Going to the Tour De France

[MellowJohnny]

Hi All

I'm looking to go to Tour De France this summer with a (girl) friend and was wondering if any had any advice at all?

I'm hopefully looking at going from the last week and from the Mont Ventoux day (14th) - up until Paris.

Was thinking of maybe driving it in a hire car and discovering a little bit of France along with way.

If anyone has done this kind of thing before and would have some suggestions to things I'd be very grateful. Thanks

 

[winkybiker]

We went a few years back. watched the "chain-gate" stage, the start of the next day in Luchon, and the stage on the Tourmalet from a cafe in a small town in the valley. We then went to Paris and stayed in a hotel overlooking the finishing circuit.

Advice:

Have a bike available for mountain stages - not for riding per-se, but to let you get from where you park to where you want to watch. They close the roads to cars very early (sometimes a day-or-two before) but a bike is ideal for getting to prime spots. We borrowed a couple of mountain bikes - perfect.

Watch on the TV in a bar/cafe on the route one day. Great atmosphere, but get there early for a seat. Everyone watches on the TV then runs outside to cheer them passing, then runs back inside to watch the rest of the stage. Beer is consumed.

Having a room overlooking the finish circuit in Paris was great. We stayed at the Hotel Brighton. It is just across from the Ferris Wheel that you see. we had two small balconies. We could watch live as they passed our balcony , but also watch the action on the TV in the room. We were amazed at the number of spectators in Paris. 4-5-6+ deep pretty much all around the circuit. It is a wonderful experience.

http://www.paris-hotel-brighton.com/


DSC_0173 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr


DSC_0251 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr


DSC_0040 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr


DSC_0168 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

 

[buildyourtour]

Yes. Have done this.

Awesome and exceptional experience to attend the TDF. Find our general advice on http://buildyourtour.weebly.com/grand-tours.html . If it is just the two of you, our favorite car for that size group is the Renault Kangoo. Holds all luggage and two bicycles!

If you'd like help planning additional routes, lodging etc. Give us a call at 720-244-8040....Daina @ Build Your Tour

Hi All

I'm looking to go to Tour De France this summer with a (girl) friend and was wondering if any had any advice at all?

I'm hopefully looking at going from the last week and from the Mont Ventoux day (14th) - up until Paris.

Was thinking of maybe driving it in a hire car and discovering a little bit of France along with way.

If anyone has done this kind of thing before and would have some suggestions to things I'd be very grateful. Thanks

 

[MellowJohnny]

Many thanks guys for the advice

I May well be in touch soon

Regards

 

[TourLeTour]

I've ridden it. It is great fun, but I think driving it would drive me nuts. After almost every stage there are huge traffic jams as people all try to cram onto narrow little roads to get to the next place. If I was going to do it on anything other than a bicycle, it would be a motor bike. Unless you really aren't interested in seeing much of the race, and just want to turn up at one or two points along the course, and spend the rest of the time seeing the rest of france.

If you really have to do it in a car, then I agree with everything Winkybiker said - take a bike with you so you can park and ride, and watch the race in a bar or cafe next to the course, but get there early.

You can see more details of my trip around at http://www.tourletour.com, if you are interested.

 

[mewmewmew13]

winky those photos are GREAT!

how far ahead did you have to book that hotel to get a balcony??

 

[L'arriviste]

Hi All

I'm looking to go to Tour De France this summer with a (girl) friend and was wondering if any had any advice at all?

I'm hopefully looking at going from the last week and from the Mont Ventoux day (14th) - up until Paris.

Was thinking of maybe driving it in a hire car and discovering a little bit of France along with way.

If anyone has done this kind of thing before and would have some suggestions to things I'd be very grateful. Thanks

I wasn't clear if you intended to follow the Tour day by day, which would be cool but not much of a trip for your gf if she's not a cycling nut.

If you want to go to the Ventoux, it would be a big shame just to drive away from that region without further exploration, especially when, if you start early each day you're out and about, you can be back at your accommodations for the last hour or so anyway.

Here's what I would suggest:

1. Book a flight to Marseille or Garons and go with Europcar They're very reasonable and I've used them many times.

2. Watch the movie Ronin before you go. Daft film, relevant scenery. Then watch Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources and La Gloire de Mon Père if you can take any more.

2. Plan a route that includes any of the following that take your fancy:

Arles - romantic old town, scene of some of Van Gogh's famous paintings (locations still easily recognised)

Pont du Gard - extraordinary Roman aqueduct, a UNESCO WHS still in excellent condition. Also a nice swimming spot.

Avignon - seat of papacy during the Great Schism, atmospheric market town.

Uzès - a well-maintained medieval bishopric (though it's getting too touristy for me these days)

Gordes - the perfect photographic moment

Roussillon - if you have an artistic side, this is a great place to see where paint pigments came from before the days of synthetics

Lacoste - sleepy village, the old seat of the Marquis de Sade, now engaged in a silent war with designer idiot Pierre Cardin. Support local businesses and stop all that golf course, health spa crap from happening here!

Gorges de Toulourenc - starting at the hamlet of Veaux, walk, scramble and wade up a riverbed for about 6km and dry off walking back along the valley side, all in the shadow on the great Ventoux. Lovely day out, especially when it's hot (and you can be 99% sure it will be).

North and west of Ventoux - serious wine is produced here. Vaison-la-Romaine is gorgeous, but the scenery's not the main attraction around here, beautiful as it is. Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Sablet, lots of other fine but accessible wines all come from a relatively small area around here. My absolute favourite is Beaumes de Venise.

Lots of other places I've no doubt temporarily forgotten about. Just PM me if you have any questions. It's very hard to go wrong in this region.

3. Two accommodation recommendations, depending on where you go:

a) La Cigale at Mormoiron. Within sight of the Ventoux and offering quieter roads on the approach (Bédoin can be pretty busy in season) and close to a charming family-run, stonebake oven pizzeria about two minutes' walk. Ingrit runs the place and she's lovely. Very arty lady, quiet but super friendly.

b) Au Ralenti du Lierre at Les Beaumettes. Everything about Thierry's place is magic - from the perfect little pool and garden to the hot chocolate brownies and fresh bread he makes himself every morning.

4. Book everything on the ground very soon. All the French folks I know tend to have their bookings done by end of March at the very latest. If the Tour's "in town" competition will be heavy.

 

[ChrisRider]

Thats a great idea, id love to get down there too, would be a wonderful holiday in France, with added excitement of the Tour De France festivities around the small towns. Would be amazing. Definitely have to find the right spot, and see how you can get around to the different stages.