Tour de France: The Alps to Paris Ultimate VIP Team and Race Access 2023

Enjoy your café au lait this morning as we have an incredible VIP day in store for you! Head out for a short loop ride in the cool morning air, along scenic mountain roads and return to the hotel to freshen up before a private shuttle takes you to your destination for the day, the exclusive Relais Etape hospitality zone of Stage 16. Complete with a live broadcast of the race on large-screen TVs, a lavish lunch, and an open bar, it's the perfect place to watch the Tour de France in style. As the excitement of the caravan approaches, head out on the roadside to catch some "swag" and relish in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be where die-hard fans have camped out for days waiting to cheer on the pros. You'll bear witness to live race action on the course as the riders battle it out on the only Individual time trial of this year’s Tour. This evening, we'll have an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes with a special private event with Lidl-Trek. You'll join team representatives for a Q&A cocktail hour, and if race regulations allow, take a tour in the team bus and watch the team’s mechanics prepare the pros ultimate Trek bikes for tomorrow’s final stage in the Alps. Take it all in and prepare yourself for more exciting live race action tomorrow!

This morning we have another one-of-a kind VIP experience at the Stage 17 start just a short distance from our hotel. You'll ride into town where we have your coveted VIP passes to the official departure village. Snap a photo 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 for the final Alpine mountaintop finish in Courchevel. Once the racers have departed, you’ll follow the race course to Flumet then, as the pros tackle their first climb of the day — the Col des Saisies — you’ll turn right to climb on the opposite side of the valley up to the Col des Aravis. The Tour has climbed this cyclist's favorite more than 39 times in its history including Stage 15 of this year’s Tour. After a warm-up along the Gorges de l’Arondine, you reach La Giettaz where the climb begins. With an average grade of 5% and surrounded by gorgeous meadows, this gradual ascent affords you panoramic views of the rugged snow-capped peaks that surround you. On a clear day from the summit, you can see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. If you have the legs, tackle the Col de Croix Fry before relaxing over lunch at a traditional bistro on the summit of the Col des Aravis. After lunch, the ride takes you back to the hotel where you can unwind from exciting day. Armed with restaurant suggestions from your guides, this evening you are free to wander the delightful streets of Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains for a delicious mountain-style dinner.

Today you can enjoy as much or as little of the spectacular riding available right outside our hotel. Just like the pros, your day starts with the chance to ride the first major climb from yesterday's stage, the Col des Saisies. It’s a stunning 14-kilometer climb with an average grade of 5%. Take in the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks before arriving at the ski village of Les Saisies, which boasts over 140 kilometers of Nordic trails, some of the highest in Europe. Continue on the race route as far as you like as the mountain vistas just get better with every turn or pause once at the summit to refuel at the bistro of your choice. This route is sure to test even the strongest climbers. Return to the hotel at your leisure to relax by the pool or enjoy the spa before before a spectacular dinner at our hotel's gourmet restaurant Table d'Armante.

This morning, you’ll rise early, bidding adieu to the Alps and begin the day's five-hour transfer to Alsace, a beautiful and historical region of France that has architectural and cultural influences from the neighboring Germany. Here sets the stage for the penultimate race of this year’s Tour. Take some time to rest, relax, and watch the scenery change from the Alpine mountain landscapes to the forested slopes of the Vosges Mountain range. This afternoon, your ride begins at the beautiful Lac de Gérardmer but you can also opt to take a day off the bike and hike up a scenic trail that leads to the Observatoire de Merelle to see the incredible sweeping views of the lake and town below. Looking south, you will see the Col de Grosse Pierre featured in tomorrow’s stage and on today’s ride, which winds through wooded hillsides from one sleepy village to another. The ride ends at our hotel, Les Bas Rupts, a charming and luxurious Relais & Chateau hotel that has been run by the Philippe-Witdouck family for five generations. Here you’ll enjoy a warm welcome before a delicious gourmet dinner in the hotel’s fantastic restaurant.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll take a short shuttle to Munster, made famous for its delicious cheese, where your guides will have your bikes ready and waiting. You'll intercept the race course of today’s mountain stage and ascend the final two climbs, the Petit Ballon and Col du Platzerwasel, to ride ahead of the peloton to the finish in the ski resort town of Le Markstein. 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 Le Markstein, before climbing the Official Tour podium with your fellow Trek Travelers for an unforgettable souvenir photo opportunity! Take a moment to bask in the glory of your achievement and enjoy lunch with splendid views of the surrounding Vosges 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! There is sure to be a fight to the finish as the climbers duel to wear the yellow jersey onto the streets of Paris. Once the race has finished, you’ll shuttle back to our hotel for dinner and get ready for the final 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, the Mandarin Oriental Paris, which is ideally situated just a five-minute 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 Lidl-Trek 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 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 9:30 AM at the Mandarin Oriental but you can enjoy a 12:00 PM checkout time. Please make your own onward travel arrangements to the airport, train station, or other destination of your choice.