On this tour you will see all the crucial Alpine stages of the 2008 Tour de France, and for those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs such as the Col de Bonette-Restefond (Europe’s highest pass at 2,802mt), Izoard, Vars, Lauteret, Galibier and Alpe d’Huez

Following the Tour de France for 8 days can be tiring, therefore this tour has been designed with the minimum amount of hotel changes. Apart from the first & last night in Paris at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO we shall spend 5 nights in the beautiful ski town of Serre Chevalier at the 2* Grand Hotel Serre Chevalier.

As part of this tour you will have the option of spending some VIP days on the Tour de France and join our LIVE THE DREAM package. Our LIVE THE DREAM package offers you the opportunity to ride part of the mountain stage Cuneo to Jausiers, have VIP Hospitality treatment at L'Alpe d'Huez stage finish, and access to the Bourg d'Oisans start village and riders enclosure.
We can offer you this exclusive package for the special price of £650 (see supplements below).
For further details please click here.

  We shall spend 1 night in Paris on Bed & Buffet Breakfast basis at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO. We have arranged for you to keep your bike box / bag at the hotel for the duration of the tour as the bikes will travel built up in a special bike trailer.

Saturday 19^th July:
After breakfast you will be able to load your bike onto the special bike trailer. We shall leave Paris and travel to the French Alps and the beautiful ski town of Serre Chevalier where we shall spend the next 5 nights on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis at the 2* Grand Hotel Serre Chevalier. Apart from being in a beautiful location our Serre Chevalier base offers excellent access to all the Alpine mountain stages of the Tour de France.

Sunday 20^th July:
The riders enter the Alps with a 216km stage that will take them from Digne les Bains into Italy and the ski station of Prato Nevoso, en route they will face a number of cols including the 2,000mt Col de Larche whose summit forms the border between France and Italy.
After breakfast we shall travel to see the stage, and those with bikes will be able to ride to the Col de Larche from our base in Serre Chevalier, whilst those without bikes will be taken to see the stage in the touring bus.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our base in Serre Chevalier.

Monday 21st July:
As the Tour de France spends its 2^nd Rest Day in Cuneo (Italy), this  gives us the chance to visit and explore Serre Chevalier and the region. Those with bikes will have numerous options open to them as the monumental climbs of the Col du Galibier and Col d’Izoard are within easy reach of Serre Chevalier. Those without bikes will be able to have the day at leisure in Serre Chevalier or visit nearby Briancon.

Tuesday 22^nd July:
The Tour de France returns to its home country with a short but brutal stage that takes in Europe’s highest pass, the 2,802mt Col de Bonette-Restefond before plunging down to the finish in Jausiers. Prior to climbing the Col de Bonette the stage will also tackle the Col de la Lombarde (2,350mt) which will bring the riders back into France and via the ski station of Isola 2000.
After an early breakfast we shall travel to the town of Jausiers, from where those with bikes will be able to climb the Col de Bonette-Restefond to see the stage, whilst those without bikes will see the stage finish in Jausiers.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Serre Chevalier.

Wednesday 23rd July:
The best is saved for last…..as L’Alpe d’Huez (cycling’s mecca) will play host to the final Alpine stage and what a stage it is going to be. It’s an absolute classic stage that takes in the monumental climbs of the Col du Lauteret, the mighty Col du Galibier and the Col de la Croix de Fer before climaxing on the 21 hairpin switchbacks to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez.
Our location in Serre Chevalier could not be better for accessing the stage as it is located on the stage route, and offers those with bikes will have the opportunity to see the stage on either the Col du Lauteret, Col du Galibier or the final climb to L’Alpe d’Huez whilst those without bikes will be taken to Bourg d'Oisans.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Serre Chevalier.

Thursday 24th July:
After following the Tour de France for a week and seeing all the important stages of the Alps it is time to say “Aurevoir” to Le Tour and commence the journey back to Paris.
After breakfast we shall leave Serre Chevalier and travel the short distance to Bourg d’Oisans where we shall see the stage start. After seeing the stage start we shall commence our journey back to Paris where we shall spend 1 night on Bed & Buffet Breakfast basis at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO.

If you want to continue following Le Tour you could join our Montlucon stage finish, Final TT & Paris Finale tour that arrives at the Hotel Mercure in Paris tonight. You would depart with that tour tomorrow morning for the stage finish in Montlucon.
Click here for full details of this tour and see price supplements below.
If you simply want to extend your stay in Paris then we can book extra nights for you at the Mercure Paris Pte de Versailles EXPO. Please see supplements below.

Order a full Graham Baxter Sporting Tours cycling kit (short sleeved jersey, bib shorts, socks and cap) for only £70 (list price £85) when purchased with your holiday booking. See clothing page for clothing details and sizes. Clothing order must be paid in full and sent with holiday booking. The offer does not apply if ordered separately from holiday booking.

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