Stage 14 – Pau to Luchon-Superbagnères – 183km. Sat 12th July
Total Climb: 4,950m

Today we ride a replica of Stage 14 from 1986, where Greg Lemond turned the tables on Bernard Hinault and went on to win the Tour. It’s a challenging stage, with almost 5,000m of ascent, the majority of which is packed into its second half – so we depart Pau on relatively flat roads, following the Gave de Pau river south towards the mountains. After admiring the fairytale architecture of Lestelle-Bétharram and the pilgrimage sites of Lourdes, we begin to gain height, and the mountains close in around us as we approach Luz-Saint-Sauveur, where our longest climb of the day begins.

The road up to the Col du Tourmalet is long, and very steep in places, with the highest gradients in its final stretches. It’s never a boring view though with open vistas of the road wiggling up ahead of you to the col. We recommend you take it steadily and adopt a gear that (if possible) makes it almost feel easy; there’s still a lot to come of this stage and you’ll need to remember that the Tourmalet is the first, not the last, of four!

At the top we’ll have a moment to savour the triumph of completing one of the Tour’s most famous climbs, and then there’s a long descent to enjoy, via the brutalist ski resort of La Mongie. Next we climb up out of the remote Payolle valley, to the ethereal Col d’Aspin: a much shorter ascent than the Tourmalet, though it’s slightly steeper.

Descending to Arreau, we then follow the Louron towards the base of the Peyresourde. It’s worth remembering that this valley has an elevation gain of 400m in 12km, so it may feel like a struggle, even if it appears to be flat. The struggle will intensify on the 7km climb up to the col, but we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views, and the excitement of descending into a new valley, via the Peyresourde’s scenic hairpins, and its famous avenue of trees. Passing through the stylish spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, we then commence our 12km ascent to Superbagnères: through the narrow Lys valley, and then along an increasingly exposed series of switchbacks until we finally put a foot down on the summit, with mountains rolling away on all sides of us.

It’s worth noting that we pass our hotel on the way to the final climb and you’re welcome to stop if you’ve run out of beans.

Tour logisitics
Start: Pau hotel
Finish: Luchon hotel

Stage 15 – Muret to Carcassonne – 169km. Sun 13th July
Total Climb: 2,400m

Our first hour takes us between two rivers, as we set off from the banks of the Garonne, and make our way across the watershed towards the Ariège, which we’ll meet at Auterive – an important crossing point since Roman times. We now encounter a few minor bumps as we cross the low plateau that overlooks the eastern bank of the Ariège, and descend to cross the Canal du Midi at Villefranche-de-Lauragais, best known for its historic production of pastel – a blue dye that the British might recognise as woad.

Another hour or so of quiet countryside riding brings us to Revel, where we encounter our first significant climb of the day. The Côte de Saint-Ferréol takes us up out of the town, to a pretty lakeside settlement, and with an average gradient of just over 5%, it shouldn’t bother us too much. Our next challenge, the 10% Col du Pas du Sant, may cause a little more trouble, but it takes us into the fascinating Montagne Noire – a remote highland region that was the site of significant Résistance activity during the Second World War. Look out for monuments to these brave fighters as you roll along the quiet tree-lined roads that eventually lead us south, towards the magnificent fortified city of Carcassonne. The final 40km of our ride is almost all downhill or flat, so you’ll be able to enjoy the way the landscape changes around you as you emerge from the Montagne Noire and catch sight of the vast plain on which the city lies, and the distant mountains on every horizon.

Tour logisitics
Start: Transfer to Muret
Finish: Carcassonne hotel

Rest Day – Mon 14th July

Following a morning transfer (not too early!) from Carcassonne to Montpellier, you’ll still have plenty of time for a huge lunch, some bike tinkering and a visit to the launderette

Tour logisitics
Morning transfer from Carcassonne to Montpellier . Overnight Montpellier

Stage 16 – Montpellier to Mont Ventoux – 172km. Tuesday 15th July
Total Climb: 2,900m

Everyone will focus on the fact that this stage finishes at the top of Mont Ventoux, but for most the day it’ll be a very different riding experience, with a gently rolling route that takes us through the delightful landscape of southern Provence. It’s an opportunity to enjoy one of France’s many cycling heartlands, and we’ll be treated to fields of lavender and rolling vineyards as we move into the fertile Rhône Valley. Provence has some of the world’s most impressive Roman remains, and the same golden stone has been used to build the region’s many hilltop villages, as well as larger towns, where you’ll want to slow down to savour the architecture.

It’s a day of many rivers: we leave Montpellier via the Lez (popular with canoeists), crossing the tranquil Vidourle at Quissac, and the Gardon at Moussac – but the one you’ll remember is the glistening Rhône, whose waters have defined this part of France for millennia. Wine buffs will be delighted to know that our route includes the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where a dramatic hilltop castle overlooks world-famous vineyards, and most of our hearts will flutter as we catch our first glimpses of the Giant of Provence, looming above the lavender fields and tree-lined streets of Bédoin.

Ventoux isn’t just famous for its looks – the wind-blasted scree slopes and the red-and-white tower – it’s also one of the most challenging climbs of the Tour. The lower stretches hover around 9-10%, and although the gradient lessens slightly as you emerge from the trees at Chalet Reynard, you’ll then have the fearsome Provençal wind to contend with, plus the cruel kicker in the final 2km, where the road ramps back up to 9.5%. The views from the top will make it all worth the struggle, and you’ll want to linger here, to cheer on your fellow riders as they battle up to the summit.

Tour logistics
Start: Montpellier hotel
Finish: Malaucene (Ventoux) hotel

Stage 17 – Bollène to Valence – 161km. Wed 16th July
Total Climb: not yet published

Don’t get too complacent about this so-called flat stage. We’re too close to the mountains for the Tour to be able to resist adding a few lumps and bumps, though in many cases we’ll be riding between the hills rather than over them, making this a scenic ride that offers a lot of bang for relatively little buck.

The morning involves a fair bit more up than down but as Valence is only 60m higher in altitude than Bollene, the good news is that the latter half of the day will seem much easier on the legs.

Our morning ride takes us through the arid landscape of northern Provence, with wide views over sweeping vineyards and the occasional burst of yellow gorse. We steadily gain height (over 500m in the first 50km) as we move out of the Rhône valley and into the Baronnies Provençales. This small range of limestone mountains, perched on the edge of the Alps, is known for the wide variety of herbs that are grown and harvested here, so we can expect to inhale the scents of thyme, rosemary and lavender as we make our way through its quiet valleys.

We’ll briefly descend out of the hills for visits to the historic stone villages of Marsanne and Cléon-d’Andran, passing small hamlets and very few cars on the way. And then a scenic climb of around 5km takes us up the rim of the valley, and over the top via a luscious descent to the river Drôme. The rest of this stage will pass quickly as the final hour of the ride is on fast, flat roads, so you’ll arrive in Valence full of the joys of cycling .

Tour logistics
Start: Short transfer to Bollene
Finish: Valence hotel

Stage 18 – Vif to Courchevel Col de la Loze – 171km. Thursday 17th July
Total Climb: 5,500m

Welcome to 2025’s most demanding stage. It includes 5,500m of vertical gain, over three massive climbs, and finishes at the highest point of the whole Tour – the 2,304m Col de la Loze. You’re right to be nervous about tackling this monster, but what the route profile doesn’t tell you is how beautiful this ride will be, and how many happy memories you’ll take home with you.

Setting off from Vif, in the shadow of the Vercors massif, we’ll follow the Romanche river into the high mountains, beginning our first climb as we skirt the glittering Lac du Verney. The road up to the Col du Glandon passes through some of the wildest scenery you’ll see on this stage, following a narrow valley upwards until it emerges alongside another beautiful mountain lake. Look out for marmots as you leave the trees behind you and approach the windswept summit of this magnificent climb. The gradient varies significantly over 21km, and you’ll want to save some energy for kilometre 10, which averages 11%.

From here there’s around 25km of delightful downhill into the Maurienne Valley, and then with very little ado we set off up our next big ascent, towards the Col de la Madeleine. For better or for worse, this road offers fewer variations in gradient than the Glandon, so you may find it easier to get into a rhythm, but there’ll be fewer easy stretches to rest on. The col, when you reach it, is an exhilarating 2,000m above sea level.

After another long descent, and a 15km roll along the Isère valley to Brides-les-Bains, it’s time for the 26.2km up to the Col de la Loze, via Courchevel – a journey like no other, as you’ll ascend the best part of two vertical kilometres, from the bustling valley floor, to the rarefied atmosphere of the Tour de France’s highest point. The last 5km are closed to all traffic but bicycles, which should help to soften the blow of the 11% section you’ll meet shortly before the top.

The first time Le Loop rode up the Col de la Loze was in 2023 and our Alumni still talk, joke and cry about it. These may be some of the toughest kilometres you ever cycle but that’s no reason not to give it a go.

(As an aside, the route passes our Courchevel hotel on the way to the top so if you’ve already had plenty of challenge, you do have the option to stop).

Tour logistics
Start: Transfer to Vif
Finish: Courchevel hotel

Stage 19 – Albertville to La Plagne – 130km. Fri 18th July
Total Climb: 4,600m

The lofty ski resort of La Plagne is today’s grand finale, and there’s 4,600 ascent in total, but what you’ll really remember from this stage is the simple joy of cycling in the Alps – the green meadows, clamouring cowbells, and quaint wooden chalets lining the climbs.

Our first ascent, which we encounter around 10km in, is a relatively gentle one, up to the pretty village of Hery, which perches on the mountainside overlooking the Arly gorge. There’s only a brief descent before we’re straight into the next one – the super-pretty 13km climb up to Col des Saisies, a quiet road that twists its way through pine forests and green meadows.

After the descent comes Beaufort, a classic Alpine town famed for its cheese, and known as the gateway to one of the finest road cycling sequences there is –Cormet de Roselend via Col du Pré. The first of these climbs is a scenic-but-steep ascent on tranquil hairpins, serenaded by cowbells and overlooked by chalets. As we roll over the top we’ll be treated to views of the spectacular Lac de Roselend (everyone will want to stop for photos), before rolling downhill to cross its dam, skirt its northern shore, and begin our ascent of the famous Cormet, which at this time of year should be lined with delicate Alpine flowers.

The corkscrew descent to Bourg-Saint-Maurice is one of the most enjoyable in the Alps, and the valley that connects to La Plagne is slightly downhill too (hurrah!), so all you have to worry about now is riding uphill for 19km – the final big climb of this year’s Tour – and planning how you’ll celebrate when you reach the top.

Tour logistics
Start: Transfer to Albertville
Finish: Dinner at La Plagne, then transfer to outskirts of Geneva (Porte de Geneve) Hotel.