Thinking about seeing the Tour de France for the first time?  These touring companies make it easy!

TREKTravel [2007] got rave reviews from everyone I came across who was on a TDF tour with them (we're a very large TREK dealer and have a lot of customers interested in what they have to offer, so it made sense to find out everything I could). Itineraries for 2007 have been posted, and they offer several levels of style, from $2999 to $6999. I can personally state that the quality of at least one of their past guides is extraordinary (that would be Bruno, who's worked with us for many years as our service manager in Redwood City).
 

Agile Compass [2007] specializes in tours of Italy & France, and it turns out they're led by a guy (Michael Khaw) who's one of the hard-working members of both Western Wheelers and ACTC, two large & active local cycling clubs (local to Chain Reaction that is). $2400 for a one-week stay in the Pyrenees; details on their offerings during the 'Tour are found here.
 

Adventure Travel [2007] is one of several Australian touring companies, this one with Phil Anderson, former TDF great, riding along.  I've met Phil's (soon-to-be-ex) wife, Christine, who speaks glowingly of her husbands ability to entertain and take care of their guests (I met her in Lourdes at the '03 TDF; details on my diary page at www.ChainReaction.com/diaryfrance2003.htm#christine).  They also feature the longest tour I've come across, the 16-day "Roadforce." Detailed info on their tours on their site, but unfortunately it's in "Flash" format so I can't provide a direct link.  About $4000, making it quite reasonable for such a long trip. Very friendly people too; I've had many email exchanges with Howard Duncan.
 

Backroads [2007] generally gets high marks from our customers but seems to have cut back a bit on their formerly-extensive offerings. 6-day trips (5 nights) run about $3500.
 

Beaux Voyages [2007] sent me this information on their tours- “Beaux Voyages offers several high-end tours throughout France.  Tours are generally at a leisurely pace and emphasize personal service, great food and wine, and in general an excellent TdF and “French Experience”.  6-day 5-night Alps & Pyrenees trips for $3200. They must be good people, as they've asked for (and been given permission to use) a few photos from our website!
 

Breaking Away [2007] is another popular, high-quality organization. As of 12/10/07, they only have a brief "preview" section on-line regarding their TdF offerings.
 

BikePyrenees [2007] is a bit different from most, in that they have a hotel you stay (in Massat) from which they conduct all operations.  You won't technically be "following" the TDF, since you always come back to the same place, but you will get to travel out to many exciting stages.  July 19th-30th, 2500 Euros.
 

Bikestyle Tours [2005], an Australian touring company, has a number of options running from about $3800-5000.
 

Butterfield & Robinson [2005] (along with TREK Travel) defines the high-end of cycle touring...  their trips run from $6000-$7000, and include one family option (although the kid has to be 15 years or older). Less intimidating than most for those who can't make it up the big hills; one of their itineraries for '04 read: D3 - attempt the infamous L’Alpe d’Huez climb. 15-60 km, hilly.  Attempt???!!!  You're going to fly all the way to France and only attempt to climb Alpe d'Huez?
 

Outfitter Tours [2005], run by Dick Powell, has offered TDF tours for a number of years. They'll have a 9-night Alps trip for $2500 as well as a 9-night Ventoux/Pyrenees/St Etienne offering for just a bit more. Their tours come with many excellent recommendations from our customers.
 

Custom Getaways [2005], is offering two tours, a one-week trip in the Alps and a 10-day Pyrenees-to-Paris offering. $3500-$4000. Almost as interesting is their package for La Marmotte, the French equivalent of the Deathride. 174km, 17,000 feet of climbing, including Alpe d'Huez and the Col du Galibier on July 9th.
 

Cycleande [2005] is a general-purpose French touring company offering a variety of walking & cycling tours, but as of 11/18/04, they still don't have information up regarding their '05 offerings, just a request to email them for info when available.
 

Cyclevents [2005] does things a bit differently, camping out instead of staying in hotels (which saves some money and offers a different experience than the rest).  They'll be catching the TDF on two of their trips in '05.  Cost runs $1100-$1350 for 8 & 9-day trips.
 

Cycle Ventures International [2005] was located in Madison, WI (home of TREK Bicycles, but no connection to them) but as of 3/23/05 their website is no longer in action. Could be they're gone for good.
 

Cycling Ahead [2005] isn't running any TDF tours for '05, but we're keeping them here to remind us to check for offerings in '06.
 

Cyclomundo [2006] is running tours again for the '06 TDF, with a new super-deluxe offering that includes the opportunity to ride a stage ahead of the race... on the same day! At 2850 euros, it's not cheap, but it's definitely unique. They also feature a bicycle rental page that offers services separately for their tours, with pickups in locations throughout France.
 

Discover France [2005] has a variety of offerings through France, with fairly detailed info.  For 2005, it appears they're trying to attract a more serious rider with considerably tougher ride options. A variety of dates & types of tours available, from about $1200 to $3600.
 

Dude Girl [2005]is a cycling travel company with trips to the Tour de France and mountain biking in Bulgaria. The Tour de France cycling trips include the Alps and La Marmotte, July 6-15 and the Pyrenees, which ends in Paris, July 17-25. Their pitch is "A perfect mix of riding hard, eating well and Tour viewing!"
 

Du Vine Adventures [2005] runs four separate one-week tours during the TDF, although their Pyrenees tour is sold out as of 3/23/05. They also have a non-cycling tour, 10 days, for about $3600.
 

Experience Plus [2005] has a variety of options, and now have full info & prices on their website. 6-day "Chasing the Tour" trips for $2950, with one option for the Alps and another in the Pyrenees. They have many other options as well, but those are probably going to be their most-popular this year. They even have a recommendation from another tour operator (Europed).
 

Erickson Cycle Tours [2005] offers three tours that intersect the TDF, and comes recommended from one of our customers (who's gone twice to the TDF with them).  $2900 for a two-week tour, with options in both the Pyrenees and the Alps.  These tours aren't for those trying to follow the TDF stage-by-stage, but rather will introduce you to just about all of the famous climbs in the region.  The focus is on your own cycling, rather than trying to chase down the TDF.
 

EuroCycler [2005] is a relative newcomer, recommended by the operator of Europed (below). They're offering 7-day Alps & Pyrenees trips (about $3800) as well as an interesting final-day option at a restaurant overlooking the final stage on the Champ Elysees ($180). That final-day option looks mighty interesting to people who've stood 6-deep for hours and hours on the Champ Elysees, straining to see a glimpse of the racers coming around. They'll also have an option that adds 4 days to the Pyrenees trip along with the final stage restaurant offering for $1100 more.
 

Europeds [2005] In 2005, EUROPEDS will run two trips to the TDF.
1. The Alps to Provence, July 10-17, 8 days/7 nights. View 3 stages of the TDF
4 nights exclusive accommodations in Briancon, TDF arrival and departure town in 2005. Price:  $3500.00 per person. Small group of 14 people
2. The Pyrenees and the Massif Central. July 15-22, 8 days/7 nights. View 3 stages of the TDF. Price: ? $3500.00 per person. Small group of 14 people.  David of Europed also graciously mentions that Experience Plus (listed above) is a family-run operation he can recommend, as well as Eurocycler, a newcomer (2-3 years) that he came across that seemed to be doing a good job.
 

Europe-By-Bike.com [2005] doesn't follow every single stage; they'll have a central hotel they stay in for several days, and concentrate on seeing just a few stages while offering a bit more time to relax or ride as you wish. Prices run about $3100, with three different tours to choose from.
 

France by Bike offers a 9-day tour that includes the opportunity to ride up Mont Ventoux and Alpe d'Huez (neither of which are included in the '05 TDF route, but are not to be missed by any cyclist wanting to know what the classic Euro climbs are really like!) and view two stages of the TDF- the final Time Trial at St. Etienne and the finish on the Champ Elysees in Paris. Perhaps not much in-person TDF viewing, but you'll get in a lot of great riding. Sort of a "greatest hits" tour. Cost is $2100, making it one of the more-reasonable offerings. (New listing, added 4/15/05)
 

Great Explorations [2005] out of Canada offers three different TDF options, offering moderate (40-100k) mileages each day.  From $2500-$3000.
 

Inside Track Tours [2005] is another one that I'm not familiar with.  They do have an affiliation with Tyler Hamilton, so there may be better access to the riders than with other groups. 8-9 day tours for around $6000. 

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Marty Jemison [2005], former USPS rider, has his own tour company offers three different week-long tours, running $3800-$4800.
 

Pathfinder Bike Tours [2005] is offering a two-week trip through the Provence, ending in Paris where you will see the TDF finale (the only stage you will see in-person).  Moderate riding (about 40k/day) with a focus on wine & food; probably a good choice for couples that would like to explore France by bike but aren't hot-shot riders. Pricing includes round-trip airfare from Chicago, but as of 11/18/04, it's still to be determined that that pricing actually will be.
 

Steve Bauer [2005], former TDF racer, has another high-end touring company, with a deluxe trip to the Alps for about $5700 as well as a trip to the Pyrenees.  We often hear very good reports from customers about their trips with them.
 

Thomson Bike Tours [2005] runs high-quality tours for stronger cyclists (riding from 90-170km/day at a pretty good clip) with a nice descriptive piece to help you decide if you're up to it. They break things up into three groups and provide support for each, a nice touch. Their 11-day "Mountains" tour (both Alps & Pyrenees) runs $5450. They also have an easier, 9-day option at the start of the TDF for $4450. Hotels are mostly 3-star. And finally, a 6-day trip through the Pyrenees for $2850.
 

Velo Echappe [2005] looks interesting (they emphasize having big-name cycling greats helping out, including Sean Kelly... wonder if his English is easier to understand in person than on TV?), but their site implies that all of their TDF offerings are built around the Etape du Tour (a huge event where 7,000+ people ride a difficult stage of the TDF... for time!). Their detailed itinerary makes it appear that they do a lot of riding, but don't actually see any of the TDF. Prices range from $2550 (3 day/3 night) to $5200 (8day/7 night).
 

Two Bicycles and a Map [2005] has been doing Loire Valley tours (very easy riding) in France and recently added a couple days in Paris to see the end of the Tour de France. This isn't about big mountains or riding fast; they say it's for those favoring "easy cycling ability" and basically flat with a few hills. Cost of their two-week trip is $2980.
 

VeloVacations [2005] (also known as VeloSport Vacations) is a group I've come across frequently in my travels in France, and I found people generally pretty happy with them.  They'll have two riding packages, an Alps & a Pyrenees-to-Paris, in addition to a non-riding Paris option. Pricing for the Alps & Pyrenees-to-Paris trips run from $4500-$6000.
 

VeloVista [2005] is a general-purpose cycle touring site, with a great deal of useful information, although most of it pertains to past tours. However, it remains a great resource for those thinking about going it on their own.
 

Viva Travels [2005] will offer '05 TDF trips featuring better accommodations (3 & 4-star hotels) than many, and hits the upper-mid price ranges at $3500 for their Pyrenees trip.  I do question their ability to find a legit 4-star hotel in Lourdes though!
 

Wide Open Road [2005] is a UK (England)-based company promoting a relatively inexpensive three-week trip (June 25-July 16th) for about $2600. However, it's not three weeks of the Tour de France; rather, it's a two-week trip through the heart of France, with an additional week tacked on at the end so you can see the race wind through the Alps. 
 

Yellow Jersey Adventures [2005] looks like a great way for the more adventurous to experience France and several TDF stages.  This tour features maximum riding and minimum frills, staying at campgrounds & schools, and is only for the very fittest of cyclists.  Check out the route/details page and you'll find this is like doing back-to-back Deathrides on some days!  But at under $1200, it's one heck of a deal.  Just keep in mind it's a cycling adventure, not a pampered tour (If I could take off two-weeks plus, I'd be very tempted to try this one).