Tour de France 2026 – Barcelona and French Pyrenees

Overview

Experience the passion and emotion of the Tour de France in the first week of the competition in the spectacular mountainous region of the French Pyrenees. Cycle each stage in the morning, and then cheer on the pros as they pass you on the very same climb. The sensation of cycling the same routes as the pros, the fun and excitement of being able to cheer on the riders on the hardest climbs or the most vertiginous descents, the opportunity to challenge yourself as you tackle the Tour’s most iconic climbs… not to mention the fabulous views of the race! Enjoy an experience filled with passion, emotion and sporting history in this Tour de France cycling tour, traveling through the spectacular French Pyrenees. During the course of our weeklong cycling adventure we will see various stages of the tour, and climb Tourmalet, Hautacam and Col d’Aubisque! Our small group sizes guarantee a flexible VIP experience with close proximity to the pro Tour teams. We hand-select top quality hotels to ensure a luxury experience, and our experienced guides are on hand to take care of your every need from the moment you arrive in Lourdes. Our guides have ridden these routes many times, and will lead you along the best backroads so that you can enjoy this sporting event without worrying about anything but the pleasure of pedaling and the experience of riding our top-of-the-range bikes. Day 1: Friday, 3rd July. Barcelona Route: 23.7 km/14.7 miles Elevation: +373 m/+1225 ft Accomodation: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Beach Meals included: Dinner Welcome to your Tour de France cycling tour! Arrival in Barcelona at leisure. Please consult with our Bike Spain Tours team if you need any assistance in getting to Barcelona. In the afternoon, we’ll have a welcome briefing and bike fitting at our hotel, before stretching our legs with a beautiful warm-up ride along the coast and up Montjuïc. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a first group dinner together at the hotel. Day 2: Saturday, 4th July. Barcelona Accomodation: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Beach Tour de France: Stage 1 – Barcelona > Barcelona Meals included: Breakfast Today, our Tour de France experience really begins! We’ll watch the nail-biting team time trial, which passes right by our hotel, before enjoying another fabulous bike ride around Barcelona. Day 3: Sunday, 5th July. Barcelona Route: 101.6 km/63.1 miles Elevation: +1682 m/+5519 ft Accomodation: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Beach Tour de France: Stage 2 – Tarragona > Barcelona Meals included: Breakfast In the morning, we’ll set off on a challenging loop ride through the scenic countryside surrounding Barcelona. Hugging the Mediterranean coast, we’ll glide past golden beaches and ocean views on our way through Castelldefels, before turning inland to tackle the rolling terrain and dramatic landscapes around Olesa de Bonesvalls. The route follows the final section of today’s Tour de France stage, giving us a taste of the pros’ effort on these very roads. We’ll return to Barcelona with adrenaline still pumping, just in time to cheer on the peloton as they storm into the city—finishing our ride in full Tour spirit. Day 4: Monday, 6th July. Lourdes Route: 81.9 km/50.9 miles Elevation: +1236m/+4054 ft Accomodation: Hotel Alba Tour de France: Stage 3 – Granollers > Les Angles Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner It’s time to head into the Pyrenees! In the morning, we’ll journey to the charming mountain village of Prats, perched high in the Spanish Pyrenees and surrounded by dramatic peaks. From here, our ride takes us across the border into France, tracing the same route that the pros will conquer later in the day. We’ll roll into Les Angles just in time to watch the peloton thunder toward the finish line, cheering them on as they sprint for glory at altitude. But the adventure doesn’t stop there. After the stage, we’ll hop back on our bikes and pedal through the fascinating Spanish enclave of Llívia—completely surrounded by French territory—before meeting our support van. From there, we’ll transfer to our next hotel, nestled in the beautiful mountain town of Lourdes, where alpine scenery and Tour de France history come together. Tonight, we’ll gather for a relaxed group dinner at the hotel. Day 5: Tuesday, 7th July. Lourdes Route: 103.4 km/64.3 miles Elevation: +2297 m/+5866 ft Accomodation: Hotel Alba Meals included: Breakfast Today’s ride features two legendary Tour de France giants: the Col du Soulor and the mighty Col d’Aubisque. We’ll tackle these iconic climbs along one of the most breathtaking mountain roads in the Pyrenees, surrounded by soaring peaks and dramatic landscapes that have tested champions for generations. After conquering the summits, we’ll enjoy a thrilling descent through a series of sweeping switchbacks, gliding past charming alpine villages tucked into the mountains. The route follows the sparkling waters of the Ousse River through the valley that shares its name, guiding us back toward Lourdes with unforgettable views at every turn. Day 6: Wednesday, 8th July. Lourdes Route: 104.2 km/64.7 miles Elevation: +2402m/+7879 ft Accomodation: Hotel Alba Meals included: Breakfast Today’s ride is a true Pyrenean classic: a loop from Lourdes to the legendary Col du Tourmalet. We’ll roll out gently through peaceful valleys and lush pastures, warming up as the road traces its way deeper into the mountains—until the silhouette of the Tourmalet rises ahead, announcing the challenge to come. The climb is steady, iconic, and beautifully scenic, weaving through alpine hamlets and past high-mountain farms before the final push to the summit, where a panorama of jagged peaks rewards every pedal stroke. From the top, we’ll take on a sweeping descent that feels like pure freedom, gliding from crisp mountain air down into softer landscapes as we circle back toward Lourdes. With every turn and every vista, you’ll understand why this road has defined Tour de France history and inspired riders from around the world. Day 7: Thursday, 9th July. Lourdes Route: 109.5 km/68 miles Elevation: +2180m/+7153 ft Accomodation: Hotel Alba Tour de France: Stage 6: Pau > Gavarnie-Gèdre Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Today’s ride leads us deep into the Pyrenees as we set out from Lourdes toward the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie. We’ll begin by rolling through gentle valley roads, passing verdant fields and rustic villages as the mountains slowly close in around us. The terrain becomes steadily more dramatic, the road tracing turquoise streams and climbing through high alpine scenery that feels straight out of a postcard. Our destination is Gavarnie, a breathtaking natural amphitheatre carved by glaciers and framed by towering peaks—today also serving as the electrifying finish of the Tour de France stage. We’ll arrive with time to take in the atmosphere, lining the barriers to cheer on the pros as they battle up to this stunning finale. It’s a ride that combines beauty, challenge, and the living history of the Tour in one unforgettable day. After the peloton has left, we’ll ride back to Lourdes and enjoy a final dinner together at our hotel. Day 8: Friday, July 10th (Departure day) Meals included: Breakfast After breakfast, our Tour de France cycling tour comes to an end. Please consult with our Bike Spain Tours team if you need assistance organising your onward travel from Lourdes. Arrival airport: Aeropuerto Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN). Direct flights to Barcelona are widely available from many international destinations. Departure airport: Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees Airport (LDE). Lourdes is connected with many destinations within France, as well as a number of other destinations within Europe. Alternatively, you can travel from Lourdes to Paris via high-speed train, or contact us about the possibility of travelling to Madrid with our guides in our van. Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Beach is a modern 4-star oasis just steps from the Mediterranean, blending contemporary style with relaxed seaside vibes. Its prime location near Barcelona’s beachfront promenade makes it the perfect base for enjoying the city’s coastal atmosphere, vibrant neighborhoods, and sunny outdoor lifestyle. Hotel Alba in Lourdes is a warm and elegant retreat, offering modern comfort in the heart of this historic pilgrimage town. Its tranquil atmosphere, beautiful terrace spaces, and easy access to the Sanctuary make it an ideal base for relaxing after a day of exploring the Pyrenees. Included: 7 nights accommodation at carefully-selected luxury hotels, All breakfasts and 3 dinners, Experienced, bilingual Bike Spain Tours guides to ensure superior customer service, Support vehicle to provide technical assistance, offer refreshments and snacks and give you a lift uphill as required, Bike routes on an easy to navigate app, a day-to-day itinerary plus hotel list and regional information, Gratuities for baggage, restaurants and hotel service, Bike Spain Tours handle bar bag, water bottle and bike jersey, Bike Spain Tours travel coordinator, available to assist with all of your pre and post-trip travel plans and arrangements, Travel insurance with medical assistance. Optional: Single supplement of 520 € Specialized Tarmac Carbon road Bike: The Tarmac Disc Sport SL7 is the perfect bike for high performance road cycling. With a state-of-the-art FACT 9r carbon fibre frame, a list of highly reliable components such as powerful... Electric Bike Specialized Vado Turbo SL: There’s no other e-bike out there with ride quality, range, and power like this, at a weight that’s light enough to carry. The Turbo Vado SL 4.0 is best for... Electric Bike Specialized CREO Turbo

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

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What's Included