Day 8 Bordeaux to Paris
Today the journey continued with a 50k ride out to St. Emilion for a relaxing lunch. Return was optional - either a ride back in the vans after lunch or get back on the bikes.
The ride out was incredibly beautiful through a succession of vineyard’s and chateau’s. the ride out was at a relaxed pace on fairly flat quiet roads. As we approached St. Emilion the clouds darkened and rain was imminent. Fortunately we arrived ay the village about the time the rain shower hit so we dodged for cover and waited out the brief downpour in a small cafe overlooking the town square enjoying a hot cafe au lait.
Once the rain ended we did some exploring of this beautiful village took pictures and just soaked up where we were.
Lunch was at a courtyard outdoor cafe and we decided we would enjoy our lunch have some vino and chill. We took our Van back to the Saint James for a quick clean up and then it was off to Bordeaux and watch the day’sTDF stage finish in the centre-ville! We found an overpass at the 1km to the finish line and watched the boys sprint home. Today other than a small break away group, the peloton finished together.
Once the guys went by we made our way to behind the finish line for a quick catch up with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin just outside the media compound. The guys were heading out for a dinner cruise so we had just a few minutes to chat then it was our turn to hunt for a restaurant for dinner.
We ended up at a 1 star Michelin Gabrielle restaurant but instead of eating in their gourmet restaurant we choose their attached Bistro. It was terrific and our small group had a ball at dinner to the point we were asked to keep it down.
We caught a taxi back to the Hotel to get some sleep in preparation for a longer ride the next day to end up in Margaux to watch the TDF time trial.
Day 9 Bordeaux
We got a slighter later start to the ride today and left the Hotel at 945 am for the bike ride to Margaux for lunch at a restaurant situated adjacent to the tour de france time trial course.
We ended up doing 102 km along some beautiful back country roads circumventing Bordeaux. We got to Margaux at 1:30 and the TT was already underway with riders going by our street side table every two minutes.
It was a gorgeous sunny and warm day - after a cold beer upon arrival it was time to sit and enjoy the afternoon ringside to all the racing.
Our table was literally three feet from the street where the TT action was unfolding. We ordered a nice still rose bordeaux and settled in for lunch service which featured a three course meal including a full rack of lamb entree!!
The TT action was awesome watching the guys fly by at 45-50km
We all got up and waived Canadian flags when Lance went by as well when Garmin’s Ryder Hesjadal went by.
The last five riders all had low level flying helicopters following them along with cars and motorcycles. The loudest cheer along our area was for Andy Schlek.
Once the TT ended we headed back to Bordeaux by van and got back to
the Hotel at 530pm in time for some pool time before dinner at 8.
Our last dinner together with the group was casual relaxed and some fun toasts.
Off to bed early before an early train the next morning for Paris and the Tour de France finish line.
Day 10 Bordeaux to Paris
We rose early to catch the TGV train to Paris at 745am so as to be in position to watch the finish of the TDF along the Champs Elysées.
Even though we stopped a few times enroute we rolled into Paris at 11:30am and caught a taxi to our Hotel where we met up with Maddy and Kristen who had flown in that morning from Calgary to meet up with us for the next week of travel.
We had snagged some finish line grandstand tickets and walked about 20 minutes from our hotel up pass the Louvre along the river to our seats.
For the next couple of hours we watch all the excitement of the TDF finish as the peloton makes 8 laps of the 6km circuit on the cobbles of Paris’s most famous street including the Arc de Triomphe.
The guys passed our location twice each lap so we were standing on out feet for most of the last hour cheering on these amazing athletes. We also had the luxury of a gigantic TV monitor directly across from our position so we also could catch up on race developments that was being shown on French TV.
Once the race ended we made out way through the sea of humanity to do some shopping for TDF souvenirs and dinner before our 930pm Eiffel Tower elevator reservation.
The rest of our night was magical as the sky turned this puffy red cloud color as we made up to the top of the Eiffel Tower observation platform where we took pictures and even had a glass of champagne to celebrate the full moon night and where we were.
It was a long day but a good one and by the time we got back to our Hotel we were so ready for bed but also looking forward to the next days sight seeing tour of Paris.
Day 11 Paris
We were up early to be at the Louvre for a 10am entrance. We spent two hours doing a tour guided by an itouch type device we rented when we arrived-it was the only way to go as we caught a glimpse and heard background notes on all the famous masterpieces.
Then it was on to Notre Damn Cathedral, Ile de la Cite, then over one the bridge to the Latin Quarter and finally waking down the shops of rue de Saint Germain. Before heading back to the Hotel we caught a sightseeing boat for a 90 minute tour along the River Seine. It was nice we did this at the end of out Paris tour as it put everything into perspective. This famous river flows from east to west through the heart of the city and divides Paris's Left Bank and Right Bank.
A great dinner close to the Hotel and it was the end of a long but special day sharing Paris with Maddy and She.
Next up the R&R portion of the Holiday in the South of France.
Day 12 through 17 - Paris to St.Tropez via Aix-En-Provence
A TGV train took us non-stop the 850 Km from Paris to Aix-En-Provence in less than three hours.
Aix-En-Provence is a university town and incredibly beautiful with its main street lined by outdoor cafes, shops and on both sides by these beautiful over hanging trees.
We rented a van for the short 1 1/2 hour drive to the Mediterranean coast and the St Tropez area our home for the rest of the week. We arrived at the small yet beautiful Hotel L’Orangeraie near La Croix Valmer just in time for dinner and the start of a very relaxing few days before heading home on Sunday of the long weekend and back to reality.
