Tour de France

Tour de France is an important cycling tour drawing millions of spectators who line up the route every year just to get the best views. It doesn’t come as a surprise for us that many of the fans camp a week in advance just to be there.

Description

Tour de France started its life in 1903. Currently it’s a 23 days, 21 stage race, usually covering more than 3,000 km / 1,864 miles. The route traces a circuit that covers most of the French regions and often one or more neighboring countries.

Since 1975, the final stage of the tour was Champs-Élysées in Paris. The avenue is closed only for the Tour de France, Bastille Day (July 14) and Paris Marathon.

Very popular are the mountain stages. Mountain passes such as Tourmalet in the Pyrenees have been made famous by Tour de France and now attract tourists who want to test their skills and speed on the same roads where champions cycle.

Vacation Packages

Such an important event obviously draws millions of tourists. Although the majority of fans would prefer to camp wherever possible along the route, companies offer vacation packages for those willing to spend time behind the scenes and follow the cyclists on their route to success.

Before deciding what type of holiday you want and how much money to invest, firstly you need to know the Tour’s route. Generally, that information is published by the end of the previous year (i.e. in November 2007 for Tour de France 2008). Once you know that information, you should start planning.

These types of vacation packages are really popular so make sure to book well in advance. In 2008, the tour starts on July 4. If you plan to see the first stages of the event –July 4-7 – expect to pay about € 500 per person, not including the flight price and the travel insurance. But hey, you’ll stay in 3 star hotels and can ride to the stages!

Many companies offer cycling tours, which mix camping with following Tour de France…on bikes. This is clearly a cheaper alternative to the posh vacation packages mentioned above. The idea is similar though: vacations are organized by stages. You’ll be staying in tents and not in hotels, drastically reducing the price for accommodation.

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