Preparing For Your Trip
What Should I Bring?
Le Tour 24 is less than 2 months away, so we would like to give you some information to help you prepare for your trip and pack. We also ask that you provide us with your travel information, using the Google Doc in the link below. While considering what to take on your trip, you should keep in mind that the average temperature in July in the French Riviera ranges from to 28 – 31 degrees Celsius, or 80 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it may be cooler in the mountains and on descents, so please be sure to remember that as you’re packing. We will provide small bags to keep in the assistance vehicle for easy access to your extra cycling clothing during rest and support stops, and in the mountains.
General Packing List
This is a general checklist to help you pack for your trip.
- Comfortable clothing for after rides, light jacket
- Clothing for sightseeing and dining
- Pool/beach attire
- Sneakers, beach footwear, shoes for going out
- Glasses/sunglasses
- Passport, other ID card(s), insurance information
- Cash, credit cards, payment apps
- Mobile phone, GPS device, computer if needed
- Camera and/or phone camera, GoPro, etc.
- Charger for phone, computer, camera, GPS device, and adapters
- Toiletries, chamois cream, etc.
- Sunscreen, lip balm
- Medication, insect repellant, etc.
Included For All Participants
The following items and services are available for all our guests:
- Complementary bag
- Complementary laundry service:
- Laundry bag
- 3 cycling clothing washes
- 1 regular clothing wash
- Discounts with our partners
Cycling Clothing/Gear
It is generally very warm and sunny in July in the French Riviera, but it can be cooler in the mountains, so it is a good idea to pack a light rain/wind jacket and some warmer gear for descents.
- Bike (if you are not renting one)
- Helmet, pedals
- Shorts, leggings and/or leg warmers, base layers, jerseys, gloves
- warmer jacket or long-sleeved jersey, rain jacket, neck warmer, hat
- Cycling shoes, socks
- Cycling sunglasses
- Sunscreen, lip balm
- Any prescription medications, inhalers, etc.
- Rear safety light for your bike
Included For Cycling Participants
Our cycling participants will receive a welcome goodie bag with some useful (and fun) items inside – thanks in large part to our partners and sponsors!
- Complementary bag
- Azur Vélo + The Col Collective jersey
- Tubolito neck warmer
- Tubolito inner tube
- Tubolito water bottles
- Energy bars
Arrivals & Departures
We are arranging airport pick-up and drop-off for our group, so please click on the button below and provide your travel information as soon as possible on the Google Doc, so we can begin coordinating the schedule. There are a few people arriving by train – if that is the case, please provide your train information. If you don’t need a pick-up and/or drop-off, please provide your travel information anyway so we know when to expect you!
Important Arrival Information & 7/15 Schedule
Please take note of the information below regarding the first day of our tour and arrivals at the hotel. Some of you are arriving before July 15th, and others are arriving that day. When you arrive at the hotel, you can simply give your name to the receptionist and mention you are part of the Azur Vélo group. They will need an ID card and also a bank card in case there are any extras charged to your room.
Check-in is at 3:00 PM, but the hotel will do their best to check you in earlier if you arrive earlier. If you would like to get some lunch while waiting for check-in, you’ll have your pick of cafés if you walk towards the Port. Since everyone should be arriving by 2:00 PM, we’ll plan to be at the outdoor hotel patio from 2:00 – 3:30 PM. Please stop by to see us and say bonjour, and bring us your bike if you need help assembling it! If you have reserved a rental bike, we will help you set it up. We’ll aim for 4:00 PM for a short and very scenic spin from the hotel.
- Hotel Le Saint Paul
- 29 Blvd Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice
- Hotel: +33 (0)4 93 89 39 57
- Check-in: 3:00 PM
- Welcome Meeting: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
- Meeting at Hotel's Outdoor Patio
- Restaurants: at the Port
- Diana: +33 (0)6 74 23 82 45
- 4:00 PM - ride
Restaurant Recommendations
These restaurants are some of our favorites from different categories. Click on each link to access the restaurant information and phone number. Reservations are easy, as they can be made with a phone call (English is usually spoken) or via a reservation app from your phone.
These popular restaurants are not too expensive, within walking distance of our hotel, and usually have availability. However, during the busy Tour de France week it is a good idea to make reservations.
These gourmet and upscale restaurants and bars with stunning scenery require reservations. La Réserve, Le Plongeoir (in the photo) and the Club Nautique are right across from our hotel!
Our Partners & Sponsors for Le Tour 24
We are pleased to present our partners and sponsors for Le Tour 24, who have helped us out with discounts, merchandise and services to make your French Riviera cycling experience even better!
Each of our cycling participants will receive an S-Road Tubolito inner tube. They are the smallest and lightest road bike tube worldwide, with extremely low rolling resistance and the same strength as a standard butyl tubes! You will also receive some other Tubolito gifts in your goodie bag, as well as a voucher for future orders. Van Azur are our partners for fabulous and functional vans to provide support during Le Tour 24. Our custom kit is manufactured by Ale Cycling – one of the top cycling clothing brands in the world. We are also pleased to partner with DMT Cycling for excellent top quality shoes that also happen to be winning shoes of the Tour de France and the Giro! Cycles Camellini is our favorite local bike shop, and is offering our group a 10% discount on merchandise in the shop, and providing our rental bikes through Riviera Bike Hire.
Cycling Safety in France
Your safety is top priority while you’re cycling with us in the French Riviera! Please review the information below about road safety in France prior to your trip, and keep in mind that there will likely be more cyclists and vehicles than usual on the roads because of the Tour de France.
Cycling Safety Rules Specific to France / The French Riviera:
- Always give way other vehicles at an intersection with a ‘cédez le passage’ sign
- Always give way to traffic coming from your left at a roundabout
- Always cycle on the right hand side of the road
- A rear light is recommended as there are occasional passages through dark tunnels
- Never cycle more than two abreast when in a group
- Please keep a phone on you and make sure you have the Azur Vélo staff contact information
- If you need assistance from our staff, please let us know vocally or with a hand signal, or pull over and call us on the phone
- Never cycle on the motorways or anywhere you see a sign with a bicycle and a red circle around it (it means bicycles are strictly forbidden on that road)
- Signs with a bicycle and a blue circle around it indicate a bicycle path or a road where cyclists are allowed
- Be careful on departmental back roads and mountain roads that may not be as smooth or well-maintained as larger main/national roads. Also, there may be rocks/gravel on mountain roads – watch out for them, especially on downhills.
- Be careful, especially along the coastal roads, for passing motorcyclists and scooter riders
- Be careful while riding on the bike paths, as there are often pedestrians crossing the street who are unaware they are on a bike path, as well as other cyclists, children, motorized scooters, people walking dogs, etc.
- Be careful on narrow roads and be aware of oncoming/passing traffic. Some drivers do not stay far enough to the right around turns on narrow roads. As cyclists, we need to be cautious and aware at all times and stay to the right.
General Cycling Safety Rules:
- Always wear a helmet
- Always be alert and attentive
- Always carry ID, cash, food, tools for flat repair, phone, emergency & insurance information
- Always wear bright colored clothing and/or reflective gear when possible
- Always check the weather forecast for low and high elevation; dress appropriately and bring extra layers if needed
- Always observe local laws on the roads and bike paths
- Always leave a safe distance when following another rider
- Always leave a safe distance when behind a vehicle
- Always maintain a reasonable speed given road conditions, especially on descents
- Always come to a complete stop at a ‘stop’ sign or red light
- Never weave between cars
- Please don’t using your phone while cycling – we are happy to stop if you need to take/make a call or take photos!
