Private jet charter to the Tour de France
The most famous cycling grand tour in the world, the Tour de France, returns to the global stage this July. Charter a private jet to France and experience one of the world’s biggest cycling events live.
Tour de France
The Tour de France is a multiple-stage men’s bicycle race held each year, primarily in France. During the three-week tour, which covers approximately 3,500km, athletes cycle 225km of mixed terrain every day for 21 days. Since its inaugural race in 1903, which was used as a marketing ploy to drive L’Auto newspaper sales, the Tour de France has gained worldwide popularity as one of the most challenging sporting events in history.
During the world’s biggest cycling race, competitors must compete in a series of time trials passing through the Pyrénées, the Alps and central Paris, all before finishing on the Champs-Élysées where the winner is awarded the prestigious Tour de France medal and a cash prize of €500,000 (approximately £442,379) plus bonuses is awarded to top finishing positions in each stage.
Tour de France 2018: Stages
The Tour de France route and stages change each year. The first stage of the 2018 Tour de France commences on Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile, a small island off the Atlantic coast of France, before competitors cross a bridge to mainland France and begin tackling tougher terrain.
We’ve provided a breakdown of the dates, route and distances for each stage of the Tour de France 2018 route below:
| Date
| Route and distance
|
| Saturday, 7th July
| Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile – Fontenay-le-Comte (201km)
|
| Sunday, 8th July
| Mouilleron-Saint-Germain – La-Roche-sur-Yon (182.5km)
|
| Monday, 9th July
| Cholet – Cholet (35.5km)
|
| Tuesday, 10th July
| La Baule – Sarzeau (195km)
|
| Wednesday, 11th July
| Lorient – Quimper (204.5km)
|
| Thursday, 12th July
| Brest – Mûr-de-Bretagne (181km)
|
| Friday, 13th July
| Fougéres – Chartres (231km)
|
| Saturday, 14th July
| Dreux – Amiens (181km)
|
| Sunday, 15th July
| Arras – Roubaix (156.5km)
|
| Monday, 16th
| Rest day
|
| Tuesday, 17th July
| Le Grand-Bornand (158.5km)
|
| Wednesday, 18th July
| La Rosière (108.5km)
|
| Thursday, 19th July
| Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Alpe d’Huez (175.5km)
|
| Friday, 20th July
| Bourg d’Oisans – Valence (169.5km)
|
| Saturday, 21th July
| Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux – Mende (188km)
|
| Sunday, 22th July
| Millau – Carcassonne (181.5km)
|
| Monday, 23th July
| Rest day
|
| Tuesday, 24th July
| Carcassonne – Bagnères-de-Luchon (218km)
|
| Wednesday, 25th July
| Bagnères-de-Luchon – Col de Portet (65km)
|
| Thursday, 26th July
| Trie-sur-Baïse – Pau (171km)
|
| Friday, 27th July
| Lourdes – Laruns (200.5km)
|
| Saturday, 28th July
| Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle – Espelette (31km)
|
| Sunday, 29th July
| Houilles – Champs-Élysées (116km) |
Everything you need to know about the Tour de France
The 105th Tour de France begins on Saturday, 7th July, and includes eight flat stages, five hilly stages, six mountain stages (including three altitude finishes), one individual time trial, one team time-trial during stage three in Cholet (a feature which has not been present for the past three years) and two rest days. There are a total of 26 mountain climbs, 12 of which take place in the Alps, four in the Massif Central and 10 in the Pyrenees – an increase of three from 2017’s 23 mountain climbs. Additionally, during the ninth stage between Arras and Roubaix there will be a 1.7km cobbled road race which wasn’t included last year.
There are 176 confirmed riders taking part in the 2018 Tour de France, a number decided by the Union Cycliste Internationale (CLI). And unlike races of the past, the 2018 route stays almost entirely on French soil – apart from a 15km journey through Spain’s Carcassonne and Bagnères-de-Luchon during Stage 16.
Spectators can expect to see UK racing favourite and most recent winner Chris Froome at this year’s race. Froome is set to defend his title against top contenders Nairo Quintana, Richie Porte, Tom Dumoulin and Romain Bardet.
Tickets to the Tour de France 2018
Since the Tour de France takes place on public streets, you don't need tickets to enjoy it. However, we recommend getting there as early as possible, not only to get the best trackside spots, but to avoid any road closures the race could provoke. If you want to witness the action-packed final stretch, head to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, arriving in ultimate style with a private jet charter to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
For more information or to get a precise quote for your trip to the Tour de France, contact us and one of our specialists will recommend the best aircraft for your journey. One of our dedicated account managers will take care of every detail, allowing you to enjoy a tailor-made private jet charter.
