Tour de France

What better reason to explore France?

The Tour de France is one of the international sporting calendar’s highlights, and with the Continent a mere ferry or train ride away, grabbing a piece of the action is easier than you might think. The race itself covers some 3,500 km over 21 or so stages, so there’s ample opportunity to sample the best of France along the way. Here’s our advice for making the most of your trip.

Le Tour

The competition itself is the most famous of the ‘Grand Tours’ on the cycling calendar and covers a gruelling 3 week period, broken down into day-long stages. The first Tour took place in 1903, starting in Paris, and now attracts teams from all over the world – with a prize pot of around 450,000 euros. It’s worth noting that the Tour always finishes in Paris, offering a great opportunity to combine a quick sporting fix with a relaxing getaway.

Travelling advice

Stay in one of the towns along the route, or take your car and shadow the riders all the way. Plan your journey with our free online European Route Planner, and make sure you don't get stranded somewhere unfamiliar. Check out our valuable advice on driving abroad and make sure you've got European Breakdown Cover sorted. You can save up to 30%* when you book online and enjoy peace of mind with our 24-hour English-speaking assistance.

Travel discounts

If you’re not planning on taking your vehicle, as an AA member you can enjoy special discounts on travel with P&O Ferries and Brittany Ferries. You can also hire a vehicle for less with Hertz Car Rental.

Keep boredom at bay

If you've got kids in tow and you simply can't tolerate any more 'eye spy', keep them occupied on the journey with our free downloadable games.

Get away from it all

Chances are, the Tour de France is likely to be passing through or near one of our great short break destinations, so why not check out AA Getaways and turn your trip into a relaxing getaway? Enjoy a tailor-made short Continental break by Eurostar, car or plane.

Find your way

The AA publishes a huge range of travel books and guides to France and other destinations, as well as individual maps covering many European regions.

A place to stay

Those who love life under canvas should check out our Caravan & Camping France guide. People who prefer a roof over their heads should pick a place to rest from our Best B&Bs France paperback. You can also search from hundreds of rated and inspected European campsites.

And don't forget Travel Insurance in case of any mishaps while you're abroad. Annual cover costs from £35 and we also provide single trip policies.

Check out our other inspirational ideas for days out and weekend breaks.

*Offer valid at time of publication (October 2011)