 19 - ITT - Bonneval - Chatres - 52kms
This morning we'll leave Paris and drive to the stage finish in Chartres for an up close and personal TDF experience. Those with bikes can cycle to various viewing spots to watch the riders pass by every few minutes in the Individual Time Trial (ITT). Anyone without a bike can stay around the finish and watch them complete the time challenge. This will be the last chance for riders to move up the finish ranking, or maybe even win the Tour so the last few riders crossing the line will create a buzz of excitement as they await the individual outcomes and the final winner.
For us spectators, it is a chance to identify individual riders, and possibly see warm-ups and collect autographs. The ITT start area is a circus of team vehicles and the town turns on a street party.
We will then make our way back to Paris and enjoy a free evening.
Hotel: Abba Montparnasse Hotel Paris - Meals: Breakfast included
TDF: Individual Time Trial
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Day 10:Sunday 22nd July - Stage 20 - Rambouillet - Paris Champs Élysées - 130kms
The final day of 'Le Tour' and although normally the race is all but decided, it is still a day with plenty of cycling action. In the last few years, the sprinters have dominated the racing on the Champs Élysées with the battle for this prestigious stage and the final Green Jersey ensuring high speed racing right to the very end.You may want to simply enjoy the day in Paris, join the crowds in the Tulleries gardens at the Louvre or grab a spot on the barriers and take in the atmosphere of the race as it reaches its completion.
Prior to all this excitement though, we have a special treat. This morning, we will take you on an optional ride from the hotel around the sights of Paris which hopefully will include a ride along the Champs Élysées, if the road isn't shut down too early as the organisers prepare for the afternoons festivities. Just one passing of this famous boulevard will give you an appreciation of how skilled the professionals are to travel at such high speed over the cobbles. With no traffic, and the most beautiful city in the world as a backdrop, this is one ride you do not want to miss. Late morning, our staff will assist with the packing of the bikes, for transport in their cases back home.
This afternoon, we'll make our way to the Champs Élysées to view the grand finale and culmination of 3 weeks cycling around France… It's no wonder that the Tour de France is known as the world's largest sporting event...
Tonight is our last night together, so we will have a farewell dinner to relive happy memories of the last 2 weeks, celebrate the successful completion of our own Tour de France, and who knows ……… maybe Cadels too!
Thanks for being part of our "Tour de France". We have enjoyed every one of our last ten years and trust that your experience will kindle memories that will last a lifetime.
Hotel: Abba Montparnasse Hotel - Paris - Meals: Breakfast & Farewell dinner included
TDF:Ride. Tour finish along the Champs Élysées
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Day 11: Monday 23rd July
Our tour comes to a close today. Over 11 days you will have made many new friends, faced up to challenges, visited some special parts of France that many tourists will never see, and of course witnessed the greatest sporting event in the world up close. Many of you will head home today and others will stay on to savour the delights of Paris. Bon Voyage.
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Package - Cost: AU$6150.00 per person, twin share
- Single supplement applies*
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- $1650.00 *Subject to availability
Tour date: 13th to 23rd July 2012
Trip inclusions:
- ACCOMMODATION - Our 10 nights accommodation is carefully selected for comfort and proximity to the race route. We have a variety of 3-4 star hotels with a range of styles from modern to traditional.
- GROUP SIZE (2 tours only) - Maximum of 15 plus 3 staff (French & Australian)
- MEALS
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- Breakfast: included
- Evening Meals: 8
- TRANSPORT - 9 seater vehicles with bike racks // Train - TGV from Pau to to Paris // Paris to Chartres
- CYCLING - 2 rides on offer each day , to suit all abilities - Maps & further information are provided to you each day to keep you familiar with the areas we visit
Exclusions:
- International Airfares - Contact us now for the 2012 European earlybird airfares
- Bike Rental - from €30 - €35 per day - - contact us for more information
- Lunches, drinks & snack bars & meals not indicated
- Travel Insurance - compulsory to join this tour
- Personal item you purchase
- Passport or Travel Visa Requirements
- Pre & post tour travel arrangements
- Paris Airport transfers
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Why Choose Our Tour?
This trip may be a once in a lifetime experience. We are passionate about cycling and understand what travellers want to experience and our years of delivering international tours make certain this trip will be all that you wish.
Our program is carefully shaped by our experience of how to best enjoy the Tour de France. We continue to adapt and innovate while on tour, taking advantage of weather conditions and group needs. Hot weather can be the signal for a leisurely break in a local village, or a few extra kms might mean we include a highlight that adds to a great holiday.
All participants are supported by our team of experienced Australian & French cycling staff whose expertise in tour leading, mechanics, first aid, knowledge of France, and love of cycling will help you enjoy this life changing adventure.
Please complete the booking form and return to us as soon as possible with your deposit. Interest in the 2012 tour is high. We have limited places available.
Register your interest now on the form below or call David to discuss the tour further.