THE PYRENEES & ALPINE STAGES

QUALITY PACKAGE (3* Hotels)
[Live the Dream] VIP Package options

Friday 11^th to Friday 25^th July 2008

With or Without Bikes

On this tour you will see all the crucial Pyrenean & Alpine stages, and for those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs such as the Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Hautacam, Aubisque (not on 2008 route), Larche, Vars, Izoard, Bonette-Restefond, Lauteret, Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.

Following the Tour de France for 15 days can be tiring, therefore this tour has been designed with the minimum amount of hotel changes. Apart from the first & last nights in Paris at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO we shall spend 4 nights in the stage town of Bagneres de Bigorre, 1 nights in Toulouse, 2 nights in Avignon, 3 nights in Guillestre and 2 nights at Les 2 Alpes.

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.

Friday 11^th July:
We shall collect clients from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at 10.00hrs, 12.00hrs, 15.00hrs & 17.00hrs for transport to our Paris hotel, the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO. Please indicate on your booking form your required collection time.

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 12^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 Pyrenees and the town of Bagneres de Bigorre where we shall spend the next 4 nights on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis at the excellent 3* Hotel La Residence. Our location in Bagneres de Bigorre offers excellent access to all the Pyrenean mountain stages of the Tour de France.

Sunday 13^th July
The riders of the Tour de France enter the Pyrenees with a 222km stage from Toulouse to the spa town of Bagneres de Bigorre. En route they face two 1^st cat climbs, the Col du Peyresourde and Col d’Aspin. Our base in the stage town of Bagneres de Bigorre could not be better for accessing the stage. Those with bikes will be able to ride to either the of the climbs (Peyresourde or Aspin), whilst those without bikes will be able to walk from the hotel to the stage finish.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Bagneres de Bigorre.

Monday 14^th July:
Today the Tour de France riders face up to the hardest Pyrenean mountain stage of the 2008 Tour de France, which is being held on Bastille Day (French National Festival Holiday). It is an absolute classic stage which includes the mythical climb of the Col du Tourmalet before finishing on the feared mountain of Lourdes-Hautacam (last used in 2000 & 1996).
Once again our location in Bagneres de Bigorre is excellent for accessing the stage, and those with bikes will have the choice of seeing the stage on either the Col du Tourmalet or the final climb to Hautacam, whilst those without bikes will be taken by the bus the short distance to either the foot of the climb to Hautacam or the Tourmalet from where they will be able to walk on to the climb to see the stage. Alternatively walk from the hotel and see the stage pass through Bagneres de Bigorre.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Bagneres de Bigorre.

As Official Tour Operator of the Tour de France we can offer NON CYCLISTS an exclusive package where you spend the morning at the riders start village in Pau, after which you travel the whole stage route (Col du Tourmalet & Hautacam) moving in and out of the publicity caravan experiencing the special atmosphere of the crowd on the biggest Pyrenean stage and Bastille Day (national festival). When you get to the finish at Hautacam you will your place in the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality bus located very close to the finish line. Here you will have hostess service of drinks and snacks whilst watching the stage live on T.V. and after seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner. After a memorable experience you will be taken back to your hotel.

Tuesday 15^th July:
After 10 days of hard racing the Tour de France spends its first rest day in the Pyrenean town of Pau. This will give those with bikes the opportunity to take to the mountains and ride either the famous mountains of the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, or to the ski stations of Luz Ardiden & Pla d’Adet which often play host to the Tour de France. Those without bikes will be able to relax by the swimming pool at the hotel.

Wednesday 16^th July:
After a well earned rest day the Tour de France riders are back in the saddle with a medium mountain stage of 166km that will traverse the Pyrenees from Lannemezan to the Ariege town of Foix. En-route the riders will have to face up to the unknown climb of the Col de la Crouzette, an 11km climb of 7% with the last km of the climb pitching up to 13%! 
After breakfast we shall leave Bagneres de Bigorre and travel to St Girons from where those with bikes will be able to ride to the Col de la Crouzette to see the stage, whilst those without bikes will be able to spend time in St Girons before seeing the stage pass through.
After seeing the stage we shall rejoin the touring bus and travel to the beautiful “Pink City” of Toulouse where we shall spend 1 night on B&B basis at a city centre 3* hotel. This will give you the opportunity to explore the city and eat out in some of the beautiful squares that Toulouse has to offer.

Thursday 17^th July:
The Tour de France leaves the Pyrenees and heads for the Mediterranean with a 168km stage from Lavelanet to Narbonne. After the three Pyrenean stages that have been, today will be a relatively quiet stage in the Tour de France with a bunch sprint.

As today’s stage is not particularly interesting we have decided to have a day off from Le Tour, and travel to Provence and the town of Avignon where we shall spend the next two nights at a 3* Hotel on the outskirts of the city. However, we shall cross the stage route on our way to Avignon so it may be possible to catch a glimpse of the stage without going too much out of our way.

After checking in, those with bikes will be able to have an easy afternoon ride through the beautiful Provence countryside around Avignon, whilst those without bikes will be able to relax by the hotel pool. In essence a day off to relax and chill…..

Friday 18^th July:
Today the Tour de France hugs the Mediterranean coast with a 182km flat stage between Narbonne and Nimes. Once again, another day for the sprinters or breakaway as the GC contenders will be saving themselves for the forthcoming Alpine stages.

Our location in Avignon is excellent for seeing the stage and those with bikes will be able to have an easy ride from the hotel to Nimes and back, and may also want to have a look at the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct. However…..you may want to miss seeing Le Tour and use the opportunity of being in Avignon to climb the mythical mountain of Mont Ventoux and pay your respects to Tom Simpson who died on the mountain taking part in the 1967 Tour de France, 41 years ago.
Those without bikes will have the choice of being taken to Nimes for the stage finish, visit the beautiful town of Avignon or relax by the poolside.

Saturday 19^th July:
The Tour de France leaves behind the flatlands of the Mediterranean as it heads inland, under the shadow of Mont Ventoux across the Provence hills with a 182km stage from Nimes to the spa town of Digne les Bains. With all the small climbs on today’s stage it is ideal for a breakaway as the stage is too difficult for the pure sprinters and the GC riders will be saving themselves for the Alps.
After breakfast we shall leave Avignon and travel to a mid point of the stage. Those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel, whilst those without bikes will be taken there by the touring bus.
After seeing the stage we shall travel into the French Alps and the town of Guillestre where we shall spend the next 3 nights on half board basis (Dinner B&B) at the 3* Hotel Barnieres.

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, whilst those without bikes will be taken to see the stage in the touring bus.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Guillestre

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 Guilllestre and the region. Those with bikes will have numerous options open to them as the monumental climbs of the Col du Galibier, Col du Lauteret, Col du Vars and Col d’Izoard are within easy reach of Guillestre. Those without bikes will be able to have the day at leisure in Guillestre.

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 travel to Les 2 Alpes ready for tomorrow’s stage to L’Alpe d’Huez.

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 Les 2 Alpes could not be better for accessing the stage, and offers those with bikes 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 the short distance to Bourg d’Oisans (foot of climb to L’Alpe d’Huez) from where they will be able to walk on to the lower slopes of the climb to see the stage.
After seeing the stage we shall return to Les 2 Alpes.

Thursday 24th July:
After following the Tour de France for 2 weeks and seeing all the important stages of the Pyrenees and Alps it is time to say “Aurevoir” to Le Tour and commence the journey back to Paris.
After breakfast we shall leave Les 2 Alpes 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.

Friday 25^th July:
After breakfast we shall leave Paris. We shall offer transfers from the hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at the following times 07.30hrs, 11.00hrs & 14.00hrs.

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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