Chamechaude Hike and Tour de France

Posted July 18, 2014

Yesterday we went down to Grenoble and visited the Musée de Grenoble. The art collection there was very impressive. From antiquity to modern art, we saw many amazing pieces including Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Manet, any many more that we are too clueless to list. Ty picked a beret up as a souvenir after the museum, then we did some groceries and headed back to the chalet.

Today was awesome!! Maybe top of the list. We started off with a beautiful hike up Chamechaude. This is one of the more prominent peaks in the area and the one we wake up to every morning. We were in a bit of a time crunch to get back down by 1:30 so we didn’t stay too long at the peak.

Once we got back to the car we did a quick change of clothes and walked down a kilometer or so to Col de Palaquis where the Tour de France was going to come by. The atmosphere was incredible, and the excitement built until the first rider came through. There was a caravan that started coming through about an hour before the first rider arrived. Every five minutes these crazy sponsor vehicles would drive by and throw souvenirs to the crowd. The boys got hats, key chains, candy, laundry soap, and a bunch of other stuff. It was pretty cool. Then the first rider came followed by a couple more, followed by the peleton. It was a great spot to watch from as they came over the col and started their downhill. Each rider was given some food and drink as they went over the top, and we got a great chance to see them make adjustments and start speeding up for the downhill.  After it was over the mood was still very festive as everybody headed back to their cars or to the nearest village.

Tomorrow is our last day in Grenoble. Sunday morning we head back to Paris for a couple of days before heading home. Hard to believe it’s almost over….
Thanks again for reading. Bonne nuit, et à demain!!