2024 Tour de France Grand Tour

Start your day with a morning ride around the enchanting hills of Tuscany, soaking in the scenic beauty. By early afternoon, catch a train into central Florence. Spend your afternoon exploring the cultural treasures of Florence and witness the Team Presentations in town. Conclude your day with a convenient train or bus ride back to Lucca, capping off a day filled with cycling adventures, cultural exploration, and a taste of the exciting atmosphere surrounding the Team Presentations in Florence.

Begin the day with an invigorating morning bike exploration, indulging in the breathtaking regional scenery known to captivate visitors. Later, the afternoon invites you to discover the captivating allure of Lucca’s Old Town. Encircled by intact Renaissance walls, Lucca’s historic centre exudes an intriguing blend of mediaeval architecture, charming piazzas, and ancient Roman roots, all waiting to be explored.

In the realm of cycling history, while the Tour de France may not directly grace this area, Italy’s cycling heritage, deeply intertwined with the Giro d’Italia, resonates here. Lucca and its surroundings have often been favoured training grounds for cycling champions, drawing upon the region’s diverse terrains and scenic routes. Engage with Lucca’s historical tapestry, and relish a serene afternoon amidst its timeless beauty and cycling legacy.

Today marks the commencement of the 2024 Tour de France, and it will be our primary focus. Setting out by luxury coach, we’ll journey into Florence to witness the official start of the 2024 Tour de France. After observing the riders’ impressive rollout, our group will reunite with our bus and head to our next destination, the charming city of Turin.

Once we arrive, a satisfying dinner awaits us at the hotel in Turin, offering a relaxing end to an exciting day filled with the commencement of this iconic cycling event and the transition to our new hotel.

Following the excitement of yesterday’s Grand Depart, today invites a more relaxed ambiance away from the bustling crowds. Embrace a leisurely exploration of Piedmont’s exquisite Italian villages by bike, immersing in their beauty and tranquillity. The afternoon offers personal leisure time, allowing you the freedom to further explore and savour the local offerings at your own pace.

Today, our attention shifts back to the professionals as the sprinters set themselves up for a showdown in Turin. Turin exudes a regal ambiance with grand boulevards and historic squares, showcasing its rich cultural heritage. The city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, intertwines cycling enthusiasm as a periodic host of the Giro d’Italia. Amidst this cultural splendour, the day culminates with anticipation for the thrilling sprint finish of the stage. 

Before the excitement, the morning invites an easier ride in Piedmont. Afterward, immerse yourself in the city’s allure and then gather to witness the exhilarating stage climax, immersing in the dynamic atmosphere. The evening presents an opportunity to delve deeper into the city’s wonders or indulge in its renowned culinary scene.

The day commences with a visit to the charming village of Pinerolo, anticipating the stage start. As the professional cyclists race away, our journey begins on our bikes, tracing their path through Sestriere and into the majestic French Alps. Prepare for a thrilling and demanding ride, offering both the challenge of the route and the breathtaking beauty of the Alpine scenery.

Upon reaching our next hotel, we gather for a well-deserved dinner, uniting to share tales of the day’s cycling exploits. This shared experience of cycling along the professional route creates a sense of camaraderie, bonding us over our collective cycling journey through the picturesque landscapes of the French Alps.

Having attended the race and presentations on four occasions, our focus now shifts to our personal riding experiences as the Tour de France continues its northern route. Today, we step away from the race action to fully immerse ourselves in the scenic allure of the French Alps. The morning’s highlight includes conquering the renowned Col du Galibier, a legendary climb featured in numerous Tour de France events. Despite its altitude, accessing this iconic ascent from our valley-based location will offer a manageable challenge.

Post our invigorating ride, we’ll relax at our hotel, catching the electrifying climax of the TDF stage on television. To conclude this day of exploration in the French Alps, we gather for a delightful dinner at the hotel, where we share anecdotes and experiences from our Alpine escapades.

In the morning, embrace the chance to conquer another renowned French peak, the Croix de Fer, or opt for a smaller loop around Huez, allowing a day of leisurely exploration in the village. Later in the afternoon, we’ll watch the Individual Time Trial on TV, savouring the excitement from the comfort of our accommodation. To conclude our memorable trip, we’ll come together for a special farewell dinner. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our collective journey, share stories, and toast to the unforgettable experiences and achievements gained throughout our time exploring the picturesque French Alps and witnessing the exhilarating stages of the Tour de France.

Today marks the end of the Grand Depart part of your Grand Tour experience. We will say farewell to a few of our guests as we begin the second part of the Tour de France.

Our morning will begin with us making our way to Lyon where we will jump on the TGV (fast train) and enjoy speeds 300KPH as we travel to Toulouse. 

We will enjoy an easier start to the day with gentle speed around the sights of Toulouse.

After lunch, we have planned a unique experience with a visit to Airbus. Airbus is the home to the famous A380 and nearly 20,000 employees work for Airbus in Toulouse. You will discover the latest generation of Airbus aircraft and we get to see the amazing assembly line of the new A350XWB.

Tonight we will have dinner together to meet a few more of the Bikestyle Tours team.

Today we will be joined by some fellow guests joining us for the final 2 weeks of the Tour de France. We will transfer to our accommodations along the Lot River in the Auvergne region, with close access to the coming days of racing. As well as rolling hills, valleys, and winding rivers through this beautiful region famous for its typical French cuisine. We will have time for an afternoon ride along the Lot River. Our day concludes with dinner to welcome your new travel friends.

Today we will begin our exploration of the Massif Central of France and ride to the serene village of Laguiole. Famous for its knives you will have the opportunity to visit the artisan knife makers of Laguiole.

In the evening we will come together to watch the stage finish of the race on TV and share another dinner together.

Today we will witness another Tour de France stage up close and personal. We will ride to the race today and see the riders take on the final kilometers of the stage to Le Lioran. After catching our luxury coach back to our hotel we will come together for dinner.

Today we will give the legs a rest and focus on the Tour de France and making our way to our next location in the Pyrenees. We will take our luxury coach to the village of Aurillac to witness the riders start Stage 12 of the Tour bound for Villeneuve-Sur-Lot. After seeing the riders depart we will make our way South to our next base nestled in the Pyrenees.

This will be an ideal location to see the race and conquer iconic French climbs. In the evening we will share dinner together.

Today we will take on an iconic climb commonly featured in the Tour de France, the Hautacam. This climb is situated just up the valley from our hotel. You will be able to test your legs on its slopes and enjoy your first taste of the Pyrenean mountains. 

In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to catch the train to Pau to see the stage finish. In the evening you will be free to explore Lourdes.

Today we will witness the pros take on the Tourmalet. This will be a key stage in the battle for the GC and the Tourmalet will be the first of three huge climbs that the riders will race up on today’s stage. We will aim to watch the race on its slopes and get the opportunity to ride this mythic climb for ourselves. This climb is commonly featured in the Tour de France and usually is a very decisive climb in the battle for the Maillot Jaune.

In the evening after the fanfare of the tour we will return to our base in Lourdes where we will share our day’s experiences over dinner.

As the riders take on the Plateau de Beille in the journey East through the Pyrenees we will take on one of the iconic Pyrenean climbs not far from our base. Col du Solour and Col d’Aubisque are spectacular and iconic climbs commonly visited by the Tour de France. These climbs offer unrivaled scenery of the Pyrenees with green mountains and rugged countryside along the route, watch out for the livestock that is commonly found along the cloudy road atop these mountains. After descending back down we will head back to our hotel where you’ll be free to further explore Lourdes for the evening.

As the professionals rest their legs on their second rest day, we will also give ours a break as we make our way on our luxury coach from the Pyrenees to Provence to intersect the race as it enters its final week.

As we enter Provence you will notice the landscape change dramatically from the green mountains of the Pyrenees to the harsh white stone and dirt through the spectacular olive groves of Provence. After our transfer and checking into our next location, you will have the late afternoon to explore the area before we share another dinner together, anticipating the excitement to come.

Today we will enjoy exploring the olive groves of Provence by bike. Nyons is known for being the northernmost olive-growing area in Europe. Its geography and topography make it ideal for growing olives and give Nyons its Mediterranean influence. It was the first area to earn Nyons the first AOC appellation for olives and olive oil in France. You will have the afternoon to explore this idyllic village of Provence. In the late afternoon, we will catch the stage finish on TV as the riders race to the Colosseum of Nimes.

Today marks our re-entry into the vibrant excitement of the Tour de France. Immerse yourself once more in the race’s fervour as the riders journey from Saint Paul Trois Chateaux to Superdevoluy amidst the breathtaking Southern Alps. Get up close to the action, either catching the race at its commencement or as the cyclists whiz past our hotel.

In the morning, gear up for a refreshing ride to ensure our legs are in prime condition for the upcoming events. This preparation is essential for the agenda awaiting us tomorrow.

After our cycling escapade, reconvene for a delightful dinner at our hotel. Share stories and relive the day’s experiences amidst the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, setting the stage for the thrilling moments anticipated in the following days of our Tour de France expedition.

Today’s agenda revolves around conquering the legendary Mont Ventoux, famously steeped in Tour de France history. The ascent from Bedoin, ascending through the forest, leads to the awe-inspiring moonscape atop Ventoux. Here, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, a truly spectacular and unforgettable moment.

As evening descends, we gather for a final night in Provence, sharing a delightful dinner.

Today, our journey transitions from Provence to the picturesque Mediterranean Sea, aboard our luxury coach. Upon arrival at our final destination, we’ll embark on a delightful spin along the coast, relishing the seaside vistas. Set in a prime location for cycling and with easy access to witness the race’s culminating stages, this spot promises a perfect setting for our cycling adventures.

Following our ride, you’ll have the leisurely afternoon and evening to explore the city at your own pace. Whether it’s uncovering local gems, soaking in the seaside ambiance, or simply savouring the Mediterranean charm, the day offers ample freedom for personal exploration and discovery.

Today’s itinerary revolves around our journey to the stage start in Nice, marking the queen stage of the 2024 Tour de France. As the riders prepare for their final bids for glory over the challenging mountainous terrain, we’ll witness their departure from Nice, absorbing the electrifying prelude to this pivotal race stage.

Following the thrilling start, we embark on our own ride, tracing the initial part of the race route. As we return to our hotel, the evening opens up for further exploration. Enjoy the freedom to delve into the city’s offerings, concluding another exhilarating day immersed in the captivating realm of the Tour de France.

Today is devoted entirely to the Tour de France, marking a historic milestone as the race concludes outside Paris for the first time in its 111-year history. This year’s final stage veers from tradition; instead of the customary celebratory procession, the riders face a challenging Individual Time Trial from Monaco to Nice, a significant departure from the norm. It’s a unique opportunity as the General Classification riders battle against the clock, making their ultimate bids for the prestigious Maillot Jaune.

In the morning, before the excitement ensues, we’ll embark on our own ride. Then, packing up our bikes, we’ll head to witness the compelling Time Trial. This stage promises an exhilarating spectacle, witnessing the riders’ last-ditch efforts for victory.

Post-stage, we gather for a final Farewell Dinner, a celebratory culmination of our journey and the remarkable experiences we’ve shared throughout this extraordinary Tour de France adventure.

Today marks the end of our incredible journey together. We’ll bid you a fond farewell and wish you safe travels for your onward adventure. Our morning will begin with our departure from the hotel, as we embark on a comfortable journey aboard our luxury coach. To our departure point at Nice Airport, ensuring a seamless transition for your onward flights.

As you head towards your next destination, take with you the memories, experiences, and camaraderie forged during our remarkable Tour de France adventure. Bon voyage!