Tour de France Grand Départ
VIP Spectator Tour

In the morning, we will head over to Oudenaarde, which hosts the finish of the Tour of Flanders and is home to the famous Flanders Museum. Explaining bikes through the ages, how they were used in the war, the tour through the decades – its a must-vist for cycling fans and has an excellent gift shop! We’ll head back to Lille after lunch then mid-afternoon we will head to see the Teams arrive before the Presentation – excited, nervous and ready for the month ahead. We’ll also visit the Fan Village, full of all exciting stands and sponsors. We’ll choose a spot to watch the presentation or watch them cycle by as they head to the stage. Everyone is so excited and happy! This year’s winner will be right there!

Today we head into Belgium to visit its most stunning city – Bruges. This is Belgium’s most perfectly preserved medieval town, and its jaw-droppingly beautiful architecture attracts more than two million visitors a year. With its wealth of interesting old buildings and canals, Bruges still retains a distinct medieval air. Take a walk through the narrow streets or a boat trip on the canal and fall under its spell, charmed by the atmosphere of what many consider the most delightful city of Flanders. On the way back, we’ll swing by Roubaix so you can see the famous velodrome, before we head back to Lille in the afternoon and the buzzing atmosphere as it prepares to host the Start and Finish tomorrow!

As an Official Tour Operator, we have secured a visit to the ‘Team Paddock’ and Departure Village Stage Start. The Departure Village allows you to see sponsors and gain VIP entry, perhaps even meeting past winners of the race. Then it’s onto our favourite area – the paddock. This is where all the cyclists and teams congregate pre-race. The area offers fantastic opportunities to get up-close to the riders and Tour celebrities, as well as getting a first-hand view of the inner workings of the Tour de France. This is the place to get those all-important autographs and pictures with the Tour celebrities and riders. Then in a double-VIP experience day, we’ll head to the Finish!  The Izoard is a 3-tiered viewing area on the Finish line area,  with complimentary appetizers, drinks and official TDF photos. There’s live coverage of the race as we await the riders and take advantage of the free bar, canapes and entertainment, until we see them with our own eyes! After the gruelling 185km who will be in yellow?!

Situated in a key location on the course, this exclusive area offers a 3-course meal, a free bar, live viewing  and commentary, plus entertainment! Even better news is they LOVE Thomson Spectators and spoil us rotten. Be showered with Tour de France hospitality and enjoy a chilled yet exciting atmosphere, with photo booths, VR games, and seating at dedicated tables to enjoy the race before it passes by LIVE!  The premium roadside location will offer amazing opportunities to get some great stress free shots of the riders as they ride past us on the course. Then it’s back to the live viewing to see who will win today’s stage. A fabulous gift rounds up the day. We’ll have a farewell dinner in the hotel that evening.

After all that excitement it’s time to say goodbye. The hotel is around the corner from Lille Europe TGV station and you can take trains to Paris or to your next destination.  Or why not book yourself a few extra days vacation in this fashionable city? The hotel can also organise taxis to Lille Airport. We hope to see you back in the future. Join us on a Thomson Spectator Trip to the Spring Classics, La Vuelta or the Tour Down Under.