TOUR DE FRANCE PYRENEES

Itinerary:

July 1: Welcome to France and the Basque Country
Following our meeting at the Biarritz Airport at 1 pm, we'll transfer you to the beautiful Basque village of Ainhoa where we will check-in for the next three-nights at our 4-star hotel. Afterwards, build up your bike with the assistance of our professional mechanics before enjoying a short spin on the local roads. This evening, we will enjoy some cocktails before our “Welcome Meeting” that will include a specially-prepared Basque dinner at the hotel.

July 2: Tour of the “Most Beautiful Villages” of the Basque Country
Relax at the hotel during breakfast and a morning coffee in the village square before heading out to discover the spectacular beauty of the Basque Country! Our route for today will take us to some of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages” such as Sare and Espelette, home of France’s most famous red peppers. This afternoon, relax in the hotel’s pool before catching the live action of Stage 2 on TV. This evening, we’ll venture out to discover the local restaurants of Ainhoa for dinner.

July 3: The famous Basque Coast and Tour de France Stage 3
Get ready for a full day at the Tour de France as we catch Stage 3 on the Basque Coast as the race makes it way to Bayonne for the finish! We’ll begin the day with a gorgeous ride to the Basque Coast and cycle through such famous towns as St. Jean de Luz and Biarritz on the “official race route” towards Bayonne! This afternoon, we’ll enjoy lunch together before getting ready to cheer on the Yellow Jersey and our favorites as they race all-out along the coast towards Bayonne. This evening, we’ll celebrate the day’s winner with a festive group dinner!

July 4: Transfer to Luz St. Sauveur / The Climbs of Gavarnie and Luz-Ardiden
Enjoy your final breakfast and Basque coffee in Ainhoa before transferring to the tiny hamlet of Luz St. Sauveur, located at the base of the Tourmalet. Following our arrival and check-in for the next three nights, we’ll cycle into the Pyrenees National Park to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gavarnie, home to some of the most stunning cliffside waterfalls in the world! Afterwards, choose to ride back to the hotel or challenge yourself on the serpentine ascent of Luz-Ardiden, one of the Tour’s most iconic climbs! This evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner at our favorite “brasserie” in town.

July 5: The Col du Tourmalet
Today will simply be EPIC as you climb the mighty Col du Tourmalet! Nothing else needs to be written or said. This evening, celebrate your achievement with dinner on your own either at the hotel or in town.

July 6: Finishing Climb to Cauterets-Cambasque / Tour de France Stage 6
We are in the enviable position today because the Tour de France comes to us! Choose to watch the race pass through Luz St. Sauveur or ride the “official race route” through the Gorges de Luz before taking on the day’s finishing climb up to Cauterets Cambasque! Enjoy a Basque-themed lunch at the summit before getting ready to cheer on the Yellow Jersey and his challengers as they race to the finish near the French/Spanish border! This evening, we’ll celebrate your week of adventure at the Tour with our “Farewell Dinner.”

July 7: Morning Transfers.
Savor your final breakfast in the French Pyrenees before we transfer you to the Pau TGV Train Station. From here, you can transfer to Paris, Toulouse, Biarritz or other destinations in Europe.