L’Etape du Tour 2009

Pau – Le Col du Tourmalet 174 km, Sunday 18 July 2010

French Cycling Holidays are proud to be official agents for the world's premier cyclosportive, the Etape du Tour , in 2010 from Pau to the summit of the Col du Tourmalet, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Pyrénées inclusion in the Tour. The ascent of the fearsome Tourmalet will be the west – east route, considered the hardest by many, through the village of Bareges. On route the course goes over 2 other major ‘difficultés’ as the French so quaintly term them… First, the Marie-Blanque. At 1,035m it doesn’t appear so tough, but the last 4km at an average of 11%, with pitches of 14%, might make you wish you’d opted for a triple groupset! At 1,474m the Soulor is higher, but the gradient is more steady at 7% and with a good training programme should not pose too many problems. After a long drag up the valley from Argelès, the Tourmalet will be the real test – 19km from Luz-St-Sauveur with an average gradient of 8%, stretches of 10-11%.

Applause on the Col du Soulor

French Cycling Holidays have packages ranging from £575 to £695 plus entry only options at £190.

Our packages will be based in Lourdes which offers excellent access from overseas and which is in easy distance of both the start and more importantly the finish. All packages (excluding entry only of course) will include all breakfast and dinners, transport from Toulouse, Pau and Lourdes-Tarbes airports and Lourdes TGV station. (our recommended itineraries are Ryanair to Pau from London and Bristol or Manchester to Lourdes-Tarbes from London with BMI Baby.

Unusually this year, the Tour de France is going to be arriving in the region very shortly after the Etape. In addition to our 3 night package, we can arrange extra nights accommodation in Lourdes which is ideal for both the Aubisque and the Tourmalet, and can advise on onward transport options.

We will, as usual, be organising a bike transport service from our base in Watford for those flying who are wary about leaving their bikes to the tender mercies of the baggage handlers, and more importantly to ensure that your bike makes it to the start at all!

We will be staying at various hotels close together in Lourdes and prices are based on the hotel stayed at. Note : hotels may be subject to change but will be of a similar standards of comfort and facilities.

Course profile

All packages start 16th July (Friday). The following options are available.

Package A – Hotel Gallia et Londres SOLD OUT

Staying at the imposing 4* hotel Gallia et Londres in the heart of Lourdes, the hotel has air conditioning and wi-fi access.

Package A – Hotel Gallia et Londres (based on 2 sharing)
3 nights	£695 per person
Single supplement (limited availability)
3 nights	£155
Non-riding accompanyist
3 nights	£485

Package B – Hotel Panorama/Hotel Saint-Sauveur

Staying at these comfortable modern 3* hotels in the heart of Lourdes, the hotels have air conditioning and wi-fi access.

Package B – Hotel Panorama/Hotel Saint-Sauveur
3 nights	£635 per person
Single supplement (limited availability)
3 nights	£135
Non-riding accompanyist
3 nights	£445

Package C – Hotel Sainte-Rose SOLD OUT

The 3* Sainte Rose is a traditional hotel in the heart of Lourdes.

Package C – Hotel Sainte-Rose (based on 2 sharing)
3 nights	£575 per person
Single supplement (limited availability)
3 nights	£100
Non-riding accompanyist
3 nights	£385

All packages will benefit from our high levels of customer care and service, and from our experienced guides.

Entry only SOLD OUT

Entry only
Entry only:	~~£190 per person~~

REGISTRATION FORM

Etape Booking Form 2010

To secure a place, complete the form and e-mail to fch@frenchcyclingholidays.com or fax it to us on +44 (0)20 8357 8934 or ring us now on +44 (0)20 8861 5888.

French Cycling Holidays is happy to make entries for cyclists around the world.

Terms and conditions of L'Etape du Tour 2010 booking

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