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"Pyren10" Tour
de France trip :
That wonderful trip will lead you
from the South of France to Paris, including the Pyrenees mountains
and the Massif Central. You will discover (or see again)
how the South of France is varied and lovely but we will also benefit
from numerous epic moments viewing the second half
of the Tour de France...
The trip is composed of
two main parts : firstly, a 5-nights stay in the Pyrenees
mountains that will enable you to enjoy at the best the Pyrenees,
to view the race there and, if you wish, to try yourself
on most of the most famous climbs of the Pyrenees : the Col
du Peyressourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet, Col
du Soulor, Col d'Aubisque, Luz Ardiden,...Then, for
the second part, we will be "on the move"
as we will travel to and through the center of France
and the gorgeous Massif Central. We too will view the
last time trial in Saint Etienne, before your trip
back to Paris so that you could view - if you wish
- the Tour arrival in Paris. Note : July the 14th is
the French National Holiday (Bastille Day). There will
be big events in Paris (and Toulouse too)
July the 15th (race stage : Miramas -
Montpellier)
Pick
up in Toulouse (at the airport or train station or hotel)
at the beginning of the afternoon. Toulouse
is a lovely and very animated city well known by French for its
very pleasant atmosphere and its beautiful ancient center
(Toulouse was a major Roman city). Toulouse
is called the "pink town"
thanks to its colorful superb buildings made of the locally earthen
made "Roman" tiles and bricks.
Drive to the Pyrenees
in the Bagneres area , where we are staying 5 nights
in a small hotel offering a strong local character.
The hotel is with a swimming pool.
Bike
settings/trials.
July the 16th (race stage : Agde - Ax Trois
domaines)
The racers of the Tour de France are arriving in the
Pyrenees at the end of the day. We will
ride in the area of Bagnere and, if you whish, you will
be able to try yourself at
the climbing of Col d' Aspin. and Col de Peyressourde.
Today - unlike the following days - you will not attend
directly the race but we will view it on TV in the afternoon,
either at the hotel specially arranged room or at the local Café,
sharing great moments with local people.
July the 17th (race stage : Lezat - Saint
Lary)
Today is a very difficult
stage for the racers (the most difficult of the 2005
Tour), as they have 6 cols (mountain
passes) to climb ! We will view the race for the finish
and last climb of the day : the difficult climbing to
Saint Lary ski resort).
July the 18th (race stage : Rest day)
We
will benefit from that rest day (for the racer) to discover
the West side of the Pyrenees. You will be in a position
to ride by small remote pretty roads and/or (depending on your
whishes) to try yourself on the famous climbs of Col
du Tourmalet and of Luz Ardiden !
The
19th (race stage : Mourenx - Pau)
For
that last day in the Pyrenees, the racers will have
to pass the Col de L'Aubisque and the Col du Soulor.
We will view the race in one of those two cols.
The 20th (race stage : Pau - Revel)
While
the racers are riding by a mostly flat route, we
will drive to the Southern side of the Massif Central. We
will stay two nights in a pretty hotel offering both
a strong local character and lovely views to a great
canyon.
The 21st (race stage : Albi - Mende)
Pretty
scenery again today, another very nice stage. We will
view the race on the way to Mende and ride by gorgeous
routes.
The 22nd (race stage : Issoire - Le Puy)
The
pretty Massif central. We will view the arrival in Le
Puy en Velay, a very nice old town; Le Puy was during
the Middle Ages (and is again nowadays) one of the main
pilgrimage European starting point to Saint Jacques
de Compostelle (Santiago de Compostella)
The 23rd (race stage : Time trial St Etienne
- St Etienne)
Today is the
last time trial of the 2005 Tour. Surely
both a great stage and a decisive day for the general
classification. End of our trip after drive back to your hotel or
airport or train station...We suggest you to have a
train to Paris in order to view the finish in Paris on the 24th.
There is a very fast and comfortable TGV train (Very High Speed)
to Paris.
Please ask us to make the room and /or train reservation for you.
For information The 24 th (race stage : Corbeil
Essonnes-
Paris)
You could view the arrival in Paris and the famous loops all along the
Champs Elysés...
Note : program subject to some changes
in order to let you have the best program possible.
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Dates :
From
July 15 to 23,
2004
Price per person:
2,530 Euros,
double occupancy (Click
here
to convert)
Bike renting
(optional):
140 euros (Click
here
to convert)
Click here
to see the bikes
Start (Pick-up): Toulouse.
We can pick you up at your hotel or at the train station
or at the (international) airport. Several trains and
flights a day from Paris. Do not hesitate to ask us
for more information.
Finish (drop-off): Saint
Etienne. TGV trains to Paris.
Useful
! : Do not hesitate to ask us for any booking
for your stay in France before and after the bike tour.
It includes: .
- All accommodations (8 nights)
based on double occupancy (see extra-prices for single
room) in charming accommodation (nice 2 and 3 stars)
- All (8) breakfasts
- All (8) lunches or
picnics
- All (8) dinners
- Bilingual trip leader(s)
- Transportation from rendezvous to
final drop-off
- Baggage transport
- Maps and route suggestions
- Ride at your own leisure
-
Suggestions
on interesting side trips to take
 It
doesn't include
- Snacks
- Beverages
- Visits
entrance fees such as Museum, caves,
castles, ...
- All costs before rendezvous point and after final
drop-off.
- Travel
insurance
- Cancelation
insurance
- Possible transfer
by train from St Etienne to Paris
"Tour de France" official
web site
Testimonials:
Both Diane and my self
would like to thank you for making our trip such wonderfully
memorable experience. Your hospitality was warm and
generous and you live in a beautiful country with wonderfully
friendly people and exquisite food. Duncan and Diane
M., (Johannesburg)
Many thanks for organizing
a wonderful TDF trip! Lisa K., (Mount
Gretna)
Many Thanks! A wonderful experience!
Lou M., (Peoria)
Feedback:
Do
you have any suggestions for improving the holiday?
No, this was
the best vacation I have had so far. I'll be back! Ed M. (Grayslake)
General
content and organization of the trip?
Thoughtfully designed by someone
who obviously knows the region, and well executed. I was most impressed and grateful for the
knowledge, care, and planning that went into our trip. I felt like we got the real "insider's" view
of the Tour and the countryside. Sandy C., (Milton)
How
do you rate your overall level of satisfaction?
Excellent ! Blake
G., (Oakland)
Bike
(and bike equipment) Quality?
Much better than expected. Better than any rental bike I've ever had.
Rob L.(Tucson).
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