Tour de France is coming to Morzine…

We’re all at the edge of our saddles as we prepare for the Tour de France kicking off next month!  This high adrenalin race never fails to impress and always attracts huge international attention and Erna Low will be watching all the way round France… particularly when they hit Morzine on the 11th of July!
The ski resort will be going all out to welcome them especially as they are stopping for a couple of nights. We will have a front row seat in the beautiful Erna Low residence, L’Aiglon de Morzine, ideal located in the heart of Morzine right near all the action!

L'Aiglon de Morzine

The teams and their extensive entourages will be arriving in style on Sunday 11th of July as they conclude their 8th stage of the circuit, rest on the 12th and then set off again on Tuesday 13th of July for St Jean de Maurienne. Why not join the fun and book a week at Aiglon to watch all the action?

Tour fans lying in wait

Prices start at £183 per person for 7 nights at the Aiglon de Morzine, self catering basis in a one bedroom apartment for week commencing 10/07 for the Tour de France. Doesn’t include travel. Eurotunnel crossings can be added on request. Call the office now on 0845 863 0525 or email info@ernalow.co.uk. 

Don’t forget your yellow jersey!

The cyclists racing into Bourg St Maurice in summer 09

Le Tour comes to Bourg

Sappho packs herself off to Les Arcs to meet the cyclists coming in…

When we were told earlier this year that Bourg St Maurice had been named as the arrival town for the 16th stage of the Tour de France, we immediately started looking into our flights. So imagine our excitement when we heard that 14 teams of the Tour would be starting in our beloved Arc 1950… Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins included!

This called for some serious planning, not to mention an extra quick crash course on the world’s most watched race.
So I packed off, with a couple of journalists in tow, on Monday 20th July to Arc 1950, (Erna Low’s bestselling holiday destination as well the location for the Erna Low Property french office) and what a trip it was.
The village was looking its finest, the sun was shining, the cows were mooing and the whole village was buzzing with the knowledge that the cyclists fast approaching.

Les Maillots Jaunes proudly decorate sunny Bourg

On Tuesday 21st, after a morning of white water rafting from Bourg St Maurice to Moutiers along the Isere river, we took out seats in the ‘tribune’ seating area at the arrival in Bourg perfectly positioned under the big screen to watch the cyclists ride in from Verbier/ Martigny in Switzerland through La Thuile (Italy) and down from La Rosiere.
While ducking and diving for the freebies being hurled into the crowds, the crowds grew more and more excited at the cyclists descended. They made it look so effortless but we were reminded how dangerous it can be as one of them slipped coming down from La Thuile and had a nasty fall. Ouch!
Mikal Astarloza riding for the Euskatel Team was the first to come in with a time of 4h14m20s, swiftly followed by five other riders all making it 4h14m26s. For full table of results, please see here for the full results table.
The overall ranking was unaffected however with Contador (in the ‘Maillot Jaune’ for fastest overall time), Hushovd (in the ‘Maillot Vert’ for most points), Pellizotti (for most ‘climbing’ points), A. Schleck (fastest overall youth) and Astana (best overall team) still leading the way.
It was quick dash after the prize giving back up to Arc 1950 in order to beat the team’s trucks and entourage who would soon be making the slow climb. We sat in George’s Bar, drinking our beers in the sunset as we played cyclist celebrity spotting as they all made their way to their apartments. We saw Mark Cavendish making his way to Auberge Jerome and word on the village street was that Lance Armstrong was in Prince des Cimes and having dinner in Chalet Luigi that evening. Some of the Russian teams apparently travel with their own chefs to ensure a good nutrition but the rest were obviously out for the evening as the village restaurants were full to burst!
The village had relaxed their ‘pedestrian only’ policy for the evening as the streets where packed with the team trucks and thousands of pounds worth of bikes all strapped to the roofs of the branded cars.

Entourage in Arc 1950

After having breakfast in Le Brasserie 1950 on Wednesday 22nd, at the next table form Richard Virenque, the trucks and teams departed Bourg to commence the 17th stage of the circuit. The gruelling mountain stage from Bourg to Le Grand-Bornand through Beaufort, Megeve, Sallanches and Cluses. 
I now realise I hadn’t quite grasped how much more the Tour was than a few men crazy enough to cycle round a country but what it also means for the fans and the towns that welcome them. The buzz and excitement it brings with it is infectious and I can safely say I have been converted to a dedicated follower… now where’s the 2010 schedule?!

To view all the photos, become a fan on the Erna Low facebook page!

Sappho Barkla is the PR and Marketing Manager for Erna Low Holidays and Erna Low Property.

Summer stays are available in Arc 1950 from just £336 for a family of four in a luxury self catered apartment for 7 nights, includes free activity pass, self catering basis, no travel http://www.ernalowsummer.co.uk/ 0845 863 0525
Winter prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525