Has anyone traveled to France to follow the Tour de France?
Aug 2nd, 2001, 12:47 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, were you able to stay in the towns at the stage beginning or end, how crowded was it, how did you travel between the various locations, what was the general atmosphere, was there access to the riders and ceremonies, were there functions or activities before of after the various stages, and anything else you feel might be helpful. Thanks.
Aug 2nd, 2001, 05:49 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Okay, he said it was very crowded, particularly in the town of the stage finish. He stayed somewhere between the start and finish, intrecepting the tour a couple of times in stages in the flat land. In the mountains, you can only see them go by once because there are fewer roads, which are all crowded already days before. There are lots of activities before and after the stage and lots of people on their bikes. As I said, he cycled from stage to stage. Sorry, if I'm not more help.
Aug 2nd, 2001, 05:55 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Check out: <BR> <BR>http://www.travel-library.com/europe...ip-peters.html <BR> <BR>http://www.travel-library.com/europe...ip-peters.html <BR> <BR>Also, there is a long diary of a fan at this year's tour, but it's in German.
Aug 2nd, 2001, 07:36 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
We once unwittingly planned a trip that coincided with the route of the Tour de France - not a hotel room or restaurant meal to be had anywhere around (we finally found a room 80 miles away and 80 miles off ou vacation route). So, the first lesson is, if you plan to follow the Tour, book early. <BR>Last year, the TdeF came through the village in France where we have a vacation home. It was neither the beginning nor the end of the stage, but boy was there an uproar - people from evey commune around, plus tourists, packed our village an hour or two before the riders came through. It's a very exhilarating moment when they do! And the promotional cars that come through for an hour or so beforehand are very amusing, too - throwing out free sausages, cheeses, backpacks, CDs, hats, etc., to the crowd. I can't speak to what it's like at the end of a stage except to say that every hotel within miles will be booked, there will be hundreds of people from the press, and I doubt you'd have any access to the riders themselves without some special credentials. Can you see the race and enjoy it, though? Certainly. To travel with the team you'd have to be either behind them or in front of them - they have huge fleets of vehicles that precede and follow them, so you'd never get very close in a car.
Aug 2nd, 2002, 10:55 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Haven't followed the Tour, but did have the good fortune to be living (as part of a student exchange) in a town where a stage ended. Quite exciting, with the town turned into one large party that night. Lots and lots of support staff, all eager to have fun.
