Two cities – three mountains – 650 miles – 7 days
This event is fully booked.
Feel as though you’re riding the Tour de France on this epic cycling challenge, passing 650 miles from Paris to Nice, through the beautiful French countryside.
Following in the tyre tracks of the iconic ‘Race to the Sun’, this route will take you along quiet, meandering roads. You’ll be put to the test on unforgiving Tour de France climbs, including the famous Col de Saint-Jean, Col du Galibier and Col du Telegraphe, but the stunning views of the Maurienne Valley will keep you smiling.
To take part in this challenge you must be a fit and experienced cyclist with a road bike however, there is plenty of time to train if you’re just getting back in the saddle.
Take on the challenge and raise vital funds so we can continue caring for patients and their families when they need us most.
Costs and fundraising
| Registration fee (to pay at time of booking) |
Remaining trip costs (this may have changed due to postponement of two years) | Fundraising minimum | Total amount |
| £200 | Approx £415 | £1200 | Approx £1815 |
I understand that my participation in this event is subject to me paying the costs for the trip when due and fundraising a minimum of £1200 for Willen Hospice. The trip costs must be paid when due and fundraising of £1200 achieved before or during the challenge.
Paris to Nice itinerary
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Travelling Day
Travel to Paris Orly from St Pancras International via Eurostar, where we’ll meet up with the support vans and our bicycles at the hotel. The evening is yours but make sure you’re back at the hotel for a briefing to prepare you for the challenge ahead.
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Day 1 – Le Grande Depart - Paris Orly to Auxerre - 93 miles / Elevation 3468ft
Today we’ll be departing south of Paris Orly, from the Foret de Senart, through the leafy suburbs of south Paris towards Foret de Fontainebleu. We’ll be skimming the edge of the picturesque Chateau to Fontainebleu before heading Southeast through a variety of small French villages before arriving in Auxerre.
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Day 2 – Auxerre to Chalon Sur-Saone - 115 miles / Elevation 5534ft
Today there’ll be more climbing, but still a relatively flat day. We depart Auxerre, heading South East through the Parc Naturel Regional du Morvan. There’ll be a lunch stop in or around the village of Arnay le Luc before continuing to Chalon Sur Saone.
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Day 3 – Chalon Sur-Saone to Aix les-Bains -115 miles/Elevation 4220ft
We depart Chalon Sur Saone and head towards Bourg en-Bresse where the terrain gets a little more bumpy. We cross over the river Rhone and continue our ride past Lac du Bourget, hopefully catching a glimpse of the Abbaye d’Hautecombe, a 12th century Cistercian abbey perrched on the edge of the lake known as Lac du Bourget, before arriving in Aix-les-Bains.
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Day 4 – Aix Les-Baines to Briancon (inc the Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier) - 105 miles/Elevation 9748 ft
Today is all about climbing. Departing Aix Les Baines, we cycle inbetween two national parks; Parc Naturel Régional de la Chartreuse and Parc naturel régional du massif des Bauges. Then we start tackling the iconic and challenging Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier, before descending into Briancon.
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Day 5 – Briancon – Digne (inc Col de Saint Jean) - 85 miles/Elevation 6598 ft
Departing Briancon, we continue our descent, cycling on the edge of the Parc National des Ecrins and then alongside the Lac de Serre Poncon. We then start our climbing for the day ascending the Col de Saint Jean and finishing in Digne.
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Day 6 – Digne to Cannes = 84 miles/Elevation 6039ft
Departing Digne, we start our penultimate day with a gradual climb through the beautiful Parc Naturel Regional du Verdon and through the stunning scenery of Parc Naturel Regional des Prealpes d’azur, before arriving in Grasse (the heart of the French perfume industry) and descending into the outskirts of Cannes, known for its famous annual film festival.
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Day 7 – Cannes to Nice - 25 miles/Elevation 1000ft
Our final day sees us depart the beautiful Cannes, travelling along the Cote d’Azur taking in the coastal town of Antibes, before hitting the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
Well done! You’ve cycled over 650 miles and conquered 36000 ft of climbing (that’s higher than Everest). Now it is time to pack your bikes away and celebrate your achievement.
Please note – Route subject to change.
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What’s included?
• Standard Class Eurostar ticket to Paris and transport to the Paris hotel
• 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation 1*/2*/3* (this will be on a shared basis)*
• Daily buffet breakfast
• GPS routes
• Fuel for support vehicles and trained first aider vehicle
• Lunch/water each day
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What's not included
Transport to London St Pancras
• Your flight home from Nice
• Your hotel accommodation on arrival in Nice and any subsequent nights you wish to stay
• Local hotel and tourist tax – approx. €1.50 per person per night
• Your evening meals
• Drinks with meals
• Travel insurance
• Any spares you require en-route
• Cycling kit (and bicycle)
* Singles rooms may be available upon request at an additional supplement.
