The Dutch turn is the most incredible experience of my life.
Do you also want to experience this immense happiness and are you looking for some information?
You will find what you need in this article (the most complete on the French-speaking internet on the subject):
Contents
How to get there?
The car is the best solution. When I arrived, the gendarmes were filtering the entrance to the Alpe, asking where we intended to stay. They spoke of an order, forbidding camping in the Alps, and of roadblocks. But this was not true.
Where to sleep?
You can of course find accommodation on airbnb or stay at a campsite down the Alpe, but if you really want to experience the full experience, camp right on the side of the road, on the Dutch bend.
If you make this choice :
Arriving at least 3 days before the stage, I respected this deadline and it was already complicated to find a place to park and a decent camping spot.
Park your car intelligently. Don't let it spill out onto the road, so that the gendarmes don't come and ask you to move it (I had to move my car and park it 2 km up the road). Keep your car close by, it will allow you to store your stuff and to have more space in your tent.
Set up your tent in a flat, shaded area. Even if you are in the mountains, it is possible to find flat surfaces, which are much more suitable and pleasant for sleeping, eating and preparing meals.
Shade is also important, as living in direct sunlight can be unpleasant. Think about taking a parasol and tarpaulins to create shade, if you lack it.
Where to eat?
In the Dutch bend there is a bar which, in addition to beers, also sells sandwiches. A ham and butter costs 4€.
Personally I had brought my provisions, fruit, tins and bread, only food that I could keep without a fridge.
There are a lot of campervans and campers with generators. You can easily bring perishable food and ask your neighbours to store it in their fridge.
Regarding littering, the regional council has bins all over the Alpe ascent and agents regularly come and empty them and distribute bin bags to campers.
Where to wash?
For all hygiene matters, there are public toiletsin the Dutchman's corner, next to the bar.
In front of the public toilets there is a water point with 4 taps and hoses for washing and refilling water.
If you don't like washing with cold water, you can use a solar shower.
What language do we speak?
The Dutch turn is in France, so you can speak French there, but it is mainly occupied by foreigners, so English will make it easier for you to talk.
How to get around?
Once you have parked your car, I advise you not to touch it again. A parking space is worth its weight in gold at this time of the year, in the Alp's ascent.
You still have some practical solutions:
On foot
By bus, there are free shuttles from 8am to 6pm that run between the foot of the climb and the Alpe d'huez resort. They stop on request.
The tour is a cycling festival, so take the opportunity to climb the Alpe, amidst the encouragement of enthusiasts.
What to do?
There is no shortage of activities:
You can take advantage of your stay to discover the resort of Alpe d'Huez in summer. You will find all the activities you can do on this site.
Personally, I advise you to live in the Dutch turn. There is no shortage of activities, you can:
Meet your neighbours, most come from other European countries and often stay for more than a week in the Alps.
Watching the stages, many campers have TV sets and invite campers to watch the stages with them.
Party at the open-air bar in the middle of the bend.
Feeding the cyclists who are climbing the Alps. There are thousands of cyclists who climb the Alp during the day and they greatly appreciate being encouraged or supplied with water.
See you soon on the roads of the tour.