Setting off on July 2nd 2016 from Le Mont-Saint-Michel in La Manche, France, the 103rd Tour de France will spend three days in Andorra, with a stage finish, a rest day and a stage start. It will be the Tour’s fifth stopover in the Principality, after previous visits in 1964, 1993, 1997 and 2009.
The announcement was made by Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, Francesc Camp, Minister for Tourism of Andorra, and Betim Budzaku, general manager of Andorra Turisme, in a move that will showcase Andorra’s status as a world-class cycling and activity destination.
Nestled on the border of France and Spain in the heart of the Pyrenees, the Principality of Andorra has been chosen as a host destination for the 2016 Tour thanks to its combination of mountainous terrain, beautiful landscapes and the quality of accommodation options across the country. With 65 peaks over 2,000m high, Andorra’s role in the Tour’s 2016 edition will be to put more emphasis on the value of high-altitude mountain stages which test the climbing ability of the professional peloton, according to Prudhomme.
Francesc Camp, Minister for Tourism of Andorra, said: “The arrival of the Tour de France, one of the most important and publicised sporting events in the world, will reinforce Andorra’s status as a leading destination for mountain sports, as well as highlight the beauty and diversity of the country’s landscape. We also expect the number of overnight stays to increase during the month of July next year in Andorra. With the Tour, 2016 is set to be a year of big events for the Principality as we will also be a host of the 2016 Women’s Ski World Cup.”
A year ahead of the Tour de France’s 2016 visit to Andorra, Spain’s national cycling tour, the Vuelta a España (The Tour of Spain) will head to Andorra on 2nd September 2015 for the 11th stage, billed as its queen stage.
The entire route of the 2016 Tour de France will be revealed on 20th October in Paris.
Useful info
Travel
There is a regular shuttle service to Andorra from Barcelona and Toulouse airports, which are served by airlines from multiple regional UK airports several times a day throughout the summer.
EasyJet offers return flights from London Gatwick to Barcelona and Toulouse in July from £64 and £70 respectively.
Airport shuttle buses with Novatel to Andorra La Vella are from £50 return
Accommodation
Hotel rates in Andorra in July are from £40 per night for a double room. Check availability and prices on visitandorra.com
Accommodation with the cycling symbol is particularly bike-friendly, signifying that the accommodation has an enclosed, alarmed space to store bikes with a security system, as well as an area to clean bikes with a power washer. They also have longer hours for breakfast and meals as well as picnics designed for cyclists.
Cycle there
One-day mountain bike hire in Andorra is around 25€ (£18). See visitandorra.com
For an example of the many fantastic cycling holidays you could book in Andorra, check out cycling specialists, Singletrack Safari, which offers ‘Andorra Altitude’, a luxurious mountain biking holiday hosted by Andorra’s foremost guides, which explores the country’s finest trails, deep into the mountains. Priced from £600 per person based in a 4* hotel on B&B basis, the package include transfers from Barcelona airport, five days of guided riding, coaching from highly qualified English-speaking staff, technical support and free photography. Available between June and September. 07818 085590 or 01453 542377
