Price US$3989/person based on double occupancy (2 guests per room). This tour is scheduled for July 16-23, 2012 and includes: 7 nights hotels, all breakfasts, 5 dinners and 3 lunches. See the detailed itinerary, and terms & conditions for further information.

Overview:  Want to see the TDF but not quite Lance on a bike? No problem. The only bikes you'll see on this trip are in the peleton.  Our 8-day romp through France combines loads of fun activities and the 2012 TDF's final stages. This tour is popular with all ages and fitness levels and is particularly popular with friends and families traveling together. See 5 TDF stages and in between plenty of adventure like canyoning and cooking classes.  In addition to seeing 5 TDF stages, including 3 in the Pyrenees, a time trial, and Paris finish, you will have time to explore the rugged Pyrenees as well as enjoy the excitement of the ever so 'chic'  Paris, while drinking fine wine and enjoying gourmet meals in Bordeaux. We've been leading TDF adventures since 2003 and have learned it all comes down to the extras.  Although this trip is for non-riders, everyone joins our traditional pre-finish bike ride up the deserted Champs Elysées on race finish day in Paris - the only (optional) ride of the tour and suitable for all!  

Day 1 (July 16) Stage 15 finish in Pau (Pyrenees): Meeting in the beautiful city of Pau, the group will enjoy an afternoon of Tour de France excitement. Spyns has arranged for a VIP room close to the finish line so you can enjoy drinks and a comfortable setting before dashing out to see the caravan, peloton, and stage 15 finish. Following the late afternoon finish, bus transfer to your hotel south of Lourdes with an evening buffet dinner.

Day 2 (July 17): This is a Tour de France rest day. Following a hearty breakfast, enjoy a half day of canyoning. This sport involves wearing a wetsuit, lowering yourself down a river valley, and slip-sliding your way through beautiful rivers, gulches, and waterfalls. Following lunch, if you’re not too tired you can enjoy an afternoon guided hike through the beautiful Pyrenees mountains.

Day 3 (July 18) Stage 16 viewing on Col du Tourmalet (Pyrenees): Morning van transfer to Spyns viewing tent. Once on the mountain, we’ll have an optional guided hike and petanque tournament before stage viewing and picnic lunch. Enjoy the entire Tour de France circus with caravan, peloton, riders, and support vehicles. Loaded down with Tour freebies from the publicity caravan, van shuttle back to the hotel for another gourmet dinner.

Day 4 (July 19) Stage 17 finish Peyragudes (Pyrenees): Today is all about the options. You can either choose to see the stage finish in Peyragudes or transfer directly to the next hotel in beautiful Bordeaux. Option 1 (skip the Tour de France): Late morning bus transfer to Bordeaux (3.5 hrs) with mid-route lunch stop. Early afternoon check in at your spectacular Bordeaux hotel (the Regent Grand Bordeaux) followed by late afternoon bike tour of Bordeaux.  Option 2 (see the stage finish): Transfer by Spyns van to our stage viewing area near the finish. Dinner in Peyragudes (not included so at your charge) followed by bus transfer to Bordeaux. If you choose Option 2, you won’t likely put head to pillow until midnight so this will be a long and tiring day.

Day 5 (July 20) Bordeaux: The entire group will transfer from downtown Bordeaux to the nearby village of Saint Emilion – a UNESCO world heritage site. You will enjoy a private walking tour of the city’s underground catacombs and subterranean cathedral carved into limestone rock. After some free time to shop, have lunch, and explore picturesque Saint Emilion, we will shuttle back in the motor coach. Gourmet dinner at a local Bordeaux bistro.

Day 6 (July 21) Stage 19 Time Trial Chartres: The group will have another exciting day full of options so you can see the Tour de France time trial or explore Bordeaux a bit more before heading directly to Paris, the ‘city of lights’. Option 1 (skip Stage 19 time trial) Sleep in, enjoy a late leisurely breakfast, check out shortly before 12, and join a cooking class in English. Sharpen your cooking skills at the famous ‘Atelier des Chefs’ in Bordeaux. You’ll then taste your creations before afternoon train to Paris. Option 2 (see Stage 19 time trial): Hop a morning train to Paris, with connecting train to Chartres. Spend an afternoon in Chartres to see the individual time trial with full access to Spyns VIP room near the finish line. Early evening transfer back to Paris following the time trial. Please note the total travel time for Option 2 will be 6-7 hours so this will be a long and tiring day. This will be a free night for dinner in Paris.   

How We Choose Your Hotels: Before planning any of our tours, a Spyns guide always conducts a full hotel inspection. While we always meet with the hotel manager, Ryan King (Spyns President) always seeks out the hotel’s two most important employees: its porter and bartender. Porters & bartenders always tell us which rooms have squeaky floors or whether the pool is really heated. Once we’ve toured, filmed, photographed, and catalogued a hotel, we then add it to our tours. You're planning to cross an ocean for Spyns TDF trip. The least we could do is check if your room has air conditioning.

 DETAILED ITINERARY 

This is a non-riding tour. However, on July 24, 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 around the deserted Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs Elysées and along the Seine before the finish rolls into town. This has been a Spyns tradition for almost 10 years!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require help with your pre-tour travel arrangements.

Below is the selection from our Maps Section

How much of the tour will I see?
How much are your tours? 
What are the dates for your tours?
Do your tours include airfare?
Where should I fly?
How do I get to the start of the tour?
I’m an avid rider, will there be enough riding for me?
I’m an average rider, will this tour be too difficult for me?
I don’t ride but my partner is an avid rider, will we enjoy the tour?
What kind of bikes do you provide?
Should I bring my own bike?
Why should I travel with your company?
What are your terms & conditions?
How do I reserve a tour?
What if I have to cancel?

How much of the tour will I see?
That depends on your 2012 Tour de France tour. Spyns only offers tours the final week le Tour. Longer tours logically include more stage viewing. For detailed stage information, please visit our All Tours page but here is a brief summary.

For more information, please visit our All Tours page.

How much are your tours?
We offer a variety of dates, activities, and prices to suit most budgets. For more information, please visit our our All Tours page but here is a summary:

Do your tours include airfare?
No. Our tours do not include airfare. You are responsible for getting to the tour’s starting point in (either Pau or Brive la Gaillarde depending on your tour). However, once in France we can help with your pre-trip hotel and train arrangements.

Where should I fly?
Most of our clients will fly in and out of Paris. There are at least 4 daily high-speed trains from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to the different starting points (in Pau and Brive la Gaillarde) - depending on your tour.  
 
How do I get to the start of the tour?
Fly to Paris and from downtown Paris you can then travel by train to your tour's starting point (either Pau or Brive la Gaillarde depending on your tour). We're more than happy to help with train and pre-trip hotel arrangements.

I’m an avid rider, will there be enough riding for me?
We have both riding and non-riding tours. Serious riders should join our 8-Day Pyrenees-Paris Tour as it has the most mileage (see below). For more information, please visit our All Tours page but here is a summary:

The Pyrenees to Paris tours included riding the Col d'Aubisque, Sulor, and Tourmalet to name a few. For more information, please visit our All Tours page

I’m an average rider, will the riding tours be too difficult for me?
You should avoid our Pyrenees to Paris premiere tour as it caters to very serious riders and doesn't offer non-riding activities. If you are an average rider, you should try our mixed Dordogne-Paris it includes light rides. For more information, please visit our All Tours page.

I don’t ride but my partner is an avid rider, will we enjoy the tour?
If you take one of our mixed tours, yes. The Pyrenees to Paris Premiere Tour and Dordogne-Paris Premiere Tour both include activities for riders and non-riders. All groups go in the same direction, see the same stages, and enjoy breakfast/dinner together. So the most you’ll be apart is normally a half day. Please visit our All Tours page for a detailed summary of the riding and non-riding activities.

What kind of bikes do you provide?
If you’re a fanatical rider, we strongly suggest you bring your own bike. If you’d like to use one of ours, we have two options: a Trek Ultra (rental included) or a Van Nicholas Yukon 3AL /2,5V Titanium road frame and Ax carbon Audax fork (rental price $175/bike). What follows are some additional details: Trek Ultra SL Aluminium bikes with alloy hubs, Alex Rims, Shimano Gears / Derailer, and Bontrager seat & stem (rental included); Van Nicholas Yukon 3AL /2,5V Titanium road frame and Ax carbon Audax fork, (Front) Shimano Ultegra or Shimano 105 10 triple crank 10 speed: 30-39-52 or 50 T and (Rear) Shimano Ultegra 10 speed: 12-27 or 11-28 (rental price $175/bike). If you plan to use one of our bikes, we suggest you still bring your pedals, shoes, seat and stem.

Should I bring my own bike?
If you are a serious rider (150-200 miles/week), you should bring your own bike. We strongly recommend you ship your bike to your first hotel but please note that we assume no risk/liability during shipping and transport during the tour. Please see our terms & conditions for more information. Following registration, we will send you detailed shipping instructions. Our mechanic can have your bike set up and ready before you arrive based on your specifications of course.

Why should I travel with your company?
Here are three main reasons: 1. Our prices are, on average, $1000 less than our competitors yet our TDF itineraries are by far the best. 2. Our average group size is 10-15 clients compared to 30-40+ for our competitors. 3. We are the only company that provides a complete itinerary for non-riders and light riders traveling in the same groups. Traveling with Spyns means enjoying your holiday even if you don’t touch a bike. Don't take our word for it, look at our testimonials. We're also more than happy to provide references upon request.

What are your Terms & Conditions?
We require payment of a non-refundable deposit upon registration followed by full non-refundable payment of your balance on Aril 20, 2012.

How do I reserve a tour?
By phone: Call us with a credit card number at 1.888.825.4720. By fax: Print, complete, sign and fax our registration form to us toll-free at 1.866.573.4248. Online: visit our All Tours page and click the corresponding 'book now' button.

What if I have to cancel?
We recommend you obtain cancellation insurance (www.travelinsured.com is a good choice) as all payments to Spyns are non-transferable and non-refundable.