TDF 6-DAY CLASSIC PYRENEES-PARIS TOUR

Tour start: 9 a.m. meeting time with your Spyns’ guides at the Tarbes train station. Tarbes is located one (1) hour east of Pau, capital city of the Pyrenees.  From there, the group will transfer to the village of La Barthe (pop. 1233) to see today’s Tour stage mid-route. Van transfer time: 30-45 mins.

Day 1 (July 20) Stage 17 mid-route viewing: the group will enjoy stage 17 from our mid-route viewing area in the village of La Barthe (1 hour van transfer). Over the years, Spyns’ clients have consistently preferred seeing the Tour in small French villages away from large crowds and the village of La Barthe (population 1233) promises to be the perfect setting. Following the stage viewing, early afternoon van transfer to Lourdes. Once there,  choose your adventure: a walking tour of the city and cathedral or an afternoon of rafting. Late dinner at a riverside bistro. Overnight in Lourdes at the Grand Hotel Moderne****. 

Day 2 (July 21) Stage 18 start and finish: see the stage 18 start from Lourdes followed by van transfer to our VIP viewing area at the base of Hautacam, where the stage finishes.  Once there, guests can relax at Spyns viewing camp with live Tour coverage, open bar, and catered lunch. Or you can join a rigorous pre-lunch hike up to the ski resort of Hautacam, led by hunky French guide. After the stage, short walk to a traditional French restaurant for delectable dinner and local entertainment. Second night in Lourdes at the Grand Hotel Moderne****.      

Day 3 (July 22) Stage 19 start: Today is a day of options for the Spyns’ guests. Option 1: Early departure to see the TDF village and stage start in Castelnau (population 800). Option 2: Skip the stage to spend the entire day in Bordeaux.

Option 1: See the stage 19 start in Castlenau. Morning van transfer to Castlenau (travel time 1 hour) via Tarbes. Travel directly to Spyns’ VIP stage viewing area in Castelnau (population 800), enjoy the TDF village, watch the pro riders depart and then head to Bordeaux, arriving shortly after lunch. Once in Bordeaux, join a (flat) bike tour of this beautiful and historic city followed by a wine tasting. Early evening departure traveling east to Perigueux, in Dordogne. Dinner and overnight in Perigueux at the Hotel Ibis***.   

Option 2: Take a day off the Tour, sleep in, and enjoy a late-morning departure for beautiful Bordeaux.  Bordeaux is the wine-growing jewel of Aquitaine and one of the most beautiful cities in France. Arrival in Bordeaux just in time for a wine tasting, lunch, and then choose your own adventure. Do both a bike tour and cooking class or just explore the city on your own. Early evening departure traveling east to Perigueux in Dordogne. Dinner and overnight in Perigueux at the Hotel Ibis***.        

Day 4 (July 23) Stage 20 Time Trial: Another day of options: Option 1: Skip the stage and head straight to Paris. Option 2: See the final individual time trial in medieval Rocamadour (population 700).

Option 1: Mid-morning departure for the train station followed by a high-speed (TGV) train to Paris. Travel time is four-five (4-5) hours. A Spyns’ guide will travel with you to expertly manage your arrival, shuttle to hotel, and check in. Once in Paris, enjoy an afternoon Seine river cruise, followed by an early evening bistro dinner. The other group will arrive in Paris around midnight.  

Option 2: Morning van departure, destination the medieval village of Rocamadour (population 700). The final stage before Paris will be an individual time trial. Your stage viewing area for the day will be a hotel right on the final climb of the time trial. Spyns has privatised a hotel terrace overlooking the racecourse. Like our other stage viewing areas, there will be WIFI, buffet lunch, open bar, and live (English) tour coverage. Both riders and non-riders will have the option to join a guided loop ride (23.2 kms / 14.4 miles) through the rolling hills along the Dordogne river and/or a walking tour of medieval Rocamadour. Following the stage, early evening bullet-train departure for Paris. Sandwiches and drinks provided on train to Paris. Caution: very long day and midnight arrival in Paris.  Two (2) nights at the fabulous Hotel St. James****, right on the race course.       

Day 5 (July 24) Stage 21 Paris Finish: Spyns hosts its classic sunrise bike ride (fully guided and suitable for all abilities) on the Champs Elysees. Enjoy a fat-tire spin on the Tour de France race course when downtown Paris is closed to traffic. This is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Paris finish line, bike around the Arc de Triomphe, ride down the Champs Elysees, whisk along the Seine River, and takes lots of pictures next to the Eiffel Tower. Following your ride, gourmet breakfast back at the hotel. Then watch the afternoon finish from our VIP room. No one does the Paris finish like Spyns. We privatise a presidential suite along the final leg of the racecourse. In addition to live Tour coverage, and open bar, there is a wraparound balcony with room for your 50 best friends. Enjoy eight (8) tour laps and a final victory lap, champagne glass in hand. Following the finish, send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower! Magnifique! Final night at the St James Hotel****.

Day 6 (July 25) Departure: Sleep in, enjoy a final gourmet breakfast, say goodbye to your Spyns’ guides and fellow travelers.  Then it’s off to the airport or train station for the next leg of your journey. The perfect holiday!