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So, we will be in France in July, and one of the stages sets off from a nearby town.
Anyone have any pointers on how we can make this work? What sort of timings and is there anywhere we can find official guidance (LeTour.fr maybe)?
The best guide is the official roadbook. It should be downloadable nearer the time from Velorooms. They always used to have their own website and a link to loads of roadbooks on a Google drive. They seem to have switched now to X. The road books gives details maps of starts finishes, the route plus detailed expected timings. But it won't be released until fairly near the actual start date.
Travel in and out of the town will be seriously restricted. Bike or walk to get there and plan to get there about 2-3hrs before the rollout. The roadbook (when it's available) will give full details of timings and the tourist info site for the town should have stuff on parking, spectator points, entry and exit routes. Towns really get behind it so they like to put on a bit of a show and it's a matter of civic pride to be well organised and welcoming.
Start towns are normally fairly organised, there's a set protocol of where riders are and need to be so they're easy to get close to. Finish town is more chaotic, riders being whisked off for podium or anti-doping and more spread out.
Take some food and drink - everywhere selling anything will be busy and probably a bit of a rip off.
Also take suncream, umbrella and general comfort stuff - fold out chairs are always worth it!
We've done it a few times - went to Paris last year for the finish which was good fun. Did a day or so of general tourist city break then we got a seat in a cafe on the Champs early on the final day and just stayed there. Cost a fortune in food and drink! The general "cafe on the Champs" inflated prices plus TdF plus probably a Bloody British Tourist Tax, it was something like £6 for a coffee, £10 for a beer! 😳
Was worth it though for the atmosphere and the riders stopped right outside the cafe after the finishing sprint so we got some good pics. Got interviewed for French TV as well!
Which town...which stage ?
It sometimes seems obvious where to go to spectate but someone may have local knowledge and give a better location.