Like yearly, July is all about biking. What in case you took benefit of this time to plan actions and issues to see alongside the Tour de France 2022 phases?
New: in 2022, there may even be a girls’s model of this epic stage race. Learn all our solutions for actions on the ladies’s Tour de France!
The lads’s model shall be held for the 109th time in 2022, and all the data is accessible on the official Tour de France web site. As yearly, the efforts of the world’s finest riders are seen by way of phases rigorously chosen by the organisers, for his or her sporting curiosity but additionally for his or her beautiful photogenic qualities, heritage and landscapes.
That is the entire record of the Tour de France 2022 phases:
- 1 July: 1st stage: Copenhagen – Copenhagen
- 2 July: 2nd stage: Roskilde (Denmark) – Nyborg (Denmark)
- 3 July: 3rd stage: Vejle (Denmark) – Sönderborg (Denmark)
- 4 July: switch
- 5 July: 4th stage: Dunkerque – Calais
- 6 July: 5th stage: Lille Métropole – Arenberg Porte du Hainaut
- 7 July: 6th stage: Binche (Belgium) – Longwy
- 8 July: 7th stage: Tomblaine – La tremendous Planche des Belles Filles
- 9 July: 8th stage: Dole – Lausanne (Switzerland)
- 10 July: 9th stage: Aigle (Switzerland) – Châtel
- 11 July: relaxation in Morzine
- 12 July: 10th stage: Morzine – Megève
- 13 July: 11th stage: Albertville – Col du Granon
- 14 July: 12th stage: Briançon – Alpe d’Huez
- 15 July: 13th stage: Bourg d’Oisans – Saint-Etienne
- 16 July: 14th stage: Saint-Etienne – Mende
- 17 July: 15th stage: Rodez – Carcassonne
- 18 July: relaxation in Carcassonne
- 19 July: 16th stage: Carcassonne – Foix
- 20 July: 17th stage: Saint-Gaudens – Peyragudes
- 21 July: 18th stage: Lourdes – Hautacam
- 22 July: 19th stage: Castelnau-Magnoac – Cahors
- 23 July: 20th stage: Lacapelle-Marival – Rocamadour
- 24 July: 21st stage: Paris La Défense Area – Paris Champs-Elysées
Simply studying this record makes us excited! It places photographs in our heads, giving us a psychological change of surroundings. So many stunning locations to find alongside these 3,328 kms…
It’s unattainable to be exhaustive with an space this large, so we’ve chosen the phases we expect are the perfect to plan an open-air vacation round, due to the wonderful alternative of campsites and the issues to see and do close by.
Try the total record of campsites close to Tour de France 2022 on our devoted web page (there are greater than 100), and discover out about our high stage picks under.
What to see and do on stage 7 of the Tour de France 2022
After a begin in Denmark and a passage by way of Belgium and the North of France, the Tour de France 2022 travels by way of the East of France. The 7th stage begins in Tomblaine, within the suburbs of Nancy, in Meurthe-et-Moselle: a chance to find this stunning metropolis and particularly its Place Stanislas, generally described as “essentially the most stunning sq. in Europe”.
On the best way to the Planche des Belles Filles, the primary end for the climbers, a number of heritage websites deserve a go to:
- the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port;
- the Château de Fléville, typical of the early French Renaissance;
- the spectacular Château et Parc de Lunéville, whose courtyard and Parc des Bosquets are open to the general public.
The race may even go by way of two cities that you shouldn’t miss: Toul, with its magnificent cathedral and its scrumptious Côtes de Toul, to be tasted (sparsely!) on the stage end, and the medieval village of Liverdun.
A visit to the Grand-Est area, wealthy in forests and preserved pure areas, can also be a chance to discover the Vosges by way of stunning mountaineering trails. Kids, who generally discover it tough to attend a number of hours in conjunction with the highway whereas ready for the cyclists, will have the ability to let off steam on the Acro-sphere park, on the end in Gérardmer. You may chill out with your loved ones on the Gérardmer lake, the most important pure lake within the Vosges space.
What to see and do on stage 8 of the Tour de France 2022
The Grand-Est is as soon as once more within the highlight throughout this 8th stage of the Tour de France, with a begin within the fairly city of Dôle within the Jura. Lausanne, in Switzerland, the scene of the day’s end, can also be value spending just a few hours in, exploring its medieval centre and wandering the stunning shores of Lake Geneva. However essentially the most attention-grabbing locations to go to on this stage are proper in the course of nature.
Begin with the unmissable: the Cascades du Hérisson, within the Jura mountains. There are a number of viewpoints alongside a strolling path the place you may admire this pure surprise. The Saut Girard, essentially the most well-known (and most frequented) level of this unimaginable place, gives 3 accesses, together with one appropriate for much less cell individuals.
Mountaineering fanatics shouldn’t miss the fabulous Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. You may spot a capercaillie: a tremendous gallinaceous chook, which has turn into the logo of this spectacular space. Additionally hike the path from the Pic de l’Aigle to the Belvédère des 4 lacs. The tip level gives an impressive view of the Narlay, Ilay, Petit and Grand Maclu lakes.
By way of heritage, and for a lunch break for instance, go to Salins-les-Bains: the Grande Saline, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, recounts 1,200 years of salt manufacturing within the area.
What to see and do on stage 10 of the Tour de France 2022
After just a few first climbs within the first week of the race, the Tour de France actually will get all the way down to enterprise from stage 10: we’re within the Alps!
Within the mountains, the phases take longer to go by and it’s simpler to identify your favorite riders, because the cyclists journey in small teams, in pairs and even alone on the finish of the climbs. So, plan to be on the aspect of the highway early if you wish to totally benefit from the present.
Just like the cyclists, you should have had a relaxation day the day earlier than: discover all the probabilities provided by the Alpine resort of Morzine, the beginning city for this 10th stage. Biking (as Morzine has been one of many Tour de France’s hotspots since its inception), horse driving, health trails, climbing, fishing: there isn’t any scarcity of alternatives for household actions.
Morzine is sort of completely different from the extra formal, even fancy, Megève, the place the riders arrive on the finish of the day. Positioned within the coronary heart of the Mont Blanc massif, Megève will assist you to go window-shopping, a quite uncommon and authentic exercise on the Tour de France route.
Lastly, even in case you have already had a glimpse of its shores through the end in Lausanne, this tenth stage is all about Lake Geneva. Uncover the French aspect this time, by way of the nice city of Thonon-les-Bains and the village of Evian-les-Bains. Each are famend wellness locations, so plan to take benefit! Even in case you’re not working fairly as exhausting because the racers, the times are nonetheless busy on holidays. A visit to the thermal spas or a superb therapeutic massage can’t damage, proper?
What to see and do on stage 11 of the Tour de France 2022
Alps and climbs once more for this 11th stage, which takes the riders from Albertville to the Granon Serre-Chevalier go.
Albertville is finest identified at this time for having been the host metropolis of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless it additionally has a significant historic heritage with the medieval city of Conflans. On its rock, this fortified enclosure, which protected the doorway to the Tarentaise valley, is filled with architectural treasures.
Nonetheless on the heritage aspect, be sure that to go to Aix-les-Bains on the banks of Lake Bourget. The “Riviera of the Alps” gives you wellness and rest actions, but additionally household actions. Upstream, one other lake, Annecy, additionally awaits you. The city of Annecy itself is just a little jewel. It’s recurrently on the rostrum within the rankings of finest cities to dwell in. You’ll shortly perceive why, with its peaceable environment and spectacular views over the lake.
The “Ski Capital of the World”: that is how Courchevel describes itself. However, like its counterparts within the Alps and the Pyrenees, it is aware of methods to deal with guests in the summertime too, with hikes, walks, guided heritage excursions and fishing journeys.
The Vanoise Nationwide Park is among the finest locations to go to within the Alps and gives a mess of hikes for all ranges. You too can study in regards to the safety of the fauna and flora by way of quite a few conferences, exhibitions, and many others.
What to see and do on stage 12 of the Tour de France 2022
This 12th stage has all of the options of a fantastic traditional, even a “queen stage”: Briançon-Alpe d’Huez. Earlier than reaching the legendary 21 bends that result in the highest of the Alpe d’Huez resort (bends that you’ll have to take VERY early if you wish to watch the good battle that the perfect climbers of this 2022 race will wage), go to the Vauban city of Briançon. Right here, it’s effectively value forking out on a guided tour, to completely respect historical past, picturesque streets and atypical structure of this fortified metropolis.
Nonetheless, it’s as soon as once more nature that shall be within the highlight throughout this 12th stage. What may very well be extra regular when you’re within the coronary heart of the Serre-Chevalier valley or the Ecrins Nationwide Park?
Within the Serre-Chevalier valley, it is possible for you to to go to the Serre-Chevalier Bike Park for a mountain bike session, or just for some good mountain walks. In case you’re stuffed with vitality, there are by way of ferrata routes which are a novel expertise. Lastly, to recharge your batteries, a go to to the Grands Bains du Monétier is a should. The advantages of its waters have been recognised since Roman occasions and the 4th century!
Within the Ecrins Nationwide Park, you’ll in fact have the ability to hike to your coronary heart’s content material, but additionally uncover exhibitions on glaciers or rent a information to find the flora of the park.
All in all, a stage that can most likely be stuffed with feelings and twists and activates the race aspect, but additionally stuffed with alternatives on the tourism aspect!
What to see and do on stage 13 of the Tour de France 2022
The riders go away the Alps from Bourg d’Oisans, one other “traditional” of the Tour de France, to search out extra city terrain, with an arrival within the Loire, in Saint-Etienne.
To not be missed, at the beginning, within the Hautes-Alpes: the commune of La Grave, and extra exactly, its ski space… which isn’t a ski space! It’s in truth a completely off-piste sector, sought out in winter by free-riders and powder junkies from all world wide. Even in summer season, you need to use the lifts to rise up to the glacier for mountaineering, mountaineering, mountain-biking, or just to benefit from the views from the summit of the Meije. Completely spectacular!
Much less sporty, the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat between the Rhône and the Loire, was one of many very first parks to obtain the label of “nationwide park” in France, within the Nineteen Seventies. Like all the opposite parks with the identical label, it welcomes hikers and nature lovers with open arms.
Much more tranquil, and even downright contemplative, make a non secular cease in Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez earlier than arriving in Saint-Etienne within the Loire, to style its chartreuse.
In any case these hikes and exquisite escapes into nature, you may fancy a return to townlife. Fortunately sufficient, subsequent cease is Saint-Etienne, which is a significant metropolis of design in France. Amongst different sights, it has a fantastic planetarium. At all times a fantastic success with youngsters… younger and outdated. As for Lyon, Saint-Etienne’s nice rival in soccer, it’s only about thirty kilometres away. It’s a assembly place for gourmets, with its well-known bouchons lyonnais, small eating places typical of the town. Probably not advisable for a professional bicycle owner in the course of a tricky race, however unmissable for a fan!
What to see and do on stage 14 of the Tour de France 2022
The peloton leaves Saint-Etienne and the centre of France to make its method south: on the night of this 14th stage, the riders will arrive in Mende, within the Lozère. A shortish stage for the riders, which the sprinters ought to take pleasure in, it reserves some nice actions and excursions for the holidaymakers.
The well-known pilgrimage and mountaineering path, Camino de Santiago, intersects with the Tour itinerary right here, by way of one in all its 4 routes, the By way of Podensis. It begins in Le Puy-en-Velay, which we strongly advocate you go to. Why not make the leap and hike just a few sections after you’ve waved the riders off? Possibly even all 32 phases and 755kms to Saint-Jean-Pied-du-Port…. and positive from there it’s solely one other 812 kms to Santiago! Don’t the Chemin de Saint-Jacques (as it’s known as in French) and the Tour de France share many similarities? Plenty of phases, a lot of bodily effort, a lot of stunning surroundings, the chance to reconnect with your self and nature and, on the finish, a hard-won reward, a Grail: the Champs Elysées for some, the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for others.
On the best way to Mende, you would additionally cease at Les Pradelles within the Haute-Loire: this magnificently preserved former stronghold is a part of the closed circle of the “Most Lovely Villages of France”. In Lozère, close to the tip of the day, the village of Sainte-Enimie deserves a go to additionally. It too is classed as one of many ” Most Lovely Villages of France “. Positioned on the Gorges du Tarn, it’s also a fantastic start line for mountaineering or canoeing alongside the Tarn River.
Lake Naussac, additionally in Lozère, is a reservoir which additionally gives a mess of water sports activities actions.
What to see and do on stage 15 of the Tour de France 2022
After a brief switch, the peloton of the Tour de France 2022 leaves Rodez, in Aveyron.
A brief cultural interlude: go to the excellent Soulages museum to find the works of the grasp of black and light-weight. A really stunning second… however maybe unlikely to be appreciated by younger youngsters. For them, head for the Ségala Animal Park in Aveyron. An amazing time out with the household to find and study in regards to the birds of prey, lynxes, bears and wolves current within the park. Then, why not spend a day at Cap’Découverte within the Tarn? This huge leisure park gives a alternative of free or paid actions, together with cycle paths and swimming at Sainte-Marie Lake: it’s a great way to entertain youngsters and youngsters for just a few hours.
This area has a very wealthy historic heritage. Carcassonne is one in all its jewels, however a lot of different cities and villages, some categorised among the many “Most Lovely Villages of France” some not, that are value a go to: Bozouls, located in a canyon, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, Lautrec, well-known for its pink garlic and for being the birthplace of the well-known painter Toulouse-Lautrec… whose museum is situated in Albi. The Sainte-Cécile cathedral there, each large and futuristic on the skin and really vibrant on the within, is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Another for the highway? Then head for Cordes-sur-Ciel, not removed from Albi. A medieval village which, as you will have guessed, can also be categorised as one of many “Most stunning villages in France”!
A tiring stage for you, most likely quieter for the riders, who could have a relaxation day the following day within the end city of the day, Carcassonne.
What to see and do on stage 16 of the Tour de France 2022
At this stage of the Tour de France 2022, you most likely have to take a breather just like the riders. Look within the distance: you may see the Pyrenees, with their steep and winding passes, on roads which are much less rolling than these of the Alps.
Reap the benefits of this day without work to discover one of many main websites of Occitania, the medieval metropolis of Carcassonne, the beginning of this sixteenth stage. In fact, you gained’t have sufficient time in in the future to find each nook of it. You’ll most likely wish to come again to benefit from the fairy-tale environment of knights and princesses once more.
You may anticipate a radical change of environment as everybody heads for Foix in Ariège, the day earlier than attacking the Pyrenean passes: course Mirepoix, to go to its fairly historic centre but additionally to entry one of many pretty Ariège greenways. Get in your bike and journey alongside the 38 kms of former railway monitor that hyperlink Mirepoix to Lavelanet.
We additionally recommend a hike to the Roquefort waterfall. This can be a actual pure curiosity, a tuffière: a waterfall manufactured from tuff, a kind of sentimental limestone. Beware: the location is protected due to the acute fragility of this rock; don’t stray from the marked paths.
In Foix, the place the winner of the stage shall be determined, you and the peloton shall be welcomed by the magnificent and imposing Gaston Phoebus Citadel on its promontory.
What to see and do on stage 17 of the Tour de France 2022
The Pyrenees, the final main hurdle of this Tour de France, kick in on this 17th stage, which takes the riders from Saint-Gaudens to Peyragudes.
On this stage, as on the Alpine phases, it’s the mountain resorts that maintain essentially the most actions and sights.
Let’s go to Luchon for instance, or Bagnères-de-Luchon to be exact, to get off to a delicate begin in an enthralling spa city with old style appeal. Nicknamed “the queen of the Pyrenees”, Luchon has a ski resort, Superbagnères, which like all ski resorts, turns into a base for mountaineering, mountain biking and wildlife when the climate is ok.
A wonderful looped strolling path, ranging from the Hospice de France, passes excessive altitude lakes with fabulous views of the Maladeta massif, and crosses over into Spain, earlier than returning to the start line.
If you wish to have one thing to eat through the day or after arriving in Peyragudes, take into account the beautiful, sometimes Pyrenean village of Arreau, within the Aure valley. Or, 1 / 4 of an hour away, the village of Saint-Lary-Soulan, additionally situated within the valley, which gives a extra sporting and dynamic environment: its skating rink is all the time an enormous hit with children.
What to see and do on stage 18 of the Tour de France 2022
Your legs could also be heavy, however in case you’re a Tour de France rider, you continue to must climb to the highest of Hautacam, after a begin in Lourdes, for this 18th stage.
Lourdes, in case you don’t realize it but, will definitely shock you. Completely centered on its sanctuary, each mystical and full of memento retailers of various levels of high quality, it’s also a fairly cosmopolitan city! Catholics from everywhere in the world proceed to go there to adore the Virgin Mary and the girl to whom she appeared, Bernadette Soubirou, with fervour. In case you’re within the non secular websites, you need to observe that the Massabielle cave, the scene of the apparition, is situated in a unique place to the sanctuary.
To get some contemporary air after tasting the massive crowds typically current in Lourdes in excessive season, there’s nothing like a brief bike journey on the “voie verte des 2 gaves“. This former railway line, which has been transformed into a very easy journey, gives stunning views of the encircling mountains. Afterwards, you may take a dip within the lake of Lourdes, simply outdoors the city, which additionally gives water sports activities actions.
Lastly, make a go to to the Pyrenees animal park. Along with the traditional animal discoveries (120 species together with wolves, bears, marmots and different birds of prey), it gives you a novel expertise: spend the day within the sneakers of a park keeper, with a view to higher perceive their job. Reservations are required!
What to see and do on stage 19 of the Tour de France 2022
The 2022 Tour de France leaves the Pyrenees for the plains and a terrain extra beneficial to the daredevils and different sprinters. This (lengthy) 19th stage will take you thru quite a lot of landscapes and a number of other departments in Occitania: Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Lot. In every of them, a wealthy and assorted heritage.
Within the Hautes-Pyrénées, the Puydarrieux lake is a synthetic lake created for remark of migratory birds. A devoted path lets you uncover the location whereas preserving the tranquillity of the fauna.
Within the Gers, there are a lot of stunning websites and villages to go to. We significantly advocate Lavardens with its stunning fortified fort which homes an artwork centre, in addition to La Romieu. Labeled as one of many “Most Lovely Villages in France”, the latter is constructed round an imposing collegiate church that may be seen for miles round. La Romieu has additionally given beginning to a fantastic legend. We gained’t let you know extra about it, besides that the village has since been nicknamed “the village of cats”.
Lastly, within the Lot, Cahors awaits you on your lunch break. Don’t miss the image of the town, the Valentré bridge, nicknamed “the satan’s bridge”. Then, not removed from Cahors, uncover one other of the “Most Lovely Villages in France”: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a medieval surprise on its rocky outcrop.
What to see and do on stage 20 of the Tour de France 2022
The final stage of “our” Tour de France 2022 of actions and visits to do on the riders’ route, this 20th stage sees them race from Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour, each within the Occitania area.
The previous is a nice city within the foothills of the Massif Central. The arrival city, Rocamadour, is a significant vacationer web site in Occitania in addition to an necessary stage on the Pilgrim’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Its worldwide fame is effectively deserved: inbuilt successive ranges on the aspect of a cliff 120 metres above a canyon, it’s prone to go away you breathless. The shrine of the Black Madonna, Rocamadour stays a spot of pilgrimage for Catholics from everywhere in the world, who’ve been flocking there because the twelfth century. You may’t afford to not go to it, however you need to know that the location is all the time very busy, particularly through the excessive season.
Between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, we advocate 3 very completely different animal parks:
- the Gramat animal park: near Rocamadour, this park has 1 000 wild animals and 150 completely different species;
- La Forêt des singes: 150 Barbary macaques dwell freely on 20 hectares of forest and meadows; an distinctive setting and expertise!
- the Rocher des Aigles: nonetheless in Rocamadour, within the Causses du Quercy Regional Pure Park, this park is dwelling to birds of prey.
Lastly, to conclude this tour of Occitania and this Tour de France of actions, head for the well-known Padirac chasm for a dive into the bowels of the Earth! (Advance reserving is a should.)
So, are you satisfied? If that’s the case, earlier than planning all of your visits and actions, e book your pitch or cell dwelling at one of many campsites listed right here: campsites on the route of the Tour de France 2022.
OR, in case you’re not that bothered about watching the race however wish to tackle among the well-known cols which have featured in it through the years, try our different article on biking Tour de France phases on vacation!
