TOUR DE FRANCE ALPS

Itinerary

July 15: Welcome to the French Alps and Les Deux Alpes
Welcome to the legendary French Alps! We will meet you at 12 noon at the Lyon Airport and transfer you to our favorite hotel in the alpine village of Les Deux Alpes, the four-star Chalet Mounier! Soak up the amazing views of the French Alps as our professional mechanics assist you in building up your bike or adjust your rental bike. This evening, you’ll enjoy our “Welcome Meeting and Dinner” at the hotel!

July 16: L’Alpe d’Huez with option for climb to Les Deux Alpes
Enjoy one of the finest breakfast spreads in the region before getting ready to ride up the most famous 21-hairpin turns in all of cycling, L’Alpe d’Huez! Your ride will begin with a relaxing warm-up along the valley floor before you begin your ascent up to the summit. Following your arrival, savor your accomplishment with a delicious lunch overlooking the majestic Alps! This afternoon, choose to climb up to Les Deux Alpes or take the funicular straight up to town. Afterwards, watch the live finish of Stage 16 on TV or relax with a dip in the pool. This evening, explore the local restaurants and brasseries in town for dinner on your own. We’ve been coming here for over 20 years and can guide you to the best ones.

July 17: Col du Lautaret and the Col de Galibier
Following breakfast, ride as much or as little as you like on today’s stunning route through the Alps as we climb the Col du Lautaret and the “beyond category” Col de Galibier! Enjoy lunch on the summit of the Lautaret before a fun descent into Briancon, the highest city in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following check-in to our three-star hotel in the center of town for two nights, refuel with a dinner of homemade pasta, salad, wine and dessert at one of the local restaurants that is just a short walk from our hotel.

July 18: TDF Stage 18 and the Col d’Izoard
Enjoy an early breakfast before we transfer to Gap to witness the “Grand Depart” of Stage 18! This is a scene that has played out for decades in villages all over France during Le Tour and it’s an enjoyable way to see all of our favorite pros up-close. Afterwards, we’ll have a short transfer where we’ll begin the days ride up the “beyond category” Col d’Izoard! This famous climb has been featured on the Tour de France a total of 34 times and has been the scene of some of cycling’s most memorable battles involving such legends as Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi! This evening, we’ll celebrate your Tour de France adventure in the Alps with our “Farewell Dinner” in Briancon!

July 19 - Transfer Day
Savor your final breakfast in the “Haute Alpes” before a morning transfer to the Grenoble Train Station. Transfer time is 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. Thus, we would not make any departures before 2 pm. From Grenoble, you can take a train to Nice, Lyon Airport, Geneva, or Paris.