Pau
Near Luz Saint Sauveur
Luz Ardiden
Stage viewing
Mountaintop finish!
Gendarme
Col d'Aspin
Col du Tourmalet
Rider sign-in
TdF Devil
Lac de Cap de Long
Col d'Azet
Col de Peyresourde
Near Luchon
Watch the finish in Paris!
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| Day 1 Pau
Friday, July 11
We’ll meet at the hotel at 1 p.m. for a brief welcome meeting, then for those interested, we’ll do a leisurely two-hour warm-up ride to a local Jurancon vineyard. Welcome dinner together.
Pau is a lively university town with elegant Belle époque architecture and shady parks, located at the edge of the central Pyrenees and only and hour from Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. This town offers a variety of shops, restaurants and lovely areas for walking and exploring.
Day 2 Luz Saint Sauveur
Saturday, July 12
Ride Options: 43-62 miles/4,317-5,100 feet
We’ll ride from Pau into the Pyrenees through a valley, giving our legs some time to warm up before tackling the Col d’Aubisque and Col du Soulor. Both of these cols are TdF favorites and were included in the 2007 race. We’ll enjoy well-earned, spectacular views along the corniced road to Col du Soulor before descending and continuing onward to our hotel in Luz St. Sauveur, where we’ll stay for the next three nights. Dinner together.
Luz St. Sauveur is a quaint mountain town in the Haute Pyrenees, at the base of Luz Ardiden and Tourmalet. One of the most beautiful national parks in France, the Cirque de Gavarnie (a two-mile-wide cirque with a cascading 1,400-foot waterfall) is nearby. Our quiet hotel offers beautiful views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
Day 3 Stage 9: Mountain Stage Finish
Sunday, July 13
Ride Options: 31-77 miles/1,500-4,563 feet
This is the first high mountain stage of the Tour de France and it’s sure to be an exciting one as the top riders try to make their mark. You can ride from our hotel and enjoy the festivities at the finish line in Bagneres de Bigorre, or get an up-close view of the riders as they climb the Col d’Aspin—either way, you’ll love all the Tour excitement! Dinner together.
Day 4 Stage 10 - Mountaintop Finish on Hautacam!
Monday, July 14 - Bastille Day!
Ride Options: 37-56 miles/4,500-7,243 feet
Watch the stage 10 mountaintop finish on Hautacam, an extremely challenging and decisive stage. This climb has been on the Tour three times, most recently in 2000. Hautacam averages 6.8% over 10.5 miles/3,960 feet, and follows the brutal ascent of Col du Tourmalet.
If you have the legs, you can ride Luz Ardiden (9.5 miles/3,283 ft.), before you ride from our hotel and watch the mountaintop finish on Hautacam, or ride up and watch the stage on the Col du Tourmalet. This will be a day to remember! Dinner together.
Day 5 St. Lary/TdF Rest Day
Tuesday, July 15
Ride 46 miles/7,200 feet - Col d’Aspin & Tourmalet
We’ll begin with an easy downhill ride from our hotel before heading up the valley where we’ll spin our legs to prepare for the leg-burning Col du Tourmalet (11 miles/4,756 ft.). You’ll “enjoy” winding switchbacks and savor spectacular views of the mountains on this climb. Document your climb of Tourmalet with a picture in front of the larger-than-life sculpture of a cyclist at the top, and enjoy the fabulous views of the valley and surrounding peaks.
We’ll stop for a well-deserved rest at the café on top, which features a large collection of Tour memorabilia along the ceiling and walls. We’ll have over 10.5 miles of downhill into to Sainte Marie de Campan before ascending one of the most beautiful cols in the Pyrenees, Col d’Aspin (8 miles/2,129 ft.). There’s one final descent, then a nice spin through the valley on quiet country roads to our hotel in St. Lary, where we’ll stay for the next two nights. Dinner together.
Climbing Option: Ride Hourquette d’Ancizan (6 miles/1,456 ft.)
Saint Lary is a small mountain town and popular resort in both winter and summer. Located at the head of the Valley d’Aure, Saint Lary serves as an ideal base for cycling numerous cols nearby or hiking to glacier lakes in the National Park of the Pyrenees. There’s a spa/thermal bath center with various water treatments and spa services conveniently located across the street from our hotel.
Day 6 Watch Stage 11- Start in Lannemezan!
Wednesday, July 16
Ride Options: 23/46/62miles/0-2,827 feet
We’ll ride from our hotel 23 miles down the valley to watch the start of stage 11 in Lannemezan. Be sure to have a pen and paper ready for autographs, and your camera handy to get photos of your favorite cyclists. You’ll see the riders up close as they go through the rider sign-in ceremony and line up at the start line. Find hats, shirts and all sorts of Tour-themed memorabilia at the vendor booths.
In the afternoon, you can ride or shuttle back to the hotel in the van and ride Plat d’Adet (7 miles/2,827 ft.), where George Hincapie won the Queen Stage Victory in 2005. If you don’t feel like riding, you can still enjoy the view by taking the mountain gondola to the top where you can hike and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Dinner on your own.
Day 7 Luchon
Thursday, July 17
Ride Options: 28-40 miles/4,818 feet
We’ll follow the Tour’s stage 9 course, first ascending the west side of Col d’Azet (8 miles/2,624 ft.) and enjoying a sweeping five-mile descent into the stunning glacier-carved Valley de Louron, which overlooks a beautiful turquoise lake and the quaint village of Loudenvielle (2007 stage 15 finish).
We’ll continue up the Col de Peyresourde (5.5 miles/2,194 ft.) with the ever-present sound of cow bells cheering us on. There’s a café at the top with delicious crepes and a singing chef that you shouldn’t miss! We’ll continue with a 10-mile descent to our hotel in Luchon, where we’ll stay for the next three nights. Dinner together.
Luchon is located at the junction of four famous Tour de France mountain passes: Portillon, Peyresourde, Mente and Portet d’Aspet. The village is located in a beautiful natural amphitheater and is one of the most popular spa towns in France.
Day 8 Luchon Loop Rides
Friday, July 18
Ride Options: 0-8,000 feet
Today you can ride, hike, enjoy the spa facilities or relax at a café—it’s your choice. Ride options include: Superbagneres (12 miles/3,831 ft.), Valle du Lys (7.5 miles/1,703 ft.), Hospice de France (8 miles/2,470 ft.), and Montee a Artique (5.5 miles/2,015 ft.). Dinner on your own at one of the numerous restaurants and cafés in Luchon.
Day 9 Luchon Loop Rides/Spa
Saturday, July 19
Ride Options: 0-59 miles/3,823-5,700 feet
You’ll have an opportunity to ride four TdF classic cols! We’ll warm up spinning down the valley before climbing Col d’Ares (5 miles/1.095 ft.). On the lower slopes of Col de Portet d’Aspet (5.5 miles/1,877 ft.), we’ll pass the memorial dedicated to Fabio Casartelli (Lance’s former teammate), who was killed in a crash on the descent of this col in 1995. After lunch, we’ll ascend Col de Mente (7 miles/2,356 ft.) and pass a plaque dedicated to Luis Ocana, commemorating the spot where a mudslide caused him to abandon the 1971 Tour while he was wearing the yellow jersey. Dinner on your own.
Day 10 Pau
Sunday, July 20
Ride Options: 34-42 miles/580-3,788 feet
On our last day of riding, we’ll offer a choice of two routes:
- Option 1: An easy spin down the valley to Saint Bertrand de Comminges.
- Option 2: A challenging route via Port de Bales (12 miles/4,400 ft.), which was ridden on the 2007 TdF for the first time.
Both routes will include a visit to the medieval hill town of Saint Bertrand de Comminges and its beautiful cathedral, famous for its choir and huge renaissance organ. Nearby is the 11th century Romanesque basilica of Saint Just Valcabrere, and there’s also an opportunity to sample famous ewe cheese in a scenic valley. We’ll regroup in the afternoon for a short transfer back to Pau. Final celebration dinner together.
Day 11 Pau
Monday, July 21
The tour concludes after breakfast, so we’ll say our goodbyes and you’ll either transfer for your mid-morning train or plane departure home or join the Paris extension.
Paris Extension Option!
Friday, July 25 – Monday, July 28
Paris Extension Option: $300 – Self-guided, hotel only
If you’re interested in seeing the grand finale of the Tour on the Champs Elysees and visiting Paris, we’ve reserved a block of rooms at our favorite hotel in Paris for Friday through Monday following our cycling tour. This simple, comfortable hotel is located on one of the Left Bank’s quaint pedestrian streets and is just blocks away from the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees.
The extension is for the hotel only and excludes airfare, ground transportation, meals, etc. We’ll be happy to provide some tips for watching the race, as well as restaurants and things to see and do in Paris. |
