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Route Rating Level 4 to Level 5

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Casual Inns
Trip Price:
  • $4,798 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$470 for sgl. occ.)
6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS
ROLL OVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Annecy, France/Avignon, France

Special Interest

Culture & History, Geological Wonders

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Fax: 510-527-1444
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Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
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from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Tour de France

The World's Greatest Bike Race

France 2009!

We invite you to join us in France to pedal in the same rarefied environment as the world's top cyclists, and view firsthand several stages of this incomparable feat of mind and mettle. Watch the drama, joy, heartbreak and downright craziness unfold amid some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. You'll get to tackle some of the event's most exciting miles ahead of the pros, including the challenging climbs to Col de la Colombière and up Mont Ventoux. While we can't award you a winner's jersey of your own, we can ensure that you'll be richly rewarded with this experience of a lifetime, made that much sweeter by the unsurpassed expertise and care you've come to expect from Backroads.

View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

View other trips in Europe France

Days 1-3 Megeve

While the pros take on the 99-mile high-mountain stage to Bourg-St-Maurice, we meet in Annecy and shuttle to Megève, a resort town located right on this year's race course  Head out for a warm-up spin through the region's gorgeous mountain terrain and soak up views of Mont Blanc  Pedal along part of Stage 17's route amid breathtaking alpine scenery and past sleepy farming communities to the base of Col de la Colombière  On your way up the heart-pumping climb to Le Grand-Bornand, stake out your spot to watch your heroes fly by Test your legs on a tough but stunning route that summits three mountain passes (two have previously made appearances in this race), or skip the last col so you can catch the action of the day's time trial by Lake Annecy.

Days 4-6 Les Baux

As the peloton leaves the Alps bound for the Rhône Valley, we shuttle to Les-Baux-de-Provence, a picturesque village perched on a rocky plateau above the Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell) Explore the fascinating town, and, if there's time, ride through Provençal countryside, passing olive groves and beautiful pastoral scenery Shuttle to Mont Ventoux to witness the penultimate day of the race, ending on this daunting summit Hours ahead of the pros, you get to tackle the "Giant of Provence" - the jubilant atmosphere provides a good distraction from your burning quads! Settle into your viewing spot amid the other excited spectators and cyclists, and then cheer like crazy for these phenomenal racers, who, after nearly 100 miles today and more than 2,000 miles in the last few weeks, finally have the end in sight. Allez! Allez! Savor the momentous occasion throughout your swooping fun-filled descent down the mountain. 

Guest Trip Reviews

Phenomenal. Some of the hardest miles I've ever ridden on a bike, given the terrain, but I was ready to do it all over again by the time we were packing up to go home. In fact, a few of us were already talking about where we might meet up next year. Perhaps the French Alps? Gotta climb those hills!
Nancy Tammi - Verona NJ

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the France tour experts. For biking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.

The World's Greatest Bike Race

World's Greatest Bike Race: Casual Inns

Le Gai Soleil

Megève (3 nights)
This comfortable chalet-style hotel affords views over the Rochebrune and Jaillet Mountains, and offers an outdoor heated swimming pool with a sundeck and a small gym with a Jacuzzi.

Auberge de la Benvengudo
Auberge de la Benvengudo

Les-Baux-de-Provence (2 nights)
Nestled in a tranquil garden, this hotel features a swimming pool, tennis court and comfy guest rooms furnished with antiques.

The World's Greatest Bike Race

Route Rating: Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours
10-20
miles
2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours
21-30
miles
5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours
31-40
miles
7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours
41-55
miles
9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours
56-75+
miles
11-13+
miles
Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 12 miles
  • 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
  • 40, 62 miles
  • 5000 - 7500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 4 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • 44, 62, 81 miles
  • 3500 - 7000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 12 miles
  • 900 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Level 3  1 Route Option Available
  • 30 miles
  • 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Conclusion of Trip

The terrain on this trip varies from rolling to mountainous. The climbs up alpine passes are made more challenging by sections of steep grades and the high altitude.