The countdown to the Tour begins today! The route was unveiled earlier this morning. Here it is: https://www.letour.fr/en/overall-route
Looks like they'll be spending a lot of time in northern France before swinging south the the Pyrenees. If you want to see the riders up close, it looks like Toulouse is your best bet; there's a rest day there and then the route starts and ends in the city. I'm very excited for the finish on Mont Ventoux!
I've been dreaming about seeing the Tour (and taking my kids) for a while, and this route looks pretty good. Maybe we fly into Amsterdam, explore a few days and then head to Lille. Do a day trip to Bruges (my youngest is suddenly obsessed with the idea of Belgian fries served in a cone with mayo - his favorite condiment). Then follow the Tour to Normandy and see the D-Day sites. Break off after the opening days and head to Alsace? Fly into Paris for two nights and then hit Normandy? Fly into Barcelona and then hit the Pyrenees? Toulouse and the Pyrenees? Brittany and then the Loire? The possibilities are endless (although I'm leaning towards the first two).
How about you? Are you now dreaming of a trip to France to see le Tour?