Grand Tour France 2022 - Swiss Edition
7 Jul 2022 - 11 Jul 2022
The world's premier bike race has been announced and to say we are excited is an understatement - The Grand Boucle is coming through our home town! And we can't wait to show you why this part of Europe, right next door to the French Alps, can offer so many cycling routes for all levels of cyclists.
It is true that Switzerland is dominated by mountains but Switzerland also offers a range of routes that encompass flat and hilly terrain. This tour will take you on portions of France's grand tour as well as the opportunity to test yourself on Stage 9 where you can ride part of the route or accept the challenge and Ride Every Kilometre.
We'll also guide you along the magnificent UNESCO Heritage Lavaux vineyards, into mountain villages and along Lac Leman as well as a swim in the crystal clear waters. A visit to UCI headquarters in Aigle is a must and of course a night in our home town of Villars-sur-Ollon in the newly renovated Villars Palace.
Cycling in Swiss scenery, style, order and cleanliness with the excitement of the world's premier race events... and some luxury! Plus family and friends are not forgotten - we have a multitude of options for the non cyclist.
What more could you want?
Total price: On Request
- Watch the world's best cyclists fight for the yellow jersey
- Expert planning and support from our team (guides, mechanics, drivers)
- Maximum group size: 14 (with 2 guides)
- Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra or equivalent) available
- Stage 8 - premium position to watch the arrival of the pros in Lausanne
- Discover a few of Switzerland's amazing cycle routes
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Day 1 - Thursday 7 July
Bienvenue en Suisse
40km / 340m
Lausanne HotelStage 6 of the Grand Boucle and already the riders are heading our way. We’ll collect you from Geneva airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lausanne on the shores of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). After lunch, we’ll head out for an easy refreshing ride along the lake to ancient Saint-Prex and some rolling countryside with magnificent views across the lake to Mont Blanc and the Alps.
At dinner we will outline the plan of attack for the next few days.
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Day 2 - Friday 8 July
Aigle - Chatel Les Portes du Soleil - Aigle
Up to 183km / 3,330m
Lausanne HotelWe are offering you the opportunity to ‘Ride Every Kilometre’ of Stage 9 today - but if you are not up for a huge REK, the GTP van is always nearby to support you. We’ll start early and take a Swiss train to Aigle and start our ride from there. First stop Montreux as in the Montreux Jazz Festival (1 -16 July!) then heading up to Chatel-Saint-Denis and to Bulle. Then our local training ground - Les Mosses, Les Diablerets, Col de la Croix, Villars (home!) and back to Aigle before heading up the final climb to Chatel in France. Bravo!
Thankfully it's an easy ride back to the UCI in Aigle to watch the Stage 7 finish at La Super Planche des Belles Filles (also the grand finish of the women’s race on 31 July 2022!).
We’ll transfer you back to the hotel in Lausanne.
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Day 3 - Saturday 9 July
Immersion Day Lausanne - Château de Chillon - Lausanne
30km / 30m or 65km / 300m
Lausanne HotelAfter yesterday, you deserve an easy ride along the shores of Lac Leman and the UNESCO protected and stunningly beautiful vineyards of Lavaux. Nothing too strenuous, a chance to do some wine tasting and then through Vevey (HQ Nestle) to ancient Château de Chillon, an iconic and ancient castle on the waters of Lac Leman with Dent du Midi as a backdrop. Make sure to pack your swimming kit!
An easy 30 km to the chateau - you can return by other routes or relax by the lake, perhaps paddleboard to Chateau de Chillon, and then return by train to Lausanne in time to watch the pros arrive at the Stage 8 finish in Lausanne.
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Day 4 - Sunday 10 July
Aigle - Bex - Gryon - Col de la Croix - Villars
40km / 1,420m
Villars Palace HotelPack up your packs as we will stay in Villars tonight.
We can ride or transfer to Aigle to watch the start of Stage 9 - you rode this stage 2 days ago! And then we depart for Bex and a steep ride through the vineyards to old Gryon.
We’ll shortcut through the backroads to Col de la Croix, for a picnic and in time to watch the racers ride up from Les Diablerets before they head down to Villars, Aigle and on to Chatel in France. We will then enjoy a descent to Villars and head to the newly renovated Villars Palace for a little luxury.
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Day 5 - Monday 11 July
Rest Day - Options Day
Today we have a number of options.
Option 1: We can offer an extra riding day of the Sanetsch Pass or the Loop and stay an extra night at the Villars Palace. You will depart Tuesday 12 July - someone from Grand Tours Project will be there to assist you and transfer you to the train station or airport.
Option 2: You are committed to depart as you are joining us for Week 2 of the race. We will transfer you to Morzine to join the other guests.
Option 3: Sadly, you leave us to continue your journey or return home. We hope that you had a great time and will visit us again to find more of our home routes.
PS Montreux Jazz Festival finishes 16 July so you can extend your stay to enjoy some shows too.
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With international travel regulations causing continued uncertainty, we have made it our priority to implement COVID-19 hygiene procedures to ensure you a safe and worry-free holiday. Here's what you can expect when you choose to travel with Grand Tours Project.
Hygiene Consideration on your trip:
- Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and located in convenient areas to ensure the possibility of regular disinfecting and washing of hands.
- All guests and staff will be provided with face masks that must be worn where necessary. (for example in vehicles, where a distance of 1.5m can not be obtained between guests etc.)
- The disinfectant spray will also be readily available to be used to sanitise physical equipment such as surfaces, boxes, bottles etc.
- Staff will disinfect all vehicles daily on tour and bikes will continue to be cleaned daily.
- Staff will prepare and serve any food with gloves and face masks.
Pre, during and post-trip measures:
- All staff will be tested 24 hours before each tour departure.
- Guests must comply with government rules set by the host country (This may include quarantine upon arrival).
- Regular temperature checks will be taken by staff and guests throughout the trip.
- If a guest or member of staff displays symptoms of COVID-19 they will immediately be put into an isolation point and a medical test will be organised at the earliest convenience.
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