Andorra, 'the Country of the Pyrenees', will welcome the Tour de France in 2016, hosting three days of the world-renowned sporting event seven years after its last visit.

Setting off on July 2nd 2016 from Le Mont-Saint-Michel in La Manche, France, the 103rd Tour de France will spend three days in Andorra, with a stage finish, a rest day and a stage start. It will be the Tour's fifth stopover in the Principality, after previous visits in 1964, 1993, 1997 and 2009.

The announcement was made by Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, Francesc Camp, Minister for Tourism of Andorra, and Betim Budzaku, general manager of Andorra Turisme, in a move that is set to showcase Andorra as a world-class cycling and activity destination more so than ever before.

Nestled on the border of France and Spain in the heart of the Pyrenees, the Principality of Andorra has been chosen as a host destination for the 2016 Tour thanks to its combination of mountainous terrain, beautiful landscapes and the quality of accommodation options across the country. With 65 peaks over 2,000m high, Andorra's role in the Tour's 2016 edition will put more emphasis on the value of the mountain and high-altitude cycling, according to Prudhomme.

Francesc Camp, Minister for Tourism of Andorra, says “The arrival of the Tour de France, one of the most important and publicised sporting events in the world, will reinforce Andorra's status as a leading destination for mountain sports, as well as highlight the beauty and diversity of the country's landscape. We also expect the number of overnight stays to increase during the month of July next year in Andorra, since the Tour attracts approximately 5,000 people each year. With the Tour, 2016 is set to be a year of big events for the Principality as we will also be a host of the 2016 Women's Ski World Cup.”

Ahead of the 2016 race, the 2015 Vuelta a España (The Tour of Spain) will head to Andorra on 2nd September for the 11th stage, billed as its queen stage.

The entire route of the 2016 Tour de France will be revealed on 20th October in Paris.

Getting There:
There is a regular shuttle service to Andorra from Barcelona and Toulouse airports, which are served by airlines from multiple regional UK airports several times a day throughout the summer.

EasyJet offers return flights from London Gatwick to Barcelona and Toulouse in July from £64 and £70 respectively.  www.easyjet.com 

Airport shuttle buses with Novatel to Andorra La Vella are from £50 return www.andorrabybus.com

Staying There:
Hotel rates in Andorra in July are from £40 for a double room. Check availability and prices on visitandorra.com/en/where-to-sleep/

Accommodation with the cycling symbol is particularly bike-friendly, offering an enclosed space to store bikes with an individual security system, as well as an area to clean bikes with an air pump. They have longer breakfast hours and meals and picnics designed for cyclists.

Cycle There:
One day mountain bike hire in Andorra is around 25€. See visitandorra.com/en/what-to-do/andorra-in-the-summer/cycle-touring-and-mtb 

Cycling Holiday Package:
Cycling specialists, Singletrack Safari, offers 'Andorra Altitude', a luxurious mountain biking holiday hosted by Andorra's foremost guides, which explores the country's finest trails and gets deep into the mountains. Priced from £600 per person based in a 4* hotel on B&B basis, the package include transfers from Barcelona airport, five days of guided riding, coaching from highly qualified English-speaking staff, technical support and free photography. Available between June and September. www.singletracksafari.com/andorra-altitude  / 07818 085590 or 01453 542377

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For more information or further enquiries please visit www.VisitAndorra.com or contact Georgina Oakley or Sarah Johnson at Lotus UK
Email Georgina@lotus-uk.co.uk / Sarah@lotus-uk.co.uk or call 0207 953 7470

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