bordeaux to alpe d’huez

Details

Bordeaux to Alpe d’Huez is a two week cycle tour traversing France, exploring the interwoven tapestry of the history of Western Europe as we cycle from the vineyards of Bordeaux to finish in the French Alps. This is the ultimate ride across France!

We start in Bordeaux, a classical French city set on the river Garonne and surrounded by vineyards.

The first week is easier cycling as we travel east, exploring the regions, cultures and cuisines. We ride through the famous vineyards of Bordeaux and visit the charming wine village of St Emilion. We visit the castles and prehistoric caves of the Dordogne, with 2 nights in the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat la Caneda.

We ride along the valley of the Lot - rich in cultural heritage, with beautiful forested valleys, limestone cliffs and Romanesque villages as we travel along part of the historic pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostella.

We ride along the spectacular Tarn gorge - a cycling paradise, meandering along a deep river valley. We ride the Cevennes mountains - lesser known climbs and beautiful mountain scenery in one France’s least populated rural regions.

We ride through sunflower fields, Provençal market towns and explore the roads, bridges and aqueducts of the Roman civilisation like the Pont du Gard

In the second week the cycling becomes more mountainous, as we conquer Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence and cycle in to the Alps for a spectacular finish on the 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d’Huez - one of the most famous cycling climbs in the world!

Terrain Easier rolling cycling in the first week (600-1000m altitude a day) building as we make our way to hilly and mountainous terrain in the second week, culminating in some challenging alpine climbs.

Cuisine is a highlight on all our tours. This tour offers an incredible range of cuisine as we travel through some of France’s most famous foodie regions - from the wines of Bordeaux to the duck and foie gras of the Dordogne, the bursts of colour and flavour of Provence and the hearty mountain food of the Alps - tartiflette, fondue and tarte aux myrtilles (alpine berry pie). It’s also a tour through some of France’s famous wine regions - hearty Bordeaux reds to crisp dry Provençal rosé.

Distance Approx 1000km (options for more/less)
Average Daily Distance 70-100km per day
Climbing Approx 1100m altitude gain per day.
Rest/Loop Days 2

Bikes Bring your own. E-bikes welcome.

Group Size Small to mod sized group of cyclists.

Accomodation Hotels. We prefer small, family run hotels where possible and stay in mostly 3 star accommodation.

Meals 15 breakfasts, 8 afternoon teas, 7 group meals.

Start/Finish Meet in Bordeaux, finish on Alpe d’Huez, France. Bordeaux is easily accessible with an airport and TGV station. We will assist with transfers from Alpe d’Huez to Grenoble, which is linked to Lyon and Paris by train. Lyon and Paris both have international airports connecting to Australia.

Inclusions Request our Tour information document for a comprehensive list of inclusions.

Exclusions Your bike & spare parts, travel to start/finish hotel, alcoholic & specialty beverages not included in group meals, other breakfasts/lunches/dinners not included in the Tour

Tour Itinerary Request Tour Information PDF via email.

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