Tour de France: The Alps and Alpe d’Huez to Paris Race Access

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll descend to Moutiers to intercept the race course of today’s mountaintop finish ahead of the peloton. You'll ascend the final climb of the stage, the Col de la Loze, which at 7,559 feet is the highest point of this year’s Tour! This 17.5 mile climb may only have an average gradient of 6% but reaches pitches over 10% toward the top. It’s a race-day climb like nothing you’ve ever experienced, with VIP passes and the final stretch of the race course accompanied by an official race escort car just like the pros! Feel the Tour glory as you crest the summit and rocket across the finish line in Courchevel then climb the Official Tour podium with your fellow Trek Travelers for an unforgettable souvenir photo opportunity! Take a moment to celebrate your achievement and enjoy a well-deserved lunch with glorious views of the surrounding mountains. Afterwards, we'll watch the arrival of the racers from a unique vantage point aboard an official VIP luxury open-top bus close to the finish line. This exclusive viewing location is head-and-shoulders above the crowd and fully equipped with an open bar and large-screen TVs, so you don’t miss any of the action! Once the race has finished, choose to ride or shuttle ride back to Méribel. This evening, you are free to explore Méribel and try one of its excellent restaurants for dinner.

This morning we have another one-of-a kind VIP experience at the Stage 18 start. We’ll take a short shuttle to Moutiers and stroll into town where we have your coveted VIP passes to the official departure village. At the heart of the exciting race action, snap photos of the pros as they warmup and prepare for today’s stage, then position yourself to watch the start of the race and cheer the teams onward as they leave the Alps for the historic city of Bourg-en-Bresse. Once the racers have departed, we’ll shuttle into the Rhône-Alpes to tackle the Col du Glandon. This col was first featured in the 1947 Tour de France and showcased again in 2015. From our start in La Chambre, it’s a 13.2-mile climb and average gradient of 6.9% with challenging stretches of up to 12%. If you have the legs, choose to climb up to the Col de Croix de Fer or descend and refuel at our favorite mountain crêperie. Once in the valley you’ll ride along a bike path that takes you to Venosc and a quintessential alpine experience — ascending to our hotel via cable car. Les Deux Alpes is your port-of-call for the next two nights and where you’ll find the family-run Le Chalet Mounier, a luxurious and hospitable hotel that is perfectly situated for our attack on Alpe d’Huez tomorrow.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll descend to the base of the mythic Alpe d’Huez, the most revered and famous mountaintop finish in France. With an average grade of 8% and 21 switchbacks, each named after a winner of the climb in the Tour de France and baiting you to ride to the next, this lion of a climb is sure to capture all your attention. Alpe d’Huez was first included in the Tour in 1952, and it's often one of the most exciting points in the race. After ascending to the summit of this historic pass, snap some photos then fuel up over lunch while you celebrate your accomplishment and savor the astounding views. If you’re eager for more, continue up and over the mountain to attack Col de Sarenne. This quiet road is popular with locals as an understated, less traveled, and equally difficult challenge. After an exhilarating descent, choose to ride back to Les Deux Alpes directly or opt for a shuttle and enjoy the gorgeous spa at the hotel. Tonight, you're free to explore this quaint alpine village. Choose to dine at a local pizzeria or brewpub, indulge in a hearty raclette, or sidle up to a plate of pasta. There's plenty of variety to be found tonight and your guides are more than happy to help you choose.

An unforgettable “King/Queen of the Mountains” challenge is on tap as you tackle three of the Alps’ most celebrated and scenic passes. You'll begin with the lofty Col du Lautaret, a mountain that has seen the Tour pass by over 40 times and guaranteed to get your heart pounding. Next, you’ll climb up to nearly 8,600 feet above sea level as you top the iconic Col du Galibier. It is over 100 years ago since this magnificent climb first debuted in the race. If you seek an even bigger challenge, tackle the adjacent Col du Télégraphe, passing cycling's memorial to legendary rider Marco Pantani, before heading back down to enjoy lunch at your leisure in the ski resort town of Valloire. Your guides will support you with water, snacks, rest stops, and Tour-de-France-style cheers as you meet today’s challenge head on with all the determination of a pro cyclist. Upon your return to the hotel, catch the final sprint into le Markstein Fellering on television, as there will surely be a battle for who will wear the yellow jersey into Paris! Tonight, we’ll explore Les Deux Alpes to dine at a great restaurant but rest up and get ready for live race action at the finale stage in the city of lights tomorrow.

This morning, you'll rise early and board a TGV (France’s high-speed train) and head for Paris and the grand finale of this year’s Tour. You’ll arrive at our luxurious hotel, Le Bristol Paris, which is ideally situated just a short walk from the Place de la Concorde and today’s exclusive live race viewing of finale stage. This afternoon your Trek Travel guides will escort you behind the security line to the prestigious Automobile Club de France. Feel the ripples of anticipation as the racers arrive on the streets of Paris and cheer with the crowds as the passion of the race fills the heart of the city. We'll savor a celebratory glass of champagne and a buffet of elegant hors d'oeuvres. Enjoy a privileged view from the grand balcony and rooftop terrace overlooking the race pageantry and witness the energy of the peloton as it sweeps past at over 30 miles per hour, catapulting another champion toward the podium. Once the race has finished and if race regulations allow, grab an autograph, and shake hands with the Trek-Segafredo team at an exclusive Q & A with team members, VIPs, and sponsors. The fanfare, excitement, and energy of the 110th edition of the Tour de France is all yours as you celebrate the glory of this epic race. C’est magnifique!

It's hard to imagine, but your Trek Travel tour of a lifetime has come to a close. Choose to sleep in today or enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the hotel as you contemplate the lasting memories you’ve made. You’ll say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at the Le Bristol Paris, with a 12:00 PM checkout. Please make your own onward travel arrangements to the airport, train station, or other destination of your choice.