Classic tour (non-riders only), VIP stage viewings, see four (4) TDF stages including two stages in the Pyrenees, the final time-trial, and Paris finish; fully guided; full itinerary for non-riders. In Paris, join an optional morning ‘fat tire’ ride up the Champs Elysées on race finish day; send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant ‘Le 58’.
TOUR INFORMATION
Not exactly Froome on a bike? No problem. See the Tour of France while never even touching a bike (except for Paris). Our signature classic trips are for non-riders. So while you’ll see the race’s final stages, there won’t be a heart-monitor in the group. Experience the final four (4) TDF stages including two stages in the Pyrenees, the final time trial near Biarritz, and Paris finish. When not seeing the Tour, hike, eat, and drink your way through France. See two incredible parts of France: the rugged Pyrenees and then stunning Paris for the finish. But we had to add just 1 ride: end your tour in style with an optional morning ride in Paris up the Champs Elysees on race finish day. It’s been a Spyns’ tradition for over 10 years. Then watch the race from our VIP suites overlooking the race course. Your adventure ends with send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Magnifique!
July 26 – Day 1 Pyrenees: Stage 18 Finish Pau
12:30 meeting time with Spyns’ guides at the Pau train station. Following brief introductions, watch the exciting stage 18 finish from Spyns’ VIP viewing area, complete with live TV coverage and open bar. Before the peleton arrives in town, optional walking tour of historic Pau, the regional capital. After the stage finish, bus transfer back to your hotel for a late dinner on the hotel’s spectacular terrace with breathtaking views of the mountains.
July 27 – Day 2 Pyrenees / Transfer Day: Stage 19
After gourmet breakfast, today is another day of exciting TDF stage viewing. Van transfer to Lourdes to enjoy the TDF’s starting village complete with team buses, pro riders warming up, and countless vendors. Then van transfer up the mountain to our VIP viewing area on the Col du Soulor (one of the final climbs of today’s race). The group will enjoy Spyns’ classic VIP stage viewing with tents, outdoor barbecue, open bar, and live TDF coverage. Guided optional hike to explore the scenic Col du Soulor before the pro riders blast by. After the stage, we’ll have a relaxed dinner on the mountain before evening bus transfer to seaside Biarritz where the group will spend a restful night before Paris.
July 28 – Day 3 Biarritz: Stage 20 Individual Time Trial
Two options today: skip the stage and head straight to Paris or enjoy the all-day time trial in nearby Souraïde. Option 1 Skip the Stage: Had enough of the tour? No problem. Sleep in, enjoy the beach, or do a bit of shopping before an early afternoon train to Paris. A guide will accompany you to Paris and get you settled in your Paris hotel. Free evening in Paris and free night for dinner although a guide will be on hand to make dinner reservations if you’d like. Option 2 Time Trial Stage Viewing: Morning bus transfer to nearby Souraïde, a small Basque village located along the day’s time trail route. Experience the all-day individual time trial. In past Tours of France, the final time trial has often determined the race’s winner. Spyns will set up its classic VIP viewing village with unparalleled roadside access to the race course. Again we’ll provide TVs showing live tour coverage, food, and open bar. After the stage, evening train to Paris arriving just before midnight. Nicknamed the “party train,” Spyns will provide both food, drink, and often music, on this fun train trip to Paris.
July 29 – Day 4 Paris: Stage 21 Paris Finish
Spyns hosts its classic morning bike ride (suitable for all abilities) on the Champs Elysees. Enjoy a fat-tire spin on the Tour de France race course when downtown Paris is closed to traffic. What are fat-tires? These are thicker and slightly deflated tires perfect for riding on the cobblestone streets of Paris. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bike around the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs Elysees, and take a few pictures near the finish, all before return ride along the Seine and Eiffel Tower. After a late breakfast, watch the race from the Spyns’ VIP room with open bar, food, and unbeatable balcony views of the race course. Final send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower.
July 30 – Day 5 Paris: Departure
Sleep off the week’s excesses, enjoy a late breakfast, or get in that last bit of shopping before departure. The perfect holiday!
Day 1 (July 26)
Grand Hotel***
Pierrefitte-Nestalas, Pyrenees | Rooms – 25
Our Review : The Grand Hotel exudes a rare 1930s luxury you’d normally find more at home in New England. But we are indeed in the Pyrenees. Spyns has been coming back to this charming hotel for the past six years and we almost have the run of the place. Located in a small village just south of Lourdes, it is the best location to explore the majestic Pyrenees.
Pros : Location: With terrific views of the central Pyrenees, the hotel has an unbeatable location near famous climbs like Soulor and Aubisque. The hotel is quiet, well-appointed, and expertly managed.
Cons : The hotel is somewhat isolated, so no shopping nearby, but nonetheless a relaxing way to start your tour.
Day 2 (July 27)
Hotel Le Gamaritz***
Biarritz, Bay of Biscay (Western Pyrenees) | Rooms – 12
Our Review : This is the first time a Spyns’ group will stay in beautiful Biarritz, France’s famous Atlantic seaside getaway. Naturally we chose a hotel right in Biarritz the Gamartiz is everything we wanted and more. Located right in the heart of historic Biarritz, just a short walk from the beach, this hotel has been expertly managed by the same owners for years.
Pros : Location: centre of Biarritz just a short walk from the beach. Rooms: very comfortable and clean rooms. Breakfast: hotel has one of the better breakfast buffets in France.
Cons : Rooms can be a bit small, cramped even. Noise may be na issue as there are a few bars and restaurants nearby. Furnishings are rather standard.
Days 5-7 (July 28-30)
Hotel Saint James Albany****
202 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France | Rooms – 200
Our Review : Paris at its best. A Spyns favorite, this Paris hotel is the best place to see and be seen during the Tour de France. Not only is the hotel right along the race course, it boats its own swimming pool and spa (rare for crowded Paris). Online reviews were mixed so our president stayed at the hotel in early 2014 and gave it a thumbs up. Moreover, the recently completed renovations have given the rooms a newer, more modern look.
Pros : Location: right on the Rue de Rivoli, a few blocks from the Louvre, Seine, and three blocks away from the Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysees. Service: You get what you pay for. One of the better breakfasts in Paris. Over the top service for over the top prices. Comfort: Some of the best and most comfortable beds in France.
Cons : While the rooms have been renovated, they still lack a certain amount of style. Bathrooms could be larger and better appointed.
This is a non-riding tour. However, on July 27, TDF race finish day in Paris, join your guides for an 8 a.m. fat-tire ride up the Champs Elysées. Paris is closed to traffic on race day so this is a once-in a lifetime opportunity to bike up the Champs Elysées and along the Seine before the finish rolls into town. This has been a Spyns tradition for almost 10 years!
- + OVERVIEW
-
Not exactly Froome on a bike? No problem. See the Tour of France while never even touching a bike (except for Paris). Our signature classic trips are for non-riders. So while you’ll see the race’s final stages, there won’t be a heart-monitor in the group. Experience the final four (4) TDF stages including two stages in the Pyrenees, the final time trial near Biarritz, and Paris finish. When not seeing the Tour, hike, eat, and drink your way through France. See two incredible parts of France: the rugged Pyrenees and then stunning Paris for the finish. But we had to add just 1 ride: end your tour in style with an optional morning ride in Paris up the Champs Elysees on race finish day. It’s been a Spyns’ tradition for over 10 years. Then watch the race from our VIP suites overlooking the race course. Your adventure ends with send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Magnifique!
- + ITINERARY
-
July 26 – Day 1 Pyrenees: Stage 18 Finish Pau
12:30 meeting time with Spyns’ guides at the Pau train station. Following brief introductions, watch the exciting stage 18 finish from Spyns’ VIP viewing area, complete with live TV coverage and open bar. Before the peleton arrives in town, optional walking tour of historic Pau, the regional capital. After the stage finish, bus transfer back to your hotel for a late dinner on the hotel’s spectacular terrace with breathtaking views of the mountains.
July 27 – Day 2 Pyrenees / Transfer Day: Stage 19
After gourmet breakfast, today is another day of exciting TDF stage viewing. Van transfer to Lourdes to enjoy the TDF’s starting village complete with team buses, pro riders warming up, and countless vendors. Then van transfer up the mountain to our VIP viewing area on the Col du Soulor (one of the final climbs of today’s race). The group will enjoy Spyns’ classic VIP stage viewing with tents, outdoor barbecue, open bar, and live TDF coverage. Guided optional hike to explore the scenic Col du Soulor before the pro riders blast by. After the stage, we’ll have a relaxed dinner on the mountain before evening bus transfer to seaside Biarritz where the group will spend a restful night before Paris.
July 28 – Day 3 Biarritz: Stage 20 Individual Time Trial
Two options today: skip the stage and head straight to Paris or enjoy the all-day time trial in nearby Souraïde. Option 1 Skip the Stage: Had enough of the tour? No problem. Sleep in, enjoy the beach, or do a bit of shopping before an early afternoon train to Paris. A guide will accompany you to Paris and get you settled in your Paris hotel. Free evening in Paris and free night for dinner although a guide will be on hand to make dinner reservations if you’d like. Option 2 Time Trial Stage Viewing: Morning bus transfer to nearby Souraïde, a small Basque village located along the day’s time trail route. Experience the all-day individual time trial. In past Tours of France, the final time trial has often determined the race’s winner. Spyns will set up its classic VIP viewing village with unparalleled roadside access to the race course. Again we’ll provide TVs showing live tour coverage, food, and open bar. After the stage, evening train to Paris arriving just before midnight. Nicknamed the “party train,” Spyns will provide both food, drink, and often music, on this fun train trip to Paris.
July 29 – Day 4 Paris: Stage 21 Paris Finish
Spyns hosts its classic morning bike ride (suitable for all abilities) on the Champs Elysees. Enjoy a fat-tire spin on the Tour de France race course when downtown Paris is closed to traffic. What are fat-tires? These are thicker and slightly deflated tires perfect for riding on the cobblestone streets of Paris. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bike around the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs Elysees, and take a few pictures near the finish, all before return ride along the Seine and Eiffel Tower. After a late breakfast, watch the race from the Spyns’ VIP room with open bar, food, and unbeatable balcony views of the race course. Final send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower.
July 30 – Day 5 Paris: Departure
Sleep off the week’s excesses, enjoy a late breakfast, or get in that last bit of shopping before departure. The perfect holiday!
- + HOTELS
-
Day 1 (July 26)
Grand Hotel***
Pierrefitte-Nestalas, Pyrenees | Rooms – 25
Our Review : The Grand Hotel exudes a rare 1930s luxury you’d normally find more at home in New England. But we are indeed in the Pyrenees. Spyns has been coming back to this charming hotel for the past six years and we almost have the run of the place. Located in a small village just south of Lourdes, it is the best location to explore the majestic Pyrenees.
Pros : Location: With terrific views of the central Pyrenees, the hotel has an unbeatable location near famous climbs like Soulor and Aubisque. The hotel is quiet, well-appointed, and expertly managed.
Cons : The hotel is somewhat isolated, so no shopping nearby, but nonetheless a relaxing way to start your tour.
Day 2 (July 27)
Hotel Le Gamaritz***
Biarritz, Bay of Biscay (Western Pyrenees) | Rooms – 12
Our Review : This is the first time a Spyns’ group will stay in beautiful Biarritz, France’s famous Atlantic seaside getaway. Naturally we chose a hotel right in Biarritz the Gamartiz is everything we wanted and more. Located right in the heart of historic Biarritz, just a short walk from the beach, this hotel has been expertly managed by the same owners for years.
Pros : Location: centre of Biarritz just a short walk from the beach. Rooms: very comfortable and clean rooms. Breakfast: hotel has one of the better breakfast buffets in France.
Cons : Rooms can be a bit small, cramped even. Noise may be na issue as there are a few bars and restaurants nearby. Furnishings are rather standard.
Days 5-7 (July 28-30)
Hotel Saint James Albany****
202 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France | Rooms – 200
Our Review : Paris at its best. A Spyns favorite, this Paris hotel is the best place to see and be seen during the Tour de France. Not only is the hotel right along the race course, it boats its own swimming pool and spa (rare for crowded Paris). Online reviews were mixed so our president stayed at the hotel in early 2014 and gave it a thumbs up. Moreover, the recently completed renovations have given the rooms a newer, more modern look.
Pros : Location: right on the Rue de Rivoli, a few blocks from the Louvre, Seine, and three blocks away from the Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysees. Service: You get what you pay for. One of the better breakfasts in Paris. Over the top service for over the top prices. Comfort: Some of the best and most comfortable beds in France.
Cons : While the rooms have been renovated, they still lack a certain amount of style. Bathrooms could be larger and better appointed.
- + RIDING INFO
-
This is a non-riding tour. However, on July 27, TDF race finish day in Paris, join your guides for an 8 a.m. fat-tire ride up the Champs Elysées. Paris is closed to traffic on race day so this is a once-in a lifetime opportunity to bike up the Champs Elysées and along the Seine before the finish rolls into town. This has been a Spyns tradition for almost 10 years!
