Monaco - Mont Ventoux July, 2-9
From Thursday, July 2nd to Thursday, July 9th
8 days and 7 nights in three-star hotel.
With and Without Bike
• Team presentation.
• 2 Exclusive VIP access to start Time Trial and stage 1 at Monaco.
• 2 Exclusive VIP access to Monaco and la grande Motte stage finish.
• Ride the stage of the Tour de France (Marseille/La grandeMotte and the team time trial at Montpellier).
• Ride the Giant of Provence, the MONT VENTOUX • Test riding a LOOK 
carbon pro-level bicycle for the whole Tour.
Arrange your own flight to Nice Airport (France) where our reps will meet you.
Many flights are available to the Nice Airport. Remember to book early in order to benefit from the best air fare rates. please visit the Nice Airport's website: www.nice.aeroport.fr
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Thursday , July 2nd: day 1
Tour de France stage : Team presentation
Group : Arrival Nice airport and transfer to Menton.
Nice Airport /Menton: 21 miles/33.5 km
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Thursday , July 2nd: day 1
Tour de France stage : Team presentation
Group : Arrival Nice airport and transfer to Menton.
Nice Airport /Menton: 21 miles/33.5 km
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You will be welcomed at the Nice-Airport (France) at 11:00 a.m.
Once the group has gathered together, a bus will take you to the three star
hotel, Hôtel Royal Westminster, in Menton where you will spend three nights on a
half boad basis (bed, breakfast, dinner).
Menton is located near the borders of Italy, the Principality of Monaco and the
Comté de Nice. A paradise of gardens, Menton is also a unique display of
architecture. The city has been molded into a “secret Riviera”, a paradise where
you can walk in the footsteps of the Rich and Famous. From the Empress Eugénie
to Jean Cocteau, countless people have come to this magical setting to re-kindle
the authentic. The scents, colors and tranquility, but also the diversity of
activities that can be practiced here throughout the year, make the city of
Menton “the pearl of France”, so named by the geographer Élysée Reclus.
Moreover, the town is the first of the Alpes-Maritimes to receive the honorary title
of “City of Art and History”.
The Royal Westminster is located in a classified park close to the pedestrian centre
an in front of the sea.
If you wish, you will have the time to make any adjustments to your bikes and go for
an easy ride in the countryside close to the hotel.
You will leave the hotel at 4 pm to go to Monaco by bus for the "Presentation of
the Teams Ceremony" where the teams participating in the 2009 Tour de France will
be introduced.
You will have access to the official presentation with an official accreditation.
The launch of the 2009 Tour from Monaco will be especially appreciated as starts
of the TDF from the south of France are rare. Indeed, the race has started from
the south of France only four times in thirty years
Monaco, Monte Carlo: 7, 5 miles
An independent, sovereign state located between the foothills of the Southern
Alps and the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco borders on several
French villages: La Turbie, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Cap d'Ail et Beausoleil.
...our Hotel Royal Westminster...
Benefiting from an ideal geographical location, the Principality of Monaco enjoys
very mild winters and remarkably sunny summers, which tend not to be
exceedingly hot. In fact, the results of a 60-year study show that the
average temperature is 16° C, rain falls on less than 60 days per year and the sun
shines 7 hours a day on average. Sea temperatures vary from 11° C in the winter
to over 26° C in the middle of summer. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Monaco
is a pleasant place to live all year round. In addition, it is worth noting that ski
resorts in the Alps are only an hour's drive away.
After the presentation, the bus will take you back to Menton.
A welcoming cocktail with champagne will then be served at the hotel
restaurant before dinner.
3 * Hôtel Royal Westminster at Menton
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Friday , July 3rd: day 2
Tour de France stage : Day off
Friday , July 3rd: day 2
Tour de France stage : Day off
Group : AM: Ride in the incredibly beautiful countryside around Menton
PM: Free time in Monaco
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PM: Free time in Monaco
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Morning:
Ride description:
You’ll leave the hotel in two groups to get to the day’s route (group 1: 51 miles
ride and group 2: 62 miles ride). Today’s ride will bring you to the beautiful
countryside around Menton.
Each group will be accompanied by a staff rider and a back-up vehicle with
a technician and supplies (food and drink).
This afternoon, you will have the privilege of visiting Monaco and the hotels where
the teams will be staying, you will see the mechanics at work and look for, souvenirs
and autographs from the riders.
In the evening, our bus will take you back to the hotel where you will have dinner.
3 * Hôtel Royal Westminster at Menton
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Saturday , July 4th: day 3
Tour de France stage : 1st stage Monaco/Monaco
Group : AM: Ride the Time Trial or visit Menton
PM: Exclusive access to start village and riders enclosure
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Saturday , July 4th: day 3
Tour de France stage : 1st stage Monaco/Monaco
Group : AM: Ride the Time Trial or visit Menton
PM: Exclusive access to start village and riders enclosure
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For those who decide to ride the TT, you will leave the hotel to ride to Monaco by
the charming but tortuous road along the sea shore (Menton-Monaco: 13 Km or
7,5 Miles). You will have the chance to ride the TT in Monaco where you, have
the opportunity to meet pro-riders doing their warm-up. Then, you will go back
to Menton by the same road.
For those who choose not to ride their bike, the visit of Menton with its gardens
and its unique display of architecture will be on the program.
The whole group will then leave the hotel at 1:00 PM to go to Monaco for the
first stage of the Tour de France. (TT)
You will visit the start area reserved for the teams in order to see the
teams’ equipment and fleet, such as buses, motor homes, etc. You will also see
how your favorite riders warm up for the first time trial of the 2009 Tour de
France. During this time you will be in the heart of the TDF and enjoy the “behind
the scenes” that is only reserved for accredited visitors.
For the first time trial of the 96th Tour de France, the riders will take off at
one minute intervals over the very famous Monaco Formula One circuit. The riders
will continue through the countryside before the race meets up with
the Mediterranean Sea shore for two and a half kilometers and then, once again,
joins up with the Formula One circuit. Just before reaching the harbor and the
finish line, the riders will have to ride through the 100 meters long tunnel.
The departure area and the finish area will be separated by only few hundred
meters. You will have access to both areas.
You will be able to access the technical zone in the finish area where you will be
free to visit the TV and media broadcasting area, as well as the finish line area. You
will have the privilege to stand just in front of the finish line from where you will
be able to see the famous “caravane publicitaire”, and the finish of this Tour
de France’s first stage.
Shortly after the end of this 1st Time Trial, our shuttle will take you back to the
hotel, where dinner will be served..
3 * Hôtel Royal Westminster at Menton.
You will leave the hotel as a group after breakfast.
The official ceremony to mark the start of the 96th Tour de France will take place
on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. The riders will then proceed along a large portion
of the circuit and its legendary sites (la Rascasse, Sainte-Dévote, the Casino) in
order to take the exit out of the Principality of Monaco.
You will have special access to today’s stage start and visit the start area reserved
for the teams and see your favourite teams and riders.
After watching the start you will leave Monaco and travel to Nîmes where you
will spend the next 2 nights in a three star hotel on a half board basis (bed,
breakfast, dinner).
Monaco/Nîmes: 180 miles by highway
3* Hotel Nîmes.
After checking in at the hotel and before the dinner at its restaurant, you will
have time to visit the city of Nîmes on your own.
Roman and Hispanic influences combined with contributions from the Camargue
and the Cévennes regions, as well as Languedoc and Provence, makes Nîmes a city
of many styles and influences! It has been fashioned for over 2000 years by
southern sunshine, wind and various cultural accents. "Set at the crossroads of
history and human relations" (Christian Liger), it has lived the history of
Europe intensely. And although it has many influences and paradoxes, its personality
is unique.
Two thousand years of history, architecture, art and passions. Just push a door ajar
to meet the seventeenth century and wander around the streets to feel the
Roman atmosphere. Here, contemporary art always goes hand-in-hand with
history. Nîmes would like to share with you these last two thousand years before
the 21st century. This is why it has joined the national network of "Villes et Pays
d’Art et d’Histoire".
the dinner will be served at the hotel
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel as a group to get to the day’s route. You
will ride the 65 last kilometers (40 miles) of the stage to the finish in La Grande
Motte. The route will be without any difficulty.
Our accredited Ronan Pensec Travel support vehicle as well as our three staff
riders will accompany you during the ride.
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel as a group to get to the day’s route. You
will ride the 65 last kilometers (40 miles) of the stage to the finish in La Grande
Motte. The route will be without any difficulty.
Our accredited Ronan Pensec Travel support vehicle as well as our three staff
riders will accompany you during the ride.
one minute intervals over the very famous Monaco Formula One circuit. The riders
will continue through the countryside before the race meets up with
the Mediterranean Sea shore for two and a half kilometers and then, once again,
joins up with the Formula One circuit. Just before reaching the harbor and the
finish line, the riders will have to ride through the 100 meters long tunnel.
The departure area and the finish area will be separated by only few hundred
meters. You will have access to both areas.
You will be able to access the technical zone in the finish area where you will be
free to visit the TV and media broadcasting area, as well as the finish line area. You
will have the privilege to stand just in front of the finish line from where you will
be able to see the famous “caravane publicitaire”, and the finish of this Tour
de France’s first stage.
Shortly after the end of this 1st Time Trial, our shuttle will take you back to the
hotel, where dinner will be served..
3 * Hôtel Royal Westminster at Menton.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday , July 5th: day 4
Tour de France stage : Monaco/Brignoles
Group : Exclusive access to the start village and the riders' enclosure. Exclusive
access to the start village and the riders' enclosure.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday , July 5th: day 4
Tour de France stage : Monaco/Brignoles
Group : Exclusive access to the start village and the riders' enclosure. Exclusive
access to the start village and the riders' enclosure.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You will leave the hotel as a group after breakfast.
The official ceremony to mark the start of the 96th Tour de France will take place
on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. The riders will then proceed along a large portion
of the circuit and its legendary sites (la Rascasse, Sainte-Dévote, the Casino) in
order to take the exit out of the Principality of Monaco.
You will have special access to today’s stage start and visit the start area reserved
for the teams and see your favourite teams and riders.
After watching the start you will leave Monaco and travel to Nîmes where you
will spend the next 2 nights in a three star hotel on a half board basis (bed,
breakfast, dinner).
Monaco/Nîmes: 180 miles by highway
3* Hotel Nîmes.
After checking in at the hotel and before the dinner at its restaurant, you will
have time to visit the city of Nîmes on your own.
Roman and Hispanic influences combined with contributions from the Camargue
and the Cévennes regions, as well as Languedoc and Provence, makes Nîmes a city
of many styles and influences! It has been fashioned for over 2000 years by
southern sunshine, wind and various cultural accents. "Set at the crossroads of
history and human relations" (Christian Liger), it has lived the history of
Europe intensely. And although it has many influences and paradoxes, its personality
is unique.
Two thousand years of history, architecture, art and passions. Just push a door ajar
to meet the seventeenth century and wander around the streets to feel the
Roman atmosphere. Here, contemporary art always goes hand-in-hand with
history. Nîmes would like to share with you these last two thousand years before
the 21st century. This is why it has joined the national network of "Villes et Pays
d’Art et d’Histoire".
the dinner will be served at the hotel
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday , July 6th: day 5
Tour de France stage : Marseille/La Grande Motte
Group : Ride the last 65 km (40 miles) of this stage of the Tour de France or have a
day off.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday , July 6th: day 5
Tour de France stage : Marseille/La Grande Motte
Group : Ride the last 65 km (40 miles) of this stage of the Tour de France or have a
day off.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel as a group to get to the day’s route. You
will ride the 65 last kilometers (40 miles) of the stage to the finish in La Grande
Motte. The route will be without any difficulty.
Our accredited Ronan Pensec Travel support vehicle as well as our three staff
riders will accompany you during the ride.
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel as a group to get to the day’s route. You
will ride the 65 last kilometers (40 miles) of the stage to the finish in La Grande
Motte. The route will be without any difficulty.
Our accredited Ronan Pensec Travel support vehicle as well as our three staff
riders will accompany you during the ride.
We will provide you with an exclusive accreditation from Ronan Pensec Travel,
which will allow you to have lunch at the private caterer of Ronan Pensec Travel in
the technical zone. You will have the previlege of visiting the compound, T.V.
and media broadcasting area, of meeting former Tour de France champions who
are working now for the TV (Paul Shewen, Bob Roll, Phil Liggett, Bernard Hinault…)
and of collecting autographs and taking some pictures.
While standing in front of the finish line, you will have a ringside seat to see the
famous “caravane publicitaire” passing by as well as the finish of this Tour de
France’s stage.
After the day’s stage, our bus will take you back to the hotel.
La Grande Motte/Nîmes: 28 miles
The persons who choose not to ride bikes will have time to visit Nimes and will
leave with the bus to la Grande Motte, one of the most popular sea resorts in France.
In the evening, the dinner will be served at the hotel 3* Hotel in Nîmes.
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel to go to Montpellier by bus where the
start of the 4th stage of Tour de France will take place. The Team Time Trial is
always a specific exercise for the pro-riders. It’s also a unique spectacle to see
all riders from one team in such event.
You will have the opportunity to become familiar with this stage before the
pro-riders. This familiarity will give you a proper understanding of the race.
A stop at a strategic location in the stage to observe each team during their
exercise of this TTT is planned.
You will enjoy a BBQ party while awaiting the arrival of the pro-riders.
After witnessing the finish, you will leave Montpellier and travel to Carpentras
where you will spend the next 2 nights at a three star hotel.
Montpellier/Carpentras: 75 miles by highway
You will stay at the 3 * Hotel at Carpentras on a half board basis (bed,
breakfast, dinner)
The dinner will be served at the hotel’s restaurant.
You’ll leave the hotel as a group after breakfast. The start of the climb is 8.5 miles
from the hotel. This will be your warm-up before facing the famous climb. Those
not feeling up to climbing the entire Mt Ventoux will take the bus up to the
“Chalet Reynard” and ride the last 5 km up to the summit.
Those who wish not to ride their bike will be taken by the bus to the top of the
Mont Ventoux, from where they will overlook the whole area.
The “Giant of Provence” - Mont Ventoux. This route will take you up from Bedoin:
22 km over 1912 m in altitude. This is the most famous and difficult ascent. The road
to the summit has an average grade of 7.6%.
Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located
some 20 km north-east of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north-side, the
mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region
and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald Mountain".
As the name might suggest (venteux means windy in French), it can get windy at
the summit, especially with the mistral; windspeeds as high as 320 km/h (193 mph)
have been recorded. The road over the mountain is often closed due to high winds.
Mont Ventoux, although geologically part of the Alps, is often considered to
be separate from them, due to the lack of mountains of a similar height nearby.
Its isolated position overlooking the valley of the Rhône ensures that it dominates
the entire region and can be seen from many miles away on a clear day. The view
from the top is superb.
As usual, you will be accompanied through the ride by a Ronan Pensec
Travel accredited vehicle and our 3 staff riders.
3 * Hôtel at Carpentras
In the evening, a well deserved dinner will be served at the hotel’s restaurant.
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye as this year’s VIP tour will be over.
Our coach will take you back to the Airport in Marseille.
Hotel / Airport: 56 miles
which will allow you to have lunch at the private caterer of Ronan Pensec Travel in
the technical zone. You will have the previlege of visiting the compound, T.V.
and media broadcasting area, of meeting former Tour de France champions who
are working now for the TV (Paul Shewen, Bob Roll, Phil Liggett, Bernard Hinault…)
and of collecting autographs and taking some pictures.
While standing in front of the finish line, you will have a ringside seat to see the
famous “caravane publicitaire” passing by as well as the finish of this Tour de
France’s stage.
After the day’s stage, our bus will take you back to the hotel.
La Grande Motte/Nîmes: 28 miles
The persons who choose not to ride bikes will have time to visit Nimes and will
leave with the bus to la Grande Motte, one of the most popular sea resorts in France.
In the evening, the dinner will be served at the hotel 3* Hotel in Nîmes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday , July 7th: day 6
Tour de France stage : Team Time Trial: Montpellier/Montpelier
Group : Ride the time trial
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday , July 7th: day 6
Tour de France stage : Team Time Trial: Montpellier/Montpelier
Group : Ride the time trial
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel to go to Montpellier by bus where the
start of the 4th stage of Tour de France will take place. The Team Time Trial is
always a specific exercise for the pro-riders. It’s also a unique spectacle to see
all riders from one team in such event.
You will have the opportunity to become familiar with this stage before the
pro-riders. This familiarity will give you a proper understanding of the race.
A stop at a strategic location in the stage to observe each team during their
exercise of this TTT is planned.
You will enjoy a BBQ party while awaiting the arrival of the pro-riders.
After witnessing the finish, you will leave Montpellier and travel to Carpentras
where you will spend the next 2 nights at a three star hotel.
Montpellier/Carpentras: 75 miles by highway
You will stay at the 3 * Hotel at Carpentras on a half board basis (bed,
breakfast, dinner)
The dinner will be served at the hotel’s restaurant.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday , July 8th: day 7
Tour de France stage : Day off
Group : This will be the challenge of your cycling life, the climb of the famous,
“Giant of Provence”, the Mont Ventoux.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday , July 8th: day 7
Tour de France stage : Day off
Group : This will be the challenge of your cycling life, the climb of the famous,
“Giant of Provence”, the Mont Ventoux.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You’ll leave the hotel as a group after breakfast. The start of the climb is 8.5 miles
from the hotel. This will be your warm-up before facing the famous climb. Those
not feeling up to climbing the entire Mt Ventoux will take the bus up to the
“Chalet Reynard” and ride the last 5 km up to the summit.
Those who wish not to ride their bike will be taken by the bus to the top of the
Mont Ventoux, from where they will overlook the whole area.
The “Giant of Provence” - Mont Ventoux. This route will take you up from Bedoin:
22 km over 1912 m in altitude. This is the most famous and difficult ascent. The road
to the summit has an average grade of 7.6%.
Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located
some 20 km north-east of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north-side, the
mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region
and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald Mountain".
As the name might suggest (venteux means windy in French), it can get windy at
the summit, especially with the mistral; windspeeds as high as 320 km/h (193 mph)
have been recorded. The road over the mountain is often closed due to high winds.
Mont Ventoux, although geologically part of the Alps, is often considered to
be separate from them, due to the lack of mountains of a similar height nearby.
Its isolated position overlooking the valley of the Rhône ensures that it dominates
the entire region and can be seen from many miles away on a clear day. The view
from the top is superb.
As usual, you will be accompanied through the ride by a Ronan Pensec
Travel accredited vehicle and our 3 staff riders.
3 * Hôtel at Carpentras
In the evening, a well deserved dinner will be served at the hotel’s restaurant.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday , July 9th: day 8
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday , July 9th: day 8
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye as this year’s VIP tour will be over.
Our coach will take you back to the Airport in Marseille.
Hotel / Airport: 56 miles
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Price : €2250 Extra charge for single : €400
Non cycling participant : €1970
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The price includes :
• Accommodations for 7
nights in three-star hotels: Double rooms with private bathroom
including toilets, and tub and/or shower.
• 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners (drinks wine and water included at each dinner).
• Lunches for Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7
• 2 English-speaking support riders who will accompany the group during the whole week and an English-speaking mechanic who will drive the technical car.
• Fruit, energy bars, drinks for each day’s ride.
• Test riding a LOOK
carbon pro-level bicycle for the whole Tour.
• 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners (drinks wine and water included at each dinner).
• Lunches for Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7
• 2 English-speaking support riders who will accompany the group during the whole week and an English-speaking mechanic who will drive the technical car.
• Fruit, energy bars, drinks for each day’s ride.
• Test riding a LOOK
carbon pro-level bicycle for the whole Tour.• Exclusive VIP access to the Team Presentation, Day 1
• Exclusive VIP access to the riders’ enclosure at Monaco stage time trial start on Day 3 and Monaco stage start day 4.
• Exclusive VIP access to the stage finish time trial Monaco Day 3.
• Riding last 40 miles Marseille/La Grande Motte stage 3 of the Tour de France on Day 5.
• Exclusive visit of the Tour de France finish areas, technical zones & media broadcasting area on Day 5.
• Riding the time trial team, Montpellier/Montpellier, the stage 4 of the Tour de France on Day 6.
• Climb the “Giant of Provence”, the Mont Ventoux.
• Tour de France Welcome package (T-shirt, Cap, Back-Pack).
• Ronan Pensec cycling Kit (jersey, short).
• Daily travel in luxury private coach.
• Daily luggage transport.
• Bike trailer for the safe transport of your bikes.
• The official Road Book of the Tour de France with detailed maps and daily stage routes.
• The official Tour de France tourist guide.
• Discounts at the Tour de France official store.
• Repatriation insurance (except in the framework of practicing sports).
• Local taxes.
The price does not include :
• Airfare.
• Cancellation and/or luggage insurance.
• Lunches for day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 4.
• The extra charge for single room.
• Personal expenses, aperitifs (before dinner drinks).
• Liability insurance for sporting activities and against theft of material.