Tour de France Alps
VIP Spectator Tour
Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Mini Alps
The All Mountain mini package!
Mystical peaks, painted roads, tired legs, tactical teams, steep climbs, Mont Blanc – welcome to the Magnificent Alps.
Live Race Viewing
VIP Relais Etape in Culoz
Stage 14: Annemasse to Morzine
VIP Departure Village Annemasse & mid race view
Stage 15: Les Gets to St Gervais Mont Blanc
VIP Finish Line Tribune Saint Gervais
Overview
Details
Next Departure
July 13th 2023
From
USD $3,695
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Overview
SOLD OUT: Please note that this trip is now sold out. Join our waiting list and you’ll be notified if a space becomes available.
Join us to see 3 epic stages, in fantastic locations, on the 2023 Tour de France in the Alps, where our guides live year-round! A real insider’s mini package in the mountains, with unimaginable scenic VIP viewings of a start, a mid view and a finish!
Discover the area and stages with minimal hassle as we stay in one Hotel on beautiful Lake Annecy.
Official Premium Tour Operator – Thomson Bike Tours is one of only 3 Official Tour Operators awarded “Premium” status to the Tour de France. Our partnership with the race organizers allows us to provide the ultimate insider Tour de France experience, complete with exclusive VIP hospitality and unprecedented race viewing opportunities.
Live Race Viewing
Stage 13
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne > Grand Colombier
Stage 14
Annemasse > Morzine
Stage 15
Les Gets > St Gervais Mont Blanc
Alberto De Leo, Zimbabwe — 2017
Cindi Barton, USA — 2018
Norma Dragani, USA — 2019
Exclusive VIP Access
You can’t get closer to the race unless you join a World Tour team
Insider Access
Meet the riders and Tour celebrities before the race start at the Departure Village and mix and mingle in the team area with Team Paddock access — a Spectator favorite!
Relais-Etape VIP
A great view of the race and more. Start with an aperitif at the bar and a seated lunch before watching the peloton race by in the company of an ex pro.
Izoard VIP Tribune
The Izoard VIP Tribune, situated opposite the Finish Line, offers VIP hospitality and unparalleled viewing of the stage finish.
A Passionate Team
Our passionate and knowledgable Spectator team are dedicated to providing you with a truly exceptional time at major Pro Tour bike races. The infectious personality of our team add an extra dimension to an unrivalled VIP experience. Simply the most fun you can have at a bike race.
ASO Premium Status
As the number one Official Premium Tour de France Tour Operater we can offer the ultimate in race access and exclusive goodies, such as the Tour de France Roadbook – the Holy Grail - given only to teams, media & Official Tour Operators (in digital form) and a special 25% discount card for Official Tour de France stores.
Break Away
Our guide has relationships with the commentators, teams and an extensive network of insider contacts, that means on the rest days you will be treated to a backstage pass experience
Itinerary
| Day | Headline | Description | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenue en France! | Hotel Rivage & Spa Annecy | ||
| 02 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Relais Etape in Culoz | Hotel Rivage & Spa Annecy | ||
| 03 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Annemasse and mid view | Hotel Rivage & Spa Annecy | ||
| 04 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Finish Line Tribune Saint Gervais | Hotel Rivage & Spa Annecy | ||
| 05 | Au Revoir |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Bienvenue en France!
Our staff will meet you at Geneva airport. From here we’ll transfer you in our private shuttle to our hotel in Annecy. After checking in we’ll have lunch where you’ll get a chance to meet your fellow Tour de France fans. Then it’s a short orientation meeting where we’ll run through the plans for the upcoming week. After lunch we will head out on an hour’s cruise of this beautiful Alpine Lake, fed by glacial waters and you will also have time to explore the quaint old town.
Day 2
LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Relais Etape in Culoz
Today we’ll witness the thrill of a mountain stage ! In the morning we will drive to the base of the mighty Col du Grand Colombier, a beast of a climb that last featured in 2020. There is a buzz and excitement as the organisation, media and fans all roll into town and your guide is good friends with Phil Liggett so hopefully he will have time to say hello, pre commentary! Today we will be in the Relais etape, situated at the foot of the climb. This exclusive area offers a 3 course meal, a free bar, live coverage and commentary, plus entertainment! Even better news is they LOVE Thomson Spectators and spoil us rotten. The premium roadside location will offer amazing opportunities to get some great stress free shots of the riders as they pass by on their way to their gruelling finish. Back to the live coverage to see who conquers this legendary climb! As it’s too steep to allow large vehicles, the riders will descend to their team coaches after the race, which are situated nearby.
Day 3
LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Annemasse and mid view
As an Official Tour Operator, we have secured a visit of 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 (Covid allowing) it’s onto our favourite – the paddock 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. As our guide lives in the Alps she will also find an amazing spot where you can watch the race pass by later on in their journey, before they tackle the last brutal climb! A double whammy day!
Day 4
Day 5
Stage 12
Roanne > Belleville-en-Beaujolais
The formation of the breakaway will be one of the critical moments on this hilly stage. As the race passes through the vineyards that produce the Beaujolais vintages, there could well be a lot of action before the climbs of the Croix Montmain and Croix Rosier. The uphill finale may well produce an excellent sprint contest between a small group of riders.
Stage 13
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne > Grand Colombier
The dynamic format of this stage, which takes place entirely in the Ain, will leave little room for doubt. The riders’ legs will certainly have to be sharpened on the climb to the Hauteville-Lompnes plateau, because a major challenge awaits the Tour’s favourites leaving Culoz: they’ll have to put all of their cards on the table for the ascent of the “Bugey pyramid”, which extends for 17.4km at an average gradient of 7.1%.
Stage 14
Annemasse > Morzine
It’s unlikely that the riders will enjoy the view of Lake Geneva at the start of the stage, as the 4,200 metres of climbing will be on everyone’s mind, and especially the climbs of the Ramaz and Joux Plane passes. Everyone will also be aware that they’ll need to show some real skill on the descent into Morzine in order to claim victory.
Stage 15
Les Gets > St Gervais Mont Blanc
At the end of a demanding weekend, the stage is set for a crucial battle between the contenders. This particularly undulating route through Haute-Savoie will take the riders over the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin, then to the Croix Fry and the Aravis passes. The most impactful blows will probably be delivered on the final climb to Le Bettex in the Amerands climb, where some sections touch 17% gradient.
Stage
Rest Day: St Gervais Mont Blanc
Tour de France
Login to view full itinerary
To access full trip itinerary you must sign in to your profile
Sign up to view full itinerary
By creating a profile you will be able to access full trip itineraries.
Don't have a profile?
Have a profile?
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||||||
July 13 to 17 |
Sold Out |
Waiting List |
USD $3,695
|
USD $800 |
Waiting list | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS
 TOUR DE FRANCE VIEWING
TRANSPORTATION
SUPPORT
MERCHANDISING
OTHER ACTIVITIES
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS
TOUR DE FRANCE VIEWING
TRANSPORTATION
SUPPORT
MERCHANDISING
OTHER ACTIVITIES
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
10:00 |
OR |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express |
10:15 |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
09:30 |
Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Mini Alps
Dreaming with your eyes wide open!
