Tour de France

The route for 2017 is freely available. Just search for it on the Internet or use letour.com which is the tour's official site. I've never followed the tour except on TV but in a motorhome you'll be in very good company, just don't expect to roll up on the day and expect to get the best roadside 'pitch'. Overnight stopping on the route seems to be accepted by the authorities and like I said you'll be in good company. Enjoy the experience.

We've seen Le Tour many times, it's fantastic, the atmosphere is amazing with people from all over the world in the crowd.

We have a caravan, so we stay on a convenient site and walk to the route on the day. 

Motorhomers from all over Europe take up their spots on the roadside  as early as a week before the day of the stage, especially in the mountains. 

We're planning to see the race in the Pyrenees this time, should be good!

We have been over to follow the tour twice and in 2011 for the whole three weeks. Although details of the stages are available now we found it was much closer to July before we got enough info to plan our viewing. We were able to get a lot of more detailed info when in Franc.

We did  tried to vary things and watched a mix of stages but you do need to be prepared for a lot of waiting around because, as mentioned, there are a few others around and access to stages gets closed up to 24 hrs before.

We tried to pick spots where they will be going uphill, the saying  "in the blink of an eye", is very apt in flat stages.

Best stage as a spectator was the Team Time Trial-none in 2017-where there was a 90 degree bend so as they slowed and the took the bend you could get some great pictures. There were acres of free parking and  a great atmosphere.

The organisation is fantastic with clear signposting, free parking and even free transport from parking to stages sometimes.

We stayed at three sites and saw seven stages including Paris by TGV from the Loire Valley for the final stage and a Mark Cavendish win.

Some pics from 2011-who can you spot?

I'm guessing the first two are Jean and Bradley Wiggins! 

Thanks to those who've replied, its whetted the appetite even more.

we've got time to get the maps and  books out. interestingly its all caravaners who've replied, you can of course leave your van on site and take the car, i'm hoping to park up, on the climbs 24 hours or more before the arrival time to watch. 

First is Jean is when gradually joined by two little French girls feeling the heat! Two is Bradley but there is one other well known Brit in there.

A few more. Any clearer?

Mark Cavendish in Picture 4

Best advice I can give is... find the Dutch and take plenty of beer and BBQ supplies.