Tour de France: Nice to Alpe d'Huez 2018
2018 Tour de France Cycling Holiday - Ride from Nice to Alpe d'Huez and watch the final mountain stages in the French Alps! Ride provence, climb Mont Ventoux, Ventoux to Alpe d'Huez, Cycle Tour French Alps, Cycle Tour French Riviera, Cycle Tour French Alps, Tour de France Holiday - Col de la Bonette, Izoard, Galibier. See the Tour de France on Alpe d'Huez and a Stage Start the next day in Bourg d'Oisans. 4 nights are based around Alpe d'Huez and Bourg d'Oisans enabling you some exceptional loop riding in the French Alps.
“Join us to cycle through Provence, climb Mt Ventoux and arrive on Alpe d’Huez to be part of the action for the Tour de France’s arrival on the epic 21 hairpin bends!”
DATES
6 - 21 July, 2018
NIGHTS
15 | 8 Hotels/ Chalet + 7 Camping
RIDING DAYS
13 (1 rest day,
3 loop rides/optional rest days)
AVERAGE ALTITUDE
1500m per day
(Options for less/more climbing available)
AVERAGE DISTANCE
80-100km per day
START / FINISH
Nice, France - Vaujany (near Grenoble), France
COST
$5170 AUD per person twin share; $400 single supplement.
See our full detail of 2018 Tour Inclusions.
MEALS
15 Breakfasts + 9 Afternoon-Teas + 7 Group Meals
FAMOUS CLIMBS ON THIS TOUR
Mont Ventoux, Col de la Bonette, Col du Vars, Col d’Izoard, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret, Col du Telegraph, Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer.
DIFFICULTY
Rolling hills in the first week to challenging and mountainous in the second week. Arrive with a good level of fitness with some climbing/hill training.
OUR RIDE BEGINS IN NICE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE WITH MAJOR AIR AND RAIL LINKS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND THE WORLD.
WE STAY IN A FANTASTICALLY LOCATED HOTEL NEAR THE PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS AND OLD TOWN.
1 Col du Vence
2 Pra Loup (optional)
3 Col de la Bonette
4 Col du Vars
5 Col de l’Izoard
6 + 7 Col de Lautaret and Col du Galibier + Col de la Croix de Fer
*Please note that the route may change slightly pending accommodation bookings.
arrival
We meet in Nice on Friday 6 July. Nice is easily accessible with direct flights from Australia. Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm onwards. We have pre-dinner welcome drinks in the evening at a bar near our hotel.
Day 1
We ride out of Nice along the coast and climb into the hinterland of the Cote d’Azur. We have spectacular views of the Mediterranean and ride past medieval villages - home to artists, galleries and markets. There’s an optional climb of the Col du Vence (963m), a local’s favorite, before arriving at our overnight stop in the picturesque Tourettes sur Loup for a welcome group evening meal at a great local restaurant.
DISTANCE 43km / 63km
ALTITUDE GAIN 500m/1300m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camping
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner
Check out more photos from our previous Nice to Alpe d’Huez Cycling Tours on our Photo Gallery.
Tourettes sur Loup, Day 1 Nice to Ale d'Huez
Day 2
We cycle via the Gorges du Loup to the village of Gourdon, spectacularly perched on a rocky cliff above the gorge. From here we cross the remote alpine Plateau de Caussols, climb the Col de Bleine and descend to arrive in our overnight stop of Castellane, a vibrant town in the Verdon river valley.
DISTANCE 93km
ALTITUDE GAIN 2000m
OVERNIGHT STOP Campground
in Castellane
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
Lunch stop
Day 3
Today’s ride is a trip highlight - the spectacular sweeping road overlooking the Gorge du Verdon. The terrain is hilly as we climb to Point "Sublime" offering fine views of the gorge and emerald coloured river. We stop in medieval Moustieres Sainte Marie and ride through the biggest lavender field in France to arrive at Manosque for our overnight stop and hotel night.
DISTANCE 80km
ALTITUDE GAIN 1100m
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel in Manosque
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
Day 4
Today is quintessential rural Provence - golden hued perched villages, small scale vineyards, rolling countryside, lavender fields, markets, wild herbs and hidden valleys – and what better way to explore it than by bike! Our route takes us to three of the 144 officially rated 'most beautiful villages of France' and there is no shortage of touristic highlights. We will eat fresh local produce at Bistrot de Pays, drink the local wines and cycle the quiet back roads. Our overnight stop is Gordes, a stunning village overlooking the Luberon valley.
DISTANCE 93km
ALTITUDE GAIN 1500m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camping in Gordes
MEALS Breakfast + Lunch
+ Afternoon Tea
Col de la Bonette - the highest paved road in the Alps
Day 5
Today is Rest Day...
There’s plenty to explore in and around Gordes, or perhaps put your feet up and relax by the campground pool!
OVERNIGHT STOP Camping
MEALS Breakfast
Campsite afternoon tea under the marquee
Day 6
Today we climb the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux! Rising from the Rhone valley below, the 22km climb has an infamous history in the Tour de France. We climb from the traditional Bedoin side, however there’s options to tackle another ascent if you prefer. From the summit, it’s a fantastic descent to quintessential Provencal village of Sault, our overnight stop at the foot of Ventoux.
DISTANCE 96km
ALTITUDE GAIN 2000m
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner
Mont Ventoux - the "Giant of Provence", day 6 Nice to Alpe d'Huez
Day 7
It’s rolling countryside swathed in lavender, olive trees and vines as we approach the Alps. There are market-villages and options for more or less climbing as we weave our way along gorges and rivers. Options today include long-lunches, extra climbs, a shortcut or you can climb Mont Ventoux a second time in the morning before departing Sault!
Campsite breakfast: fresh croissants daily!
Climbing the Col de la Bonette
Day 8
Today we ride along the Ubaye river valley, surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Alps! You have the option to ride the epic Col de la Bonette (2802m), claiming the highest sealed through road in Europe. The views from the Col are spectacular, extending across the Alps and to the Mediterranean. We descend to the mountain village of Jausiers for our overnight stop. We begin to see hearty mountain food on menus including fondue and raclette.
DISTANCE ~110km (or 65km)
ALTITUDE GAIN 2400m (or 900m)
OVERNIGHT STOP Camp
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
Day 9
Today is a mountain climbers dream and one of the most challenging days of the trip! We ride the beautiful Col du Vars (2180m) followed by the epic Hors Categorie climb, the Col d’Izoard (2361m). The Col d'Izoard is famous for its forbidding and barren scree slopes and jutting rock pinnacles, known as the Casse Deserte, that has formed a dramatic backdrop for key moments in the Tour de France!
The descent is spectacular, sweeping and fast, to arrive at the town of Briancon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
DISTANCE 95km
ALTITUDE GAIN 2300m
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner
“The Wide Open Road crew made the 2017 trip from Nice to Alpe d’Huez one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The cycling was truly stunning.”
Sweeping roads through the barren slopes of the Col d'Izoard
Col du Vars
Day 10
Today is another highlight day of spectacular mountain scenery and climbing. We depart Briancon to ride to the Col du Lauteret, a gradual 28km climb. We continue over the 8.5km winding road to the Col du Galibier (2642m), one of the most dramatic high alpine passes in the Alps. We descend to Valloire and it's a last up and over the Col du Telegraph to our overnight stop in the Maurienne valley. Optional climb of the Lacets de Montvernier for those after a few more hairpins!
DISTANCE 73km
ALTITUDE GAIN 1500m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camp
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
The Col du Galibier!
Day 11:
Our last day on the move is an epic ride, climbing over 3000m in altitude. In the morning we ride the famous Col de la Croix de Fer, descending to the cyclists mecca of Bourg d'Oisans. We then set off to conquer the 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez!
DISTANCE 82km
ALTITUDE GAIN 2500m (optional support on Croix de Fer if required)
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel
MEALS Breakfast
Lots of emotion and celebration when we arrived on Alpe d'Huez in 2017
days 13 + 14
we stay in the heart of the french alps in a private luxury chalet for 3 nights, enabling yo to watch stages 12 and 13 of the 2018 tour de france. our chalet has spectacular views of the alps, great access to alpe d'huez & bourg d'oisans to get up close & personal with the tour riders, team cars & atmosphere.
VAUJANY CHALET
We spend 3 nights in two adjoining, private luxury chalets in the quiet alpine village of Vaujany, located near Bourg d’Oisans & perched on a beautifully scenic slope in the corner of the Alpe d’Huez ski-resort area. Our chalets are fully equipped - bedrooms with en-suites, living & dining rooms to relax, bike garage, garden and balconies with spectacular views of the Alps. Vaujany connects to Alpe d’Huez via cable car (that you can take your bikes on!) and offers a truly special mountain village experience with some great traditional restaurants & other amenities. We’ve been visiting Vaujany for over 10 years and are looking forward to sharing with you this special place in the French Alps.
The Lacets de Montvernier
The 2018 Tour de France route in 3D - we watch Stages 12 and 13 in the French Alps
DAY 12:
Day 12 we ride from Alpe d'Huez to our private luxury Chlaet in the beautiful mountain village of Vaujany. There are numerous route options, including some lesser known, but no less spectacular climbs, including the Col de Sarenne and along stunning balcony roads over looking the Oisans valley. We'll take you to our favourite mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Alps. For those after a rest day - you can transfer to our chalet via cable car.
DISTANCE Variable
ALTITUDE GAIN Optional
OVERNIGHT STOP Private Chalet
MEALS Breakfast
Cheering our riders in as they arrive on Alpe d'Huez
STAGE 12 TO ALPE D’HUEZ WILL BE 175KM OF PURE DRAMA. A CLASSIC STAGE WITH 3 HORS CATEGORIE CLIMBS. WE WILL CHEER THE RIDERS FROM THE BEST POSITION ON ALPE D’HUEZ – THE FINAL MOUNTAIN CLIMB & ENJOY THE ACTION & ATMOSPHERE OF THE TOUR – IT’S AN UNFOGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
“The Queen Stage of the Tour”
“Stages like this are part of the legend of the Tour, and they add another, historical dimension to the race”
Our final night is Friday 20th July and on Saturday 21st of July you need to organise your own onward travel arrangements from the Alps. Our final Chalet is located in Vaujany & we will assist with transport to Grenoble (via a fantastic Alpine bus service from Vaujany that carries bicycles). Grenoble has a train station with rail links to Lyon or Paris for TGV (very fast train) and international airports with flights to Australia. If you want to stay a night in Grenoble, we can recommend a conveniently located hotel near the bus and train station.
Each day we get to watch a stage of the Tour de France, we provide you with various options for viewing the Tour including loop rides and additional climbs located in and around Alpe d'Huez. Loop Rides are optional - you can relax around our hotel/chalet, visit the nearby towns and villages or those with weary legs can have a day to relax - after all, it is a holiday!
“The Nice to Alpe d’Huez tour was an absolutely magical trip of a lifetime for me and I thank you all for the part you played in making it such a wonderful and unforgettable experience”
To secure your place in the ride we require;
EITHER a DEPOsit by BOOKING ONLINE or by CONTACTING WOR to arrange an EFT.
For more info or to make a tour booking...
+61 (0) 411 362 644
