Contact
Great Explorations

(800) 242-1825
(604) 730-1247

• Contact Information
• Registration Form
• Request a Catalogue
• Sign up for our Newsletter

• Itinerary
• Hotels
• PDF Version of this itinerary

Particulars

Trip Dates:

Alps: July 8-15, 2010

Pyrenees to Paris: July 19-26, 2010

Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.

Total Days:

8 days/ 7 nights

Arrive/Depart:

Beaune/ Grenoble

Activity Level:

Daily Options:
Moderate: 40-60 km
Intermediate: 60-80 km
Advanced: 80-100+ km

Cost:

Land Cost per person (current year):
US$3950 pp
7B/ 1L/ 5D

Single Supplement:
US$800

Bike Rental:
Racing- US$290
Hybrid- US$210

Post-trip option: Provence and Mt. Ventoux 2 nights

Luxe: US$995 pp (US$400 sing supp)

Casual US$495 pp (US$200 sing supp)

 

Will Alberto Contador reign supreme in 2010? Or will Lance Armstrong, who has split with Team Astana and now will be riding for Team Radio Shack demonstrate that he still has something left in his pursuit for an 8^th maillot jaune.

The 2010 Tour de France is being eagerly anticipated and Great Explorations will again be offering the opportunity to experience the greatest cycling race on the planet, cycling sections of the most thrilling stages, often just hours before the pros and then watching as the peleton passes from privileged positions. In 2010, we will ensure that you have the opportunity to see at least 4 stages.

Great Explorations has been recognized as one of two certified official operators of the Tour de France in 2010 and our partnership level will include warm-up access at the departure and technical zone visit (with media, broadcasters etc.) at a stage finish; these credentials will give you unparalleled access to see teams up close and have the chance to meet your favorite riders (this area is fenced off from all except those with credentials). In addition you will benefit from Great Explorations’ decade of experience in offering trips to the Tour de France.

Only Great Explorations:

• Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences.
• A ride you will never forget: Alpe D’Huez, without the crowds
• Wine tasting in a vigneron cave in Burgundy, followed by dinner at Cave Madeleine
• Order off the menu at restaurants you won't find in guidebooks.
• We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises.

Itinerary

July 8: Beaune
Stage 5: Epernay to Montargis (185 km)
Our Alps trip will start in the wonderful Burgundian village of Beaune, just 2 hours south of Paris by train. Your hotel is included on arrival day and you can check in any time after 2:00. Our guides will be on hand to fit your bike throughout the afternoon and ensure you are comfortable on it. There may be time for a warm-up ride or you can explore the town center, which is filled with wine bars, and charming cafes. We are staying at the luxurious 4-star Hotel Le Cep, inside the remparts of the village. We will meet for a welcome reception at 7:00 and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

July 9: Beaune
Stage 6: Montargis to Gueugnon (225 km)
On this day, the peleton will be making its way south towards Burgundy and there may be an opportunity to see the pros as they pass through the region (the village by village route is not known until June). We have been running trips in Beaune for many years and will offer an easy-going ride through the farmlands east of Beaune and a challenging ride through world-renowned vineyards to the castle at Chateauneuf. We’ll finish the day with a wine tasting in town followed by dinner at an atmospheric restaurant in the center.

July 10: Annecy
Stage 7: Tournus to Station des Rousses (161 km)
As an official tour operator of the Tour de France, we have secured access passes for the exciting stage start in Tournus; our cycling route from Beaune follows the Saone River. Credentials in hand, we will have the opportunity to watch the teams warm-up and prepare for the stage followed by lunch. Afterwards, we’ll make our way south to the shores of Lake Annecy. We often stay in Annecy on our Tour de France trips as it is one of the most picturesque villages in France and the cycling is superb.

July 11: Annecy
Stage 8: Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz (189 km)
This is the first true ‘mountain stage’ of the 2010 Tour and it has all the hallmarks of a classic. There are numerous options to cycle in and around Annecy, but if you want to join in the excitement of the race (we have access passes for the finish), we'll first shuttle (55 min) to the village of Taninges to ride the col de la Ramaz (1615m) and up to Morzine-Avoriaz at 1800 m. Celebrating in Morzine in the 'credentials-only' finish zone will be a highlight to remember.

July 12: Uriage Les Bains
Day off (repose)
With the Tour having a day off, we’ll make our way south on bikes to Albertville along a previous stage route, then over Col Madeleine, with a long option over Col de Glandon en-route to Uriage de Bains, where we’ll stay at the 4 star Grand Hotel.

July 13: Uriage Les Bains
Stage 9: Morzine-Avoriaz to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne (204 km)
Our plan today is to ride from Uriage over the classics Col du Glandon and Croix de Fer en-route to the stage finish at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. If you want a day away from the Tour festivities, the Vercors region, just southwest of Grenoble is within reach.

July 14 Uriage Les Bains
Stage 10: Chambery to Gap (179 km)
On our last day of cycling together, you’ll have the opportunity to sample more of the Alps, with a chance to climb one of the classics of Tour de France legends, the Alpe D’Huez. Afterwards, we’ll have another opportunity to see the peleton up close as they race for Gap. We’ll make our way back to Uriage for final night festivities and toast our week together at what surely will be one of the most exciting years in Tour de France history.

July 15: Departure day
We’ll arrange shuttles into Grenoble by 10:00 and transfers to Lyon airport are also possible.

Post-trip option: Provence and Mt. Ventoux
For anyone wishing to travel south to Provence to challenge Mt. Ventoux, we have a post-trip option to Bedoin, where the cycling is also amazing (it’s one of our favourite places to ride in France).

For this option you can choose between a casual 3-star hotel in Bedoin or a luxurious 4-star hotel nearby. We’ll provide a shuttle to Bedoin and set you up with bikes, and provide routes and maps. Luxe: US$995 pp (US$400 sing supp); Casual US$495 pp (US$200 sing supp). Includes 2 nights hotel, breakfast each day, 1 dinner, route instructions and maps, bike rental, on-call support.

 

On our Tour de France trips, we generally try to provide options to cycle 60 km, 80 km or 100 km on each cycling day. Although anyone of moderate cycling level may enjoy this tour, it is ideally suited to those with intermediate to advanced fitness levels. By this we mean you should be able to cycle 60 km at a minimum with some hills. If you have any questions about this trip, please consult our Travel Advisors.