2023-07-20 14:14:10
Official host of the Tour de France, present on the most famous race in the world since 2019, Logis Hotels is one of the 33 brands appearing in the parade of the caravan. On stage 15, between Les Gets Les Portes du Soleil and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, comfortably installed on the sign’s float, I was able to experience an exceptional day in immersion. A rolling walkabout in a postcard-perfect alpine setting.
A team in unison, dynamic and enthusiastic. ©David Savary
It is a little before 8:00 p.m. on this Sunday andsunny July 16. Vehicles with the Logis Hotels logo park in front of the Cit’Hôtel le National in Cluses. Today’s stage is over. The owners of the establishment, Mr and Mrs Markowiez, have planned a small reception for all the caravanners of the hotel brand managed by Karim Soleilhavoup, a total of a dozen people. At their head Paul Thiercé, on the Tour since 2010 and at the controls of the Logis Hotels convoy since the arrival of the brand on the Grande Boucle in 2019.
“We are living in incredible times”
Despite the frantic pace at each of the 21 stages of the Grande Boucle, the mood is joyful and the tone playful. “The Tour de France, I love it. We are living incredible moments,” says Paul, who without being a cycling enthusiast, finds fabulous that “everyone is in tune with a traveling event with so many constraints”. Meticulous organization and ultra-precise timing where everyone plays an essential role.
Dinner ain’t over yet the manager potash the thick spiral roadbook, “the bible”, the road book which lists the routes for each stage. Changes can occur at the last minute. You have to take care of everything. “I have to make sure that refueling is done at the right time and at the right stations. I also have to take care to optimize the sleep and recovery time of my teams. I am the guarantor of living well together” proclaims the caravan leader with a big smile.
Caravan leader Paul Thiercé checks the last details on his roadbook. ©David Savary
A little animation to greet the staff of the hotels on the course
After the meal, a short briefing is improvised in the hotel lobby. Departure times are defined. Dedications to hoteliers too. This year, more than 100 group hotels are located less than 3 kilometers from the course. « At each stage, we have a minimum of three establishments that are directly on the race route. We are planning a little activity to greet the staff, and we are entertaining the public all around,” adds Paul Thiercé, who is playing the role of an orchestra conductor responsible “in the shadows, to grease the wheels for that everything goes well “.
Early in the morning, around 7 a.m., the actors of the Logis Hotels caravan set off to reach the caravan parking lot. To do this, you must pass through the “PPO”, a Mandatory Passage Point allowing access to the departure village in the resort of Les Gets. The Logis caravan consists of five vehicles (a tank, three cars and an RP vehicle). They are prepared and cleaned daily. Dressed in the colors of the brand, the whole team is ready. Before setting off on the roads of the day’s stage, all the caravaneers – nearly 600 people in total – sway their hips to music following a choreography orchestrated by Hugues, the leader of the Krys tank. A ritual that gives fishing. Meanwhile, Paul, his roadbook still in hand, makes a final briefing with the other caravan leaders. The organizer ASO is present and recalls “the points of vigilance, in particular on the urban routes”.
It’s a little past 11 a.m. The caravanners clap their hands and wish each other a good stopover. Positioned behind the X-Tra detergent, the Logis Hotels convoy takes its place in the procession of some 150 vehicles. A first car, a Mini surmounted by a mini-hotel opens the brand’s fashion show. Follows behind the flagship element, the tank. And then, two other Minis, one carrying a giant waiter, and the other equipped witha huge pillow that makes you want to curl up in it. The publicity caravan sets off on average two hours before the passage of the runners. This festive and colorful parade is often more anticipated than the champions of the little queen.
A convoy that does not go unnoticed. ©David Savary
Vehicles drive in staggered rows, people send you kisses
Crossing the resort of Les Gets, we immediately measure the fervor generated by the passage of the caravan. A compact and noisy mass cheers you on. People on the balconies of the chalets send you kisses. It provides crazy energy. On the float piloted by Jean-Paul, David the host gives voice and electrifies the crowds. The four vehicles drive in staggered rows to distribute goodies on both sides of the road. Nina, Juliette, Mathilde, Alice, Grégory, Guillaume or Yankel get busy. Student, construction engineer and even executive at the Banque de France, all took their time to vibrate to the rhythm of the event. They hold their place there, and for sure they will come back next year. “We receive an average of 1,000 CVs each year. We select only 25 candidates to ultimately retain only 4” says Paul Thiercé. That is to say if the places are coveted. Whatever the position in the caravan, know that you need at least three years of license to apply. Being smiling, having the Bafa and a common work experience is a real plus. “To create harmony and cohesion in the team, you need young people, old people and experienced people” summarizes Jean-Paul the tank driver.
After greeting the representatives of the Logis Mont Blanc Hotel Rest. 280 in Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny near BonnevilleDavid with his headband microphone challenges at kilometer 43 Marc, Solène and Amaury du Logis Hotel la Chaumière Saint-Maurice in Fillière. They are even entitled to a holà. The village is in unison. Fleeting moment of happiness that will remain engraved in the memories. “I have been approached by other brands but I like the values of Logis Hotels. The terroir, this proximity to our customers with a real network of the territory” confides Paul Thiercé.
Thousands of hands reach out hoping to receive a gift
Spectators in jubilation and great popular fervor at the passage of the caravan. ©David Savary
We are in July, it is Sunday. It’s hot. On the road, the party is total. Perfume of holidays… Young, old, rich, poor…, thousands of hands reach out hoping to receive a gift. At Logis, we deliver a few hats but above all we distribute 100% recyclable luggage tags. More than 350,000 during the three weeks of racing. Hidden among these eco-responsible goodies, “golden tickets” entitle you to a reduction worth 50 euros to spend in the Logis Hotels of your choice.. There are only ten a day. David knows how to arouse the curiosity of the public.
Superb panoramas like here a bird’s eye view of Lake Annecy. ©David Savary
The caravan meanders on the winding roads of the Col de la Forclaz. Below, the turquoise waters of Lake Annecy. The view is breathtaking, the panorama grandiose. And there are always so many people. We beg for bobs. The hosts and hostesses continue their distribution of goodies. The gesture is mastered. It is rather necessary to aim between the legs to not hurt anyone, and at ground level Frisbee style to prevent small objects from returning to the road. Safety first. We don’t distribute at a standstill in order to avoid crowds and we don’t do it either in certain protected areas (Natura 2000, national parks, nature reserves, etc.) crossed by the race. The sound system is also muted.
©David Savary
“The bells of Haute-Savoie are out, you can be proud”
We are at an altitude of more than 1,100 m and we cross the summit of the Col de la Forclaz in a joyous cacophony. “Hello, hello”, “Hello lovers”, “the bells of Haute-Savoie are out, you can be proud”, David assures and continues to boast “the 171 kilometers of good humor, sharing and conviviality” delivered this Sunday, July 16 by Logis Hôtels. A little further on, a herd of cows having escaped the vigilance of their owner crosses the road and splits the caravan in two. More fear than harm. Everything falls into place fairly quickly. Paul is in constant contact with his drivers. It is also related to Jupiter 1 and Jupiter 2, the ASO vehicles that frame the publicity caravan. Useful to prevent in case of unforeseen, of a danger, of a disrespectful behavior of certain individuals. It may indeed happen that some people who are a little too excited want to get on the float. Or spray you with beer. Bikers from the gendarmerie and the GIGN are part of the convoy. It’s reassuring. Nothing is left to chance.
In Manigod, everything is beautiful; and on the road a football atmosphere. ©David Savary
“Mathieu sells chickens, three euros each”
The kilometers pass and the pleasure remains. We never tire. And we also have fun with the creativity of some spectators from all over Europe. Here a radar man, further on a man disguised as a dragon. On quite a few stages, we find ” The devil “ who hops in all directions with his pitchfork. Or this austere-looking man who claims via a sign that the earth is flat. Along the road, puns flourish: “Go Alain Philippe”, “You’re beautiful Pinot”, “Nadège Pogacar”, “Mathieu sells chickens, three euros each”…
It is a mountain stage. Motorhomes are numerous. Bringing with them their collection of cycling jerseys and their good smell of barbecue. Polka dot jerseys are legion. Note the presence of Breton flags. Necessarily. Also Norman banners, Flanders… Banners to say hello to Grandma or to ask his sweetheart in marriage are brandished. The roadside is variegated and colorful. In sometimes surprising outfits, the fans let their joy explode at being there. They do everything to get noticed. Jean-Paul sees them. He plays the horn. Later, the smell of hay invades us, bringing back old memories here. This is France. That’s the magic of the Tour.
Jean-Paul, driver as friendly as he is experienced. ©David Savary
The road opens at the last moment
“Logis Hotels, there is something for all your desires” sends the sound system. To promote the brand, David does not hesitate to blackmail people on the side of the road. And it works. The “Golden Ticket” operation continues to be in full swing. We’ve been riding for more than four hours and it’s still the same fervor in the Col de la Croix Fry. The road opens at the last moment. As always on the climbs, hordes of spectators stir as the caravan passes. The technical break or pee break is limited to 4 minutes. As David puts it, in the form of a news flash, “the distribution is temporarily interrupted”. By the time a biker from the gendarmerie puts us back in line and brings us back to our place at high speed. On the descents, it’s quite exhilarating.
Before reaching the rise of Bettex in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, the convoy takes a diversion route. It’s time for me to get off the chariot. Thibaud Georges, project manager at the event agency Novabox, picks me up and takes me directly to the guest area at the foot of the finish line. A cup in hand, I can follow the end of the race on giant screens. And see the runners cross the line very closely. The dream ! Dutchman Wout Poels wins this legendary stage. Behind the favorites the Danish Jonas Vingegaard and the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar neutralize each other…
The White Jersey Tadej Pogacar and the Yellow Jersey Jonas Vingegaard never leave each other. ©David Savary
The publicity caravan, this big family
The runners see nothing of the caravan. As caravanners are often unaware of the race. Two parallel but intimately linked worlds that make the success of the Tour de France. Let’s not forget that this event is the third most watched sporting event in the world behind the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup.
The day is not over. The tank must return to the technical parking lot where the tank carrier is located. The other vehicles move towards the Logis Hotels La Croix de Savoie in Carroz d’Arraches. Facing the mountain, the place is idyllic. “We are lucky to be systematically accommodated in establishments of the group, “we eat well, we sleep well, and it’s very friendly” summarizes Paul Thiercé from the magnificent terrace of the establishment. As it’s rest the next day, a small party is planned with other brands of the caravan in a nearby hotel. Because yes the caravan is like a big family. People know each other and like each other. The fiesta will continue until late at night. A breather for Paul who for once has left his roadbook aside.
A moment of peace and happiness shared in the setting sun of Les Carroz d’Arraches. ©David Savary
Logis Hotels in figures
A superb experience in the company of David, the organizer of the Logis Hôtels float. Six brands (Logis Hôtels, L’Exception Logis, Auberge de Pays, Cit’Hôtell, Châteaux & Residences, Urban Style). 75 years of experience.More more than 2,200 hotels in eight countries (France, Germany, Andorra, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Canada).Leading group of restaurateurs – independent hoteliers in Europe.15% of the French hotel industry.More than 40,000 rooms.1 800 restaurants including 70 distinguished tables. 212.7 million euros in turnover in 2022.
In the caravan:
Five vehicles, including a tank.350,000 goodies distributed.More than 200 “Golden Tickets” to be found.12 people in the caravan.100 Logis Hotels near the Grande Boucle this year.Since 2019, Logis Hotels has hosted nearly 55 teams within its establishments.
More information on Logis Hotels and the Tour de France ici.
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