Now that the route has been set, I realize that we will be in the general area this year during the time that the Tour passes through the Loire Valley.

http://www.letour.fr/2005/presentati..._parcours.html

My questions:

1. Is it worth it to devote an entire day to attempting to get a spot by the side of the road to see the riders?

2. Are there any day trip tours that might cater to this sort of viewing?

Any other Tour thoughts are welcome.

Thank you!

Hi timjstark. It depends on how interested you are in the Tour de France? I personally absolutely love it and last year decided to motor part of the route before the actual race. Guess what... the actual roads are not published in time for anyone to organise hotels etc., so we only did a very very small section of the road of the Tour. If anyone knows how to get the specific route(every little road, every little village) I would love to know how.

Your best chance of seeing anything is to decide on which village you want to be in and at which stage. We where in the village of Mont-de-Marsan a few years ago just in time to find a parking place along the route. After they went through, which doesn't take too long, a few minutes at most, we had a nice leisurely lunch and moved on.

>> If anyone knows how to get the specific route(every little road, every little village) I would love to know how.<<

Around the first of June, the "Official Guide" hits the news stands in France. It has the route in detail - even roads they are on for only 10 meters or less. We've purchased it the last 3 years, and drove sections through the Pyrenees, Alps, Cevannes, etc. I've taken my wife's picture at the Col de Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden (where Lance fell), Col d'Aspin, Col de Galibier, Aubisque, de la Core, Mt Ventoux, and l'Aple de Huez (yep - she's a TdF junkie).

Stu Dudley

Thanks so far for the responses. Is this quest best to simply do on our own rather than enlist the aid of a touring company?

I have been to La Tour 4 times and we always follow the bikers around. Around mid May to June on the official website will be a map of the route and you can plan your following from there. It is great fun, and this year should be neck and neck because there is no clear leader.
I would not suggest a "tour group", you can easily do this on your own.