TOUR 1 TDF 8-DAY PREMIERE PYRENEES-PARIS TOUR

Meet your guides at the Avignon TGV train station. Group transfers to a nearby village to watch stage 17 of the tour mid-route. Then riders transfer to our first hotel, the Chateau de Mazan**** at the base of Mt. Ventoux. Pre-stage, non-riders enjoy a guided walking tour of Avignon and visit the Pope’s palace. After check in and bike sizing, riders enjoy a half-day 35 kms / 21.7 mile loop ride. Moderate to challenging ride, with some hills, lasting roughly 2-3 hours. Dinner at the chateau. 

Stage: TDF rest day so no stage viewing. 
All: Hearty breakfast at the chateau. 
Non-riders: Late morning wine tasting, then follow the riders up Mt. Ventoux with a light hike at the summit. 
Riders: Mt. Ventoux loop. Striking out from the hotel, conquer Ventoux’s south side from Bedoin. Lunch with the non-riders on the mountain then loop back to the chateau for a pre-dinner swim. Distance: 69.3 kms / 43 miles. Dinner at a local bistro. 

Transfer Day: Mazan to Aix en Provence. 
Stage: 18 start Manosque. All: Morning transfer to nearby Manosque for the stage 18 start. 
All: Enjoy the stage 18 start in Manosque from Spyns’ VIP viewing area. Lunch in Manosque. 
Non-riders: Van transfer to Aix for a private walking tour then afternoon cooking class. 
Riders: Hilly ride from Manosque to Aix. 69.8 kms / 43.3 miles. Dinner in Aix. 

Transfer Day: From Aix to Alpe d’Huez via the city of Gap. 
Stage: No stage viewing today. 
Non-riders: morning rafting near Gap, followed by an afternoon of parapente (a parasail flight with instructor). 
Riders: Afternoon Alpe d’Huez loop ride. Conquer the world’s most famous 21 turns. 49 kms 30.4 miles. 
Late dinner at the private chalet. 

Stage: 19 Alpe d’Huez finish. Enjoy the finish from Spyns’ VIP viewing area. 
Non-riders: Guided hike before heading up the mountain to see the stage finish. 
Riders: optional pre-finish morning ride up the Col de Croix de Fer and back. 55.6 kms / 34.5 miles.  
Lunch on the mountain and late dinner back at the chalet. 

TO BE CONFIRMED

All: Van transfer to the city of Chambery.  
Stage: 20 individual time trial. 
Option 1: Skip the time trial and head straight to Paris early. A Spyns guide will meet you at the Paris train station, check you in at your hotel. Optional afternoon Seine river cruise. 
Option 2:  Enjoy the all-day time trial from Spyns’ VIP viewing area with tent, live TV, barbecue, and open bar. Then evening train transfer to Paris followed. Caution: long day and hotel check in around midnight.  

Early morning departure for a guided sunrise ride along the TDF racecourse. Bike around the Louvre and up the Champs Elysées. Multiple photo ops at the Arc de Triomphe, TDF finish line, and along the romantic Seine. Following your ride you will have brunch at your hotel. Total distance: 13.1 kms / 8.1 miles Difficulty: Easy / Moderate. Then watch the race finish from our VIP suite and balcony at the Westin hotel. Enjoy live tour coverage, open bar, and unbeatable views of the pro riders. Following the stage finish, transfer to the Eiffel Tower for your final send off dinner. Eat a delectable meal at the tower’s first-level restaurant, Le 58. 

Departure day! One more delectable breakfast (don’t even bother counting the calories) before check out. The perfect weekend!