How to plan your Tour de France-themed holiday this summer
As well as offering the opportunity to get involved in the excitement of this iconic event, most of the places the Tour goes through offer incredible scenery and make for amazing holiday destinations, with lots of opportunity for fun-filled family activities and to enjoy everything that France has to offer.
So where will this year’s Tour take us?
From the Basque Country to Bayonne
The 2023 ‘Grand Départ’ is from Bilbao in the Spanish Basque Country on 2 July. On Day 2, the race is from Vitoria-Gasteiz to stunning seaside San Sébastien, a great base for a short summer break.
The following day, the cyclists cross the border, headed for Bayonne, sister town to beautiful beach resorts Biarritz and Anglet and a lovely town in its own right – famous for its ham and its chocolate. Cycle paths join the three towns, which are easily accessible from Biarritz Airport.
Through the Pyrenees
A flat stage departing from the spa town of Dax is a prelude to two Pyrenees mountain stages – the place to stay if you like hiking at altitude and incredible mountain views. There are several mountain resorts with great activities and attractions. For example, Bagnères-de-Luchon is a charming spa town nicknamed “the queen of the Pyrenees”. It has a ski resort, Superbagnères, which like all ski resorts, becomes a base for hiking, mountain biking and wildlife when the weather is fine. A beautiful looped walking trail, starting from the Hospice de France, passes high altitude lakes with fabulous views of the Maladeta massif, and crosses over into Spain, before returning to the starting point. There are also lovely villages to visit, like the pretty, typically Pyrenean villages of Arreau or Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Aure valley.
From Bordeaux to Auvergne
The 2023 Tour de France route then heads North along the Atlantic coast to Bordeaux, vibrant city and gateway to the world’s best-known winelands, with many vineyards and villages to visit. From there, the race heads inland to Limoges. Then the race will take us through the majestic chain of around 80 volcanoes around Puy de Dôme (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Walkers – stick around for a few days of hiking here; and families – don’t miss Vulcania, a theme park dedicated to volcanoes and earthquakes. From there, the race continues to Clermont-Ferrand, with its unusual black Gothic-style cathedral. North of the city, you’ll find Vichy, the quintessential city of wellbeing and relaxation, with its mineral springs and thermal spa. And to the south, the Allier Gorges, where a tourist train will take you through beautiful areas, inaccessible to cars.
Through the Alps
Now the Tour makes its way east, towards some of the most iconic Alpine climbs and scenes, really getting down to business for the week of Bastille Day (14 – 21 July).In the mountains, the stages take longer to go by and it’s easier to spot your favourite riders, as the cyclists ride in small groups, in pairs or even alone at the end of the climbs. Remember that you need to be on the side of the road early if you want to fully enjoy the show though.
The second of the Alpine stages (and the 14th stage overall) ends in the resort of Morzine. Get here a few days early to explore a world of possibilities: cycling, of course (Morzine has been one of the Tour de France’s hotspots since its inception), horse riding, fitness trails, climbing, fishing: there is no shortage of opportunities for family activities. The next few days are all about Mont Blanc, with a rest day and an individual time trial happening around St-Gervais Mont-Blanc, village at the foot of this mythical mountain. Mountain runners will want to try their hand at the famous Montée du Nid d’Aigle, an incredible 20km mountain run to the point where climbers start the ascent of Mont Blanc. But you could just take the wonderful tram up, either! The highest cogwheel train in France takes you through beautiful scenery to breath-taking views of Western Europe’s highest peak and the Bionnassay glacier.
As if Morzine and Mont Blanc weren’t impressive enough, the next stage takes us to the “Ski Capital of the World” – or at least that’s how Courchevel, arrival town of stage 17th, describes itself! And, like the other big resorts in the Alps and the Pyrenees, it knows how to treat visitors in the summer too, with hikes, walks, guided heritage tours and fishing trips.
The Jura & the Vosges
Coming down from the Alps, the race heads towards the Jura, arriving at Bourg-en-Bresse, to depart the following morning on the penultimate stage from Belfort. If you’re a nature lover or a hiker, you could do worse than combine watching this exciting stage with a stay in the Jura, just south. Don’t miss the incredible Cascades du Hérisson, in the Jura mountains. There are several viewpoints along a walking trail to admire this natural wonder. The fabulous Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park will also keep you enthralled for a few days. You might spot a capercaillie: an amazing gallinaceous bird, which has become the emblem of this spectacular area. And you’ll surely hike the trail from the Pic de l’Aigle to the Belvédère des 4 lacs. The end point offers a magnificent view of the Narlay, Ilay, Petit and Grand Maclu lakes. In terms of heritage, go to Salins-les-Bains: the Grande Saline, a UNESCO World Heritage site, recounts 1,200 years of salt production in the region.
The penultimate stage ends where the women’s Tour finished last year, at Le Markstein, a Vosges mountain resort over 1000m high, with hiking and bike paths, horse-riding, fishing, and other activities and family facilities. The grand finish takes place as usual on the Champs Elysées in Paris on 23 July. (Did you know that, in 2024, the race will finish somewhere else for the first time in its history? It’s set to end on the fabulous French Riviera next year…. and might we suggest that it’s not a bad place to plan a holiday!!)
Paris
And, well, this is a stage starting and finishing in the centre of Paris, so there’s everything in the wonderful city of Paris to see! As well as taking in the excitement of the race on the Champs Elysées, you’ll be able to climb the Arc de Triomphe, marvel at the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero, eat ice-creams on Île de Saint Louis, visit Notre Dame on Île de la Cité, wander the steep, narrow streets of Montmartre, picnic in the Jardin de Luxembourg or Tuilerie Gardens, visit the museums… and return to the calm of your campsite in the evenings, exhausted !
This a good guide to the neighbourhoods, parks and gardens, and other attractions of the French capital.
And if you’re staying around for a few days, you’ll have time to get outside the city too. The big-ticket item outside the city is Disneyland Paris. If you have kids with you on this TDF2023 adventure, you’re probably going to have to include a day trip to the most famous fun park of them all! For some insider tips, have a look at our guide to planning a camping holiday around a visit to Disneyland Paris.
Another great place to visit outside Paris for some open-air time is the fabulous Forêt de Fontainebleau, the second-largest forest in France. Bordered by three rivers, this forest park offers loads of parkland to explore and numerous activities : there are 150 kms of walks on sentiers bleus, as well as about 200 rock-climbing routes for all levels of climbers, and the château of Fontainebleau to visit.
Speaking of castles, the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte is well worth a trip. It has one of the best examples of a 17th century French formal garden – indeed it served as inspiration for Versailles. There are children’s games in the gardens and on certain days there are water shows in the fountains (check days and times when booking your visit). The château is fully furnished and there is a carriage museum in the grounds too. And of course, you could plan a visit to the infamous Château de Versailles itself!
Follow in the ‘footsteps’ of your cycling heroes
You may be planning on taking on the cols of the Tour de France on your road bike and bagging a KOM or QOM. But if you’d like to make a family cycling holiday out of it, there are thousands of miles of dedicated cycle routes throughout France, where you and the kids can enjoy a safe and serene day on your bikes. Check out France Velo Tourisme for information on greenways and other cycle paths all over France. Remember to bring sunblock, fill up your water bottles, pack more energy bars, dried fruit and jellies than you think you’ll need and pump up your tyres before you go, to make life easier on the road!
Step back in time with visits to local towns, villages or châteaux
France is full of history, so make sure to do some day trips to step back in time. You’re never too far from a quaint hillside village, a historic town, or a château in France, so you could plan your ride (or other day trip) around visiting the nearest one to your campsite. Not only do you all get some exercise, you’ll learn some history and notice some different architecture too. If not just any sight will do, France is full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so you’ll never have to travel far to find one of those.
Go wild swimming instead of pool swimming
Build sandcastles, paddle, picnic and treat yourselves to ice-creams – even if you don’t want your holiday to be just this, don’t forget to create classic summer holiday memories with at least one planned day together on the beach. Or if you’re not going to make the first few coastal stages, think about the wonderful lakes and rivers in the mountains. Ask locally about the best little hidden spots to enjoy a picnic and a dip.
Stretch your legs and try out the local cuisine
Never more than a short journey away from your campsite, an adventurous hike along way-marked trails in a regional park is a great day out and will whet your appetite for a big dinner. Whether its the gastronomic treats of San Sebastian, the foie gras of the southwest or the wonderful cheeses and meats of the Alps, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try some typical French foods in the areas that are famous for making them.
Have we convinced you to plan your 2023 summer holiday around supporting the Tour de France?
Kick things off by finding your chalet, mobile home or pitch, at one of the great campsites on the route, all listed above.
