Grand Finale - L'Alpe d'Huez to Paris
- Region: France
- Destination: Alps
- Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Level: Competitive/Pro Rider
- Price From: $5595
- Single Supplement: $1950
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Countless times, the Tour de France’s most dramatic moments have unfolded on the 21 switchbacks of l’Alpe d’Huez. This year, to mark the 100th edition of le Tour, the route will conquer it not once, but twice! And you can be right there to see it unfold on the l’Alpe d’Huez to Paris bike tour. Exclusive access to the riders of the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team gives us a perspective of the race that no one else can offer, and we’ll conquer all the Tour’s legendary roads ourselves, from l’Alpe d’Huez to the Galibier.
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Tour by Day
See the 2012 Tour de France on YouTube
Day One: Welcome to the Alps
Arriving in Grenoble, your guides will greet and shuttle you to your comfortable alpine hotel, Chalet Mounier, in the high perch of Les Deux Alpes. A short bike fitting is all that stands between us and our first ride, when we’ll descend by hidden roads to the base of l’Alpe d’Huez. Ride up its first, steepest curves that lead to a quiet road with superlative views before looping back to the base of the Les Deux Alpes. Climb 9.82 kilometers back to the hotel, a primer for the days to come. Dine tonight at the hotel, where its cozy restaurant will serve up delicious local specialties.
Meals: Light Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Les Deux Alpes, l’Alpe d’Huez
Accomplished: 30 miles / 49 km; 4,789 feet / 1,460 meters of climbing
Day Two: Conquer l’Alpe d’Huez
It’s our turn to conquer l’Alpe d’Huez, the climb of Tour de France legend. Can you break an hour? Can you survive the 14 kilometers at 7.9%? Witness the growing crowds getting ready for tomorrow and take in a little bit of the festive atmosphere while eating an authentic alpine lunch at the summit before a thrilling descent. We’ll tackle the beast of a col, then descend the Col de Sarenne, a climb never before tackled by the Tour. After one more climb up to Les Deux Alpes, we’ll enjoy another delicious menu at the hotel tonight.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Col de Sarenne, l’Alpe d’Huez
Accomplished: 41 miles / 66 km; 6,809 feet / 2,076 meters of climbing
Day Three: History in the Making
Climb today to the little known towns of Oulles and Oz. After the challenging cols, we’ll hop on the ski lift to access the summit of l’Alpe d’Huez and witness history in the making when the race crosses the line at the top after the riders tackle the legend not once, but twice! When the race is complete, we’ll descend the Col de Sarrene and climb back up to the hotel, where we’ll enjoy a victory meal at one of Les Deux Alpes’ great restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Oulles, Oz, l’Alpe d’Huez, Col de Sarrene
Accomplished: 48 miles / 77.2 km; 7,390 feet / 2,252 meters of climbing
Day Four: The Climbing Goes On. And On.
One cycling legend just isn’t enough. Today we face the Galibier, attacking this 41-kilometer behemoth from its base in the valley near Bourg D’Oisans. Spectacular views greet us the entire way, surpassed only by the view from the top. Descending by the same route, we pause for an authentic alpine meal in La Grave before returning to our mountain solace in Les Deux Alpes. Tonight, enjoy the alpine dish par excellence: fondue. After 106 kilometers of hard riding and nearly 10,000 feet of climbing, we deserve it.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: the Galibier, Bour D’Oisans, La Grave
Accomplished: 66 miles / 107 km; 9,790 feet / 2,985 meters of climbing
Day Five: Showdown in Annecy
Giving our legs a rest today, we’ll transfer to Annecy for a recovery ride around its stunning alpine lake. We’ll be sure to be done in time for the real spectacle: a summit finish on Mont Semnoz that could very well decide the final outcome of the race. Watch the final battle of the Tour and get exclusive access to the Tour Village with VIP passes, where we'll be a part of all the excitement. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own in beautiful lakeside Annecy.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Annecy, Lake Annecy, Mont Semnoz, the Tour Village
Accomplished: 12-30 miles / 20-50 km
Day Six: The Champs-Élysées
The City of Lights will take on new meaning tonight when the Tour crosses the ultimate finish line on Paris’s Champs-Élysees under the lights for the very first time. With our VIP passes we’ll be right on the Champs to watch the sprinters duke it out for one last shot at glory and the maillot jaune wearer toast his victory with a glass of Champagne. Can Cannondale’s Sagan take the stage this year? Meet the Cannondale team one last time before we head out for a delicious feast in Paris, celebrating our own victory over the Alps at one of the famed fine dining destinations in Paris.
Meals: Breakfast / Light Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Paris, the Champs-Élysées
Day Seven: Vive le Tour
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and reflect on all the spectacular moments from the past week at the Tour de France and in the Alps. Your guides will make sure your transportation is arranged and see you off to the train station or airport.
Meals: Breakfast
