On this tour you will see all the crucial Pyrenean mountain stages from a fixed centre base in the Pyrenean Spa town of Bagneres de Luchon. For those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs such as Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Hautacam.
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 nights in Paris at the 3* Hotel Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles EXPO we shall spend 5 nights in the spa town of Bagneres de Luchon at the excellent 3* Hotel Corneille.

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 Pyrenees and the spa town of Bagneres de Luchon where we shall base ourselves for the next 5 nights at the excellent 3* Hotel Corneille on Dinner B&B basis. Our location in Bagneres de Luchon 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 location in Bagneres de Luchon is excellent for accessing the stage, and those with bikes will be able to ride to either the stage finish in Bagneres de Bigorre or to either of the climbs (Peyresourde or Aspin). Those without bikes will be able to walk on to the Col du Peyesourde to see the stage.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Luchon.

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).
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 to the foot of the climb to Hautacam from where they will be able to walk on to the climb to see the stage.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Luchon.

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 Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin, Portet d’Aspet (Castatelli memorial), Portillon, Val Louron-Azet or to the ski station of Superbagneres which often played host to the Tour de France. Those without bikes will be have the opportunity to visit the spa town of Luchon.

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 Luchon 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 return to our Luchon base and the Hotel Corneille.

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.

We shall also leave Bagneres de Luchon and return to Paris and the 3* Hotel Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles EXPO where we shall spend 1 night on Bed & Buffet Breakfast.
If you want to extend your stay in Paris then we can book extra nights for you at the Hotel Mercure. Please see supplements below.

If you want to continue following th Tour de France in the Alps, then tonight you can join either our Week in the Alps (Serre Chevaler) or Alps to Paris tours that leave from the Hotel Mercure tomorrow morning. Please enquire for discounted prices for taking two tours.

Friday 18^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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