First Visit To See Le Tour De France

[Grave Maurice]

Hi, I'm new here as only a casual cyclist but a big fan of the tour (from my sofa).

However this year we are off to France and want to catch either stage 10 or 12 (or both) somewhere along the routes (in the middle of nowhere).

I have provisionally worked out a couple of spots to try to reach the stages mid-route by the roadside and wondered if anyone could clarify if it is possible to drive up to the route from some of the rural side roads.

I know the route itself is closed to vehicles many hours in advance ahead of the festivities and the cyclists however are the side rural side roads only closed off at the junctions where they meet the actual route such as the D766 (stage 10) or D30 (stage 12) or are they too closed off some distance away.

I hope someone can clarify and help me with my planning. Wish us luck!

Thanks.

 

[Herzog]

Side roads are not normally closed and you should be able to drive right up to the route.

 

[Grave Maurice]

Excellent! Thanks. Hopefully we'll get to see everything.

 

[cd365]

I will be seeing stages 10, 11 and 12.
One finish in St Malo, one time trial probably see that in Ducey (tight roads), and the start from Fougeres

 

[Helenoutlaw]

Going to see 11 and 12 too

 

[ivybank]

Are any of you camping? We were lucky enough to have someone guide us in our camper to a field where we saw the Paris-Roubaix. Trying to get to see the Tour under our own steam I need to find a campsite within 2 or 3 miles of the route as we have a wimpy cyclist with us. I've been looking at 11 and found two possibles - one at Meslay du Maine which doesn't answer my emails and one at Membrolle sur Choisille which is permanently closed.

 

[cd365]

Sorry no, I have a house near Fougeres

 

[Joffey]

I'm going to 10 & 11 - booked into a crappy hotel in St Malo. We are gonna cycle about to find somewhere to watch. Can't wait!!

 

[oldfatfool]

Just because the junction is in the middle of nowhere, still expect to find a few dozen French campervans to be there if not the night before, then at sparrow fart.
I thought I would be alone picking a spot in the middle of a stage absolutely miles from anywhere at a V in the road..........

 

[jifdave]

going to 10 and 11 i think, staying in pontorson and cycling to mont st michel or close as possible to watch end of tt

 

[Joffey]

We should all meet up in a local tavern

 

[jifdave]

Im staying at A roughly.. the TT. Ends at B

 

[cd365]

I drove through Pontorson a couple of weeks ago, a very pretty town

 

[ivybank]

Thanks for the replies. Still working on finding somewhere........................

 

[thedrew85]

Just seen this thread, I too am off to see stages 10,11 and 12. I'm camping near Combourg, http://www.domainedulogis.com/content/fr/accueil/1/ .
Can't wait to soak up the atmosphere and experience le Tour from French France!!
Think my plan is to see the finish in Saint Malo, catch the TT and depending on who finishes first (Cav...) I will either aim for the finish of stage 12 or somewhere in the middle