Traveler's Guide
Event Package
Travel documents
TWO WEEKS before the eventyou are registered for, you will receive the following documents by mail:
- The hiking guide, which includes daily route maps and a link to a website where you can find all the latest information about the event;
- Two numbered wristbands: one marked "MEAL," the other "LUGGAGE";
- A green wristband for participants who requested vegetarian meals;
- A white wristband for participants who have requested a gluten-free meal;
- If you have rented a tent, you will receive a luggage tag with the number of the tent assigned to you;
ONE WEEK before the event begins, you will receive an email containing:
- The GPX data for your route and last-minute details;
- The link to the newspaper *Le déchaîné* or *Le petit déchainé*, featuring all the details about the event.
If you have booked the "Sous la couette" package at Le Grand Tour, you will receive the following items on the FIRST DAY of the event:
- A numbered wristband bearing the inscription "REPAS";
- A luggage tag listing the hotels where you will be staying;
- The contact information for the hotels where you will be staying;
- Up-to-date information.
If you’ve booked the Grand Tour Day Trip, you’ll receive directions to the starting point via email one week before the event. On the morning of the event, please go to the INFO booth to pick up your wristband for the day.
Daily Routine
Your wristband: your vacation pass
To access all services provided as part of Vélo Québec’s event tours, each participant must wear their wristband at all times and ensure that the tag on their luggage is securely attached. No wristband, no services.
A typical day
With the Petite Aventure the Grand Tour, you're on vacation and can make the most of your day.
The support team hits the road at 6:30 a.m., and you can set out at your own pace and at a time that suits you. Please note, however, that if you set out outside the suggested times, we cannot guarantee assistance in the event of a problem.
Meals are planned based on the number of registered participants, and meal times are sufficiently spread out to manage the flow of people. Don’t worry—you’ll always find something to eat, whether you arrive at the lunch stop at 1:30 p.m. or want to have dinner at 8:00 p.m.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast
- 7:00–10:00 a.m.: Departure
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Lunch at the roadside diner
- 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Arrival at the stage town (until 6:00 p.m. during the Grand Tour)
- 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Dinner at the Village
- 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Bistro, activities, and entertainment at the Village
Luggage
Information and weight limits
During our cycling tours, Vélo Québec Voyages handles luggage transport from one stopover town to the next. We accept only one piece of luggage per person, including camping gear. We recommend using a waterproof bag to protect your personal belongings from rain, as luggage is stored outdoors. For the sake of both your back and that of our porters, please ensure your luggage weight complies with the following guidelines:
- 22 kg for the "Under the Stars" package
- 15 kg for the "Sous la couette" package (for the Grand Tour only)
On the Grand Tour, you must have your luggage weighed at departure, before loading it onto the trucks. Any excess weight must be returned to your vehicle. This weight limit must be adhered to throughout the trip.
At La Petite Aventure, it is just as important to adhere to this limit, although we will not be weighing luggage systematically at the time of departure. However, we reserve the right to refuse any luggage that exceeds acceptable limits. At La Petite Aventure, it is important to note that everyone enrolled in the family package, including children of all ages, is entitled to one piece of luggage. This allows for the distribution of gear and the balancing of the weight of each bag.
We invite you to check out the Practical Informationsection ↓for tips and advice on planning your trip and packing.
Luggage Handling Schedule
We’ll transport your luggage from one stopover city to the next. You can pick up your belongings upon arrival at the Village every day starting at 1:00 p.m.
Starting at 6 a.m. on mornings when we move to a new campsite, after you’ve taken down your tent and packed up your belongings, you must drop off your bag at one of the numbered trucks.
Valet service (subject to change)
To transport your bag from the parking lots to the start/finish area or from the campgrounds to the baggage trucks, sports teams and local organizations offer a valet service for $2 per bag. The money raised helps fund their activities.
Meal
Most meals are included in the “Sous les étoiles” packages for our themed tours. Please refer to the package you purchased for details on what’s included. While lunch is served at the rest stop, breakfast and dinner are always served at the Village.
Lunch Stop
Unless otherwise noted, lunch is served only at the lunch stop, which is clearly marked and indicated on the route maps. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the last cyclists arrive). Please note that cyclists who arrive before the lunch stop opens will not be able to receive their lunch upon arrival at their lodging under any circumstances.
At the rest stop, you’ll find restrooms, first aid services, water, and roadside assistance. Access to the rest stop and the services offered there is reserved exclusively for registered event participants.
Massage Therapy
After a great day of cycling, treat yourself to some relaxation by booking a 30- or 55-minute massage. You can book your appointment at the starting point or directly at the massage therapy room in each of the Villages. Fees apply.
Bicycle and Property Security
Although the Village is under surveillance all night, we strongly recommend that you lock your bicycle at all times. Lock two or three bikes together near your tent or to a fence if one is available. For obvious reasons of peace and quiet, we prohibit the use of bike alarms in the Village. Please remember that you are always responsible for your belongings during the event.
Visitors and recreational vehicles
Visitors—whether driving or cycling—are not permitted to follow you on the road or to the rest stop. However, you may welcome them for a few hours at the Village, where they may accompany you to the Bistro only. Please note that we cannot allow them to camp on the grounds or provide them with dinner, as these services are reserved exclusively for registered event participants.
The Village
La Petite Aventure Le Grand Tour are essentially a village on wheels, which we set up and take down every day (except when we stay in the same place for two nights). The Village serves as your campground, your starting point, and your base camp. At the Village, you have access to a wide range of services: bike repairs, first aid, massage therapy (for a fee), and more.
Among the various activities offered at the Village are a movie theater, yoga sessions, local specialties, and snacks. Every day, you can also enjoy a wide range of activities. Petite Aventure to La Petite Aventure a variety of entertainment and activities for children of all ages. To view the schedule, check out the digital newsletter *Le déchaîné*.
Tourist Information Booth
For information on the daily schedule, activities offered at the Village, and the services available to you, please visit the information booth located in each Village.
At the tourist information kiosk, you can get information about the town and its attractions (beaches, parks, restaurants, museums, historic sites, outdoor activities, etc.). Be sure to stop by to discover all the surprises and little treats our hosts have in store for you, and to sign up for any activities that are available.
Mechanical kiosk
During events, we work closely with a team of experienced mechanics. Every day at the Village, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at La Petite Aventure) and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., they can fix minor issues (free of charge, except for parts) or major issues (charges apply for labor and parts). Note that you can also inflate your tires at the mechanical kiosk.
The Unchained
Le Déchaîné is the official digital newsletter for the Grand Tour, while you’ll find Le Petit Déchaîné during the Petite Aventure. Published one week before your event and updated right up until the start, it includes the latest news about the route (including any changes or must-see spots), activities, and the evening menu at the Village.
Bistro and wine bar
Starting at 1 p.m., the Bistro is the place where travelers gather. Here, they chat about the day’s adventures and unwind with a drink. The scene also comes alive in the evening with live bands or DJs. In the dining room, you can enjoy the carefully curated selection of wines offered at the wine bar every day.
Campground
There are clearly marked sections for early risers (before 7 a.m.) and late risers (after 7 a.m.). La Petite Aventure also features a “family” section. No matter which section you camp in, quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Rental tents are set up and grouped together in one area of the campground.
We also reserve a small section of the campground for our employees, cycling instructors, and volunteers. Most of them stay up late and get up at the crack of dawn. Finally, please note that recreational vehicles are not permitted on Village grounds.
Restrooms and showers
You have access to the showers and restrooms at the venues where the Village is set up, as well as to two Festidouches—shower trailers—which are available daily on the Village grounds. Portable restrooms are also provided in the camping areas.
On the road
You are driving on the road network, and the roads are open to traffic. So, please drive carefully!
Traffic Safety Code
As a road user, you are subject to the Highway Safety Code. You must:
- Obey traffic signs and signals (traffic lights, stop signs, etc.)
- Drive on the right side of the road, in the direction of traffic
- Driving in single file
- Equip your bike with the required reflectors
- Make sure you have a working lighting system (white light in the front, red light in the back) if you plan to drive at night
We’ve noticed that some cyclists take up too much space on the road, riding three or four abreast. This makes it harder for our support vehicles to do their job and compromises everyone’s safety. Not to mention that it doesn’t exactly win us any favor with law enforcement. Please keep this in mind. Also, be mindful of cyclists who are riding slower than you.
If you’re bringing your children to La Petite Aventure, teach them the basics of bicycle safety and make sure they ride close to you.
Signage and optional routes
Traffic signs
The route is clearly marked so you can easily find your way. Our signs will let you know where the lunch stop is. Some signs point out restrooms and water stations. Please note that all support vehicles along the route always carry water. Feel free to flag them down if you need anything.
Last-minute detours may occur, particularly due to unexpected roadwork or poor road conditions. If this happens, we will notify you using signs marked “DETOUR.”
Elective tracks
Every day, you have the option to go the extra mile by taking optional routes. These routes allow you to see magnificent sights or panoramic views, but they involve a longer ride or a higher level of effort. They are therefore intended for cyclists who really want to push themselves. Please note that they are marked only at turns and that patrols are less frequent along these routes. However, using the maps in your tour booklet or your route on theRide with GPS app, you should have no trouble finding your way.
Good citizenship and courtesy on the road
Every year, many municipalities and their residents welcome us along our routes with warmth and enthusiasm. To ensure we leave a good impression, we ask that you always act responsibly and courteously on the road. A beautiful apple tree, a shaded flower bed, or a garden hose may be tempting, but they undoubtedly belong to someone. Please respect private property.
Need help?
Need help? Give us a thumbs-down!
If you need help, give us a clear thumbs-down as we pass by. Vehicles marked with the organization’s logo and certified cycling guides—who can be identified by the red flag attached to their bikes—are stationed along the entire route. Our vehicles are connected via communication systems, allowing us to respond quickly and provide assistance.
If you’re unable to finish the day’s ride, you can hop on the support vehicle with your bike. Don’t hesitate to use this option if you encounter a serious problem.
Children who give up along the way
If a child under the age of 12 withdraws from the race, they must be accompanied by a parent in the support vehicle.
Certified cycling coaches from Vélo Québec
Vélo Québec’s certified cycling guides are travelers selected for their proven skills in first aid, bicycle mechanics, and road cycling instruction. Through their dedication, these cycling guides combine a spirit of camaraderie with the joy of travel.
IMPORTANT: Insurance Coverage
It is your responsibility to arrange adequate insurance coverage for your luggage, your bicycle, and trip cancellation insurance. Vélo Québec Voyages assumes no liability for any loss, theft, or damage to your luggage and personal belongings (including your bicycle) throughout your trip, including during the transport of your bicycle by our services, if applicable. Please note that many home insurance companies cover property damaged or stolen outside the home. Check with your insurer.
Practical Information
Planning your cycling trip carefully will help ensure you have an enjoyable experience. Vélo Québec has some tips to help you make the most of your vacation!
Luggage
Choose your piece of luggage
Keep in mind that the ideal piece of luggage is lightweight and easy to handle, both for you and for our baggage handlers.
Tip: When choosing your luggage, weigh it to ensure you select the lightest options.
If you’re camping, opt for a duffel bag—without wheels or a rigid frame—with a capacity of about 100 liters and sturdy handles that can support a maximum weight of 22 kg when full.
If you're staying at a hotel, opt for a wheeled suitcase that weighs no more than 15 kg when packed
Identify and label your luggage
Please write your name, address, and phone number on it. And don’t forget: we will only transport it if it has the “luggage” tag attached.
Keep your luggage dry
Due to the large amount of luggage and the space required to store it when we arrive at a stopover town, luggage is always left outside, rain or shine. That’s why it’s important to place your clothes, personal belongings, sleeping bag, and tent in several waterproof plastic bags before packing them into your luggage.
Cycling Tourism Toolkit
Vélo Québec shares more tips and tricks in its Touring Bike Toolkit.
There you will find:
Additional Services
Tent Rental Services
Tent number and baggage identification
Two weeks before the event, you will receive a luggage tag bearing the number of the tent assigned to you for the duration of your stay. Only luggage bearing this tag will be transported in the trucks designated for the tent rental service.
Tent availability and luggage delivery
On each travel day, the tents are available at 1:00 PM. Your luggage will be placed inside your tent. On each travel day to a new stopover city, you must vacate your tent by 9:30 AM at the latest. It will be available again starting at 1:00 PM, and your luggage will be inside. The rental tents are set up and grouped together in one area of the campground. Please note that the tents are not designed to store your bike. Please lock it up outside.
Daily luggage transport
At the starting point, drop off your luggage at one of the two designated cargo vans marked for the tent rental service. On each day of travel, the tent rental service team will be on site starting at 6:30 a.m. On sunny days, you must leave your luggage outside your tent, in front of the door. Luggage will be collected on site by the tent rental service team. On rainy days, you must leave your luggage inside the tent (door and screen closed) and notify the tent rental service team on site when your luggage is ready to be picked up (please provide your tent number).
"Under the Duvet" Package at Le Grand Tour
(This package is not available for the Petite Aventure)
At check-in on the first day of the event, you will receive a list of participating hotels and their contact information, as well as a personalized tag with your name on it, indicating your hotel assignment for the week. This same tag will be attached to your luggage tag.
You will also receive all the details regarding shuttle services to hotels, breakfasts, and bike storage at the Village, if applicable. All hotels booked by the Grand Tour will be listed on the route maps included in the hiking guidebook, which you will receive two weeks before the event.
Accommodation
The “Grand Tour Sous la Couette” package includes lodging—typically at a motel, hotel, inn, or bed-and-breakfast—which varies from one stopover town to the next, depending on the regions visited. You’ll usually stay a few kilometers from the Village. You can easily locate your lodging on the route maps in the hiking guidebook and follow the signs leading you there.
What about your bike? You can leave your bike in your room overnight or in a secure area designated for that purpose. We strongly recommend that you keep it locked at all times.
Baggage handling
We transport your luggage from one hotel to another. Your bag will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel. On mornings when we move to a new destination, please leave your bag at the location indicated to you on site. Only luggage marked with the appropriate label will be transported from one location or hotel to another.
Check-in at the hotel and departure
Rooms are generally available starting at 3 p.m., sometimes 4 p.m. Please check in at the hotel before 10:00 p.m., as some hotels do not offer reception or key pickup services after that time. When checking out of the hotel, you must return your key to the front desk and settle any charges for items and services purchased at the hotel (e.g., phone calls, minibar, etc.).
Breakfast
When a hotel does not offer dining services, breakfast is served at a nearby restaurant and, in some cases, at the Village du Grand Tour. You will find the appropriate vouchers in the envelope provided at check-in. Breakfasts
served at the hotel restaurant are usually served between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Information Board
A bulletin board at your hotel’s front desk provides the following information:
- The location where you can pick up your luggage;
- Where to leave your luggage when you depart;
- Where to store your bike;
- The location and time of breakfast;
- The schedule and details of the shuttle buses to the Grand Tour Village;
- Activities at the Grand Tour Village;
- Messages from the organization, if any.
Shuttle service between the village and the hotel
Shuttle buses run daily between your hotel and the Village. In some cases, due to the distance between certain hotels and the Grand Tour Village, a bike storage area may also be set up at the Village. You will receive further details when you check in. The complete schedule will also be posted on the information board at your hotel. Each municipality also has a taxi service, and contact information is available at the information kiosk and at the hotel.