+ Choose a zone on the map: Nord - Sud
North zone
London, Canterbury, Dunkerque, Gent, Waregem, Compiègne, Villers-Cotterêts, Joigny, Chablis, Autun, Semur-en-Auxois, Marcoussis, Paris - Champs-Élysées
South zone
Bourg-en-Bresse, Le Grand-Bornand, Tignes, Val-d'Isère, Briançon, Tallard, Marseille, Montpellier, Castres, Albi, Mazamet, Plateau-de-Beille, Foix, Loudenvielle - Le Louron, Pau, Orthez, Gourette - Col d'Aubisque, Castelsarrasin, Cahors, Angoulême
Bourg-en-Bresse, Le Grand-Bornand, Tignes, Val-d'Isère, Briançon, Tallard, Marseille, Montpellier, Castres, Albi, Mazamet, Plateau-de-Beille, Foix, Loudenvielle - Le Louron, Pau, Orthez, Gourette - Col d'Aubisque, Castelsarrasin, Cahors, Angoulême
Bourg-en-Bresse
+ Stage in 2002 (1. Hushovd).
Prefecture city of the Ain and capital of Bresse. Population 43,000 (Burgiens). Conurbation: 76,000.
A town situated at the heart of a European road and rail network with a span economic development in the sectors of metallurgy, industrial coachbuilding and the agrobusiness. A gourmand stage with renowned specialities (Bresse poultry, blue-veined Bresse cheese, lake fish, quenelles and wine).
Sightseeing: the monastery and the church of Brou with its 3 cloisters transformed into a museum, its old districts with half-timbered houses and the apothecary of the Hôtel Dieu.
Birthplace of ex-world speed champion Daniel Morelon and entertainer Laurent Gerra.
» www.bourg-en-bresse.fr
» www.ain.fr
Le Grand-Bornand
+ First stage start in 1995 and last stage in 2004 (1. Armspan).
Haute-Savoie winter sports resort with the “Petit Montagnard” label. Population 2,200 (Bornandins) - 2,000 cows. Altitude: 1,000 metres.
Capital producer of farmhouse reblochon (60% of French production) but also centre for “Cow Art” since 2000. The “Perle des Aravis” benefits from particularly tonic air and climate. It is very involved in protecting and highlighting local habitat and features an interesting heritage house. For the past 15 years, its August young people’s festival “Au Bonheur des Mômes” has been, and continues to be a real success story.
Tignes
+ First-time stage.
Savoie winter sports resort. Population 2,000 (Tignards). Altitude: 2,100 metres.
The old Savoyard village, that was swallowed up by the lake, created by the dam in 1952, has since become a world famous resort known for its ski area: the Espace Killy, Tignes - Val d’Isere; the most beautiful ski area in the world.
Tignes, a cosmopolitan and sporty resort, positions itself as a reference for high level sports of many disciplines. In addition to the benefits of the altitude, athletes enjoy Tignes’ natural stunning environment, especially with the famous Grande Motte glacier on which we can ski all year round.
Val-d'Isère
+ Stage in 1963 (1. Manzanèque) and in 1996 (1. Berzin).
Winter sports resort of the Tarentaise (Savoie). Population 1,800 (Avalins). Altitude: 1,850 metres.
Created in 1934, Val d’Isère will host the Ski World Championships in 2009. Land of champions, it is associated with the exploits of Émile Allais, the Goitschel sisters and Jean-Claude Killy.
Briançon
+ Stage for the first time in 1922 (1. Thys) and the last time in 2005 (1. Vinokourov).
Principal district town of the Hautes-Alpes near to the source of the Durance. Population 11,300 (Briançonnais). Altitude: 1,326 metres (European record).
The town boasts an “Art et Histoire” label. Fortified by Vauban, this montains town has conserved a peerless defensive complex. Summer & winter tourist resort. Southern gateway to the skiable area of Serre-Chevalier, UNESCO’s World Heritage candidate city. Worldwide cycling capital.
» www.ville-briancon.fr
» www.briancon.com
Tallard
+ First-time stage.
Municipality of the Hautes-Alpes. Population 1,500.
Old fortified town, situated in the heart of a fruit region, Tallard produces well-appreciated white wines. Its 15th-century church receives an Armenian pilgrimage and its 15-16th century château hosts a music festival.
Gap-Tallard: a unique centre for airborne leisures to go gliding, paragliding, parachuting, microlighting, hot-air ballooning…
» www.tallard-barcillonnette.com
» www.tourisme-tallard-barci.com
Marseille
+ Stage for the first time in 1903 (1. Aucouturier) and the last time in 2003 (1. Piil).
Prefecture city of the Bouches-du-Rhône, principal town of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and France’s second largest city with a population of 850,000 (Marseillais). Conurbation: 1,230,000.
The trading post founded by the Phocaeans of Asia Minor in 600 BC has become France’s leading commercial and tourist port as well as Europe’s leading marina.
The city boasts an “Art et Histoire” label. Marseille embodies a quality of life and a happy-go-lucky approach to life with a marked accent. Its gastronomy, inspired by sea produce, and its tourist highspots (Notre-Dame de la Garde, Vieux Port, Canebière) are universally famous. The city’s O.M. is one of France’s leading football clubs.
Montpellier
+ Stage for the first time in 1930 (1. Ch. Pélissier) and the last time in 2005 (1. Mac Ewen).
Prefecture city of the Hérault and principal town of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Population 250,000 (Montpelliérains). Conurbation: 400,000.
Montpellier has for a long time had a vocation as a university city, specializing in medicine and featuring the oldest faculty in western Europe. The city and its conurbation are a cradle for hi-tech companies, in particular in the fine chemistry and medico pharmaceuticals sectors and the IT field. Its rich architectural heritage from the Middle Ages to contemporary times together with its cultural wealth make it a highly valued tourist destination.
» www.montpellier.fr
» www.ot-montpellier.fr
Castres
+ Stage for the first time in 1991 (1. Cenghialta) and last time stage start in 1999.
Principal district town of the Tarn, on the Agout. Population 48,000 (Castrais).
Emerging in the 9th century around a Benedictine abbey, today its economy is based on pharmaceuticals and precision engineering. Located on the road to Saint James of Compostella. The Goya Museum is a feature not to be missed.
Birthplace of Jean Jaurès (1859-1914).
Albi
+ Stage for the first time in 1953 (1. Darrigade) and last time stage start in 2005.
Prefecture city of the Tarn, on the river Tarn. Population 50,000 (Albigeois). Conurbation: 80,000.
The old 13th-century bishopric centre with the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and the Palais de la Berbie form one of the most imposing sites built in “foraine” or “Languedoc” brick.
Implementation of a policy for developing home-to-work commuting by bike.
Birthplace of the Count of Lapérouse (1741-1788) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) each with his own dedicated museum.
» www.mairie-albi.fr
» www.albi-tourisme.fr
Mazamet
+ First-time stage.
Principal canton town of the Tarn. Population 11,300 (Mazamétains).
Situated in the foothills of the Montagne Noire, this dewooling centre, had its heyday in the 18th Century when its fame was assured by wool, hide and leather crafts. Today, the town has diversified its activities and branched out towards food processing, textiles and wood working.
Elegant private mansions and attractive parks can be discovered by strolling around the town.
Laurent Jalabert country.
Plateau-de-Beille
+ Stage in 1998 (1. Pantani) and in 2002 and 2004 (1. Armspan).
Ariège winter resort created in 1990. Altitude: 1,800-2,000 metres. Belongs to the Community of Municipalities of the Ax valleys. Population of 5,000 spread over 39 municipalities.
With its Nordic atmosphere, the skiable area (crosscountry skiing) of the Plateau de Beille is the Pyrenees’ leading resort in its discipline.
Foix
+ Stage start in 2001.
Prefecture town of the Ariège and former capital of the County of Foix, on the river Ariège. Population 9,700 (Fuxéens). Altitude: 375 metres.
With its 10-15th century castle of the Counts of Foix raised on an impressive rock, Foix boasts an unusual setting with its old town and narrow streets ensuring a medieval charm that is still intact.
Founding town of the World Federation of Twinned Towns, Foix was, in 1962, one of the first French municipalities to foster relationships with Lleida in Spain. Foix has an open-air velodrome which features a 250-metre track.
» www.mairie-foix.fr
» www.ot-foix.fr
» www.cg09.fr
Loudenvielle - Le Louron
+ Stage in 1997 (1. Brochard) and in 2003 (1. Simoni).
Population 280 (Loudenviellois). Altitude: 975 metres.
The municipality of Loudenvielle has two ski resorts: Peyragudes, accessible via the Peyresourde pass, an ultramodern resort, and Val Louron, situated near to the Val Louron-Azet pass, a more family-focused resort. A particularly attractive site for health and well being with its thermal springs, by the Génos-Loudenvielle Lake: Balnéa provides you with moments of relaxation after your bicycle touring, hang-gliding and trekking activities…
The Louron Valley gives pride of place to the protection of nature and local heritage.
Its churches and chapels are gems of Romanesque art.
» www.lelouron.com
» www.peyragudes.com
» www.tourisme-hautes-pyrenees.com
» www.cg65.fr
Pau
+ Stage for the first time in 1930 (1. Binda) and the last and 60th time in 2006 (1. Mercado).
Prefecture city of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Capital of the Béarn, on the Gave de Pau. Population 82,000 (Palois). Conurbation: 150,000. Altitude: 207 metres.
Situated an hour’s drive from the ocean, Spain and the Pyrenees, Pau has been classified a “4-Flower” city since 1983.
In the mid 19th century, its mild climate attracted numerous British residents who set up a golf course and built over 300 villas.
First French city to install an experimental high broadband platform. Implementation in 2006, within the racecourse premises, of a pelota complex where official betting takes place.
Birthplace of King Henri IV (1553-1610), Maréchal Bernadotte (1763-1844) future King of Sweden, André Labarrère (1928-2006), Senator-Mayor since 1971 and Tony Estanguet, Olympic canoeing & kayaking champion.
Orthez
+ First hosted a stage in 1993.
District town of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Sits on the river Gave de Pau. 11,000 inhabitants (known as Orthéziens or Sainte-Suzannais).
Former capital of the Béarn, Orthez - Sainte-Suzanne was the site of a famous battle during the Napoleonic Wars fought between the forces of Marshal Soult and those of Wellington on the 27th February 1814: a historical fact evoked by the 13th Century Pont-Vieux fortified bridge.
Situated at the crossroads of the Piedmont in the Pyrenees and the Chalosse region, Orthez is a cattle rearing and farming town (important corn production), renowned for its trade fairs, but also for its basketball team (Pau-Orthez).
Homeland of the poet Francis Jammes (1868-1938) and the ex Tour de France rider Robert Cazala.
Gourette - Col d'Aubisque
+ Stage finish in 1971 (1. Labourdette) / Finish at the summit of the Aubisque pass in 1985 (1. Roche).
Gourette, at the “foot of the ski slopes” in the Pyrenees, situated at 1,400 m altitude, is a modern ski resort where everything has been designed for all to profit to the greatest extent from their skiing time.
Castelsarrasin
+ Stage start in 2001 and 2004.
Principal district town of the Tarn-et-Garonne. Population 13,000 (Castelsarrasinois).
The Canal des Deux Mers which becomes the Canal du Midi flows through the department’s second largest town.
Every Thursday from Toussaint to Easter there is a large market devoted to specially fattened poultry and livers which attracts people from all around Gascony. Leading fruit producer of the Midi-Pyrénées.
August attraction “Castelsarras’in Louisiane”, a festival of Cajun and New Orleans music.
Birthplace of Pierre Perret.
Cahors
+ Stage in 1994.
Prefecture town of the Lot and trading centre of the Quercy, on the river Lot. Population 20,000 (Cadurciens).
Testifying to military art of the Middle Ages, Cahors still has a span medieval character with its ramparts, barbican, hanged man’s tower and famous Valentré bridge. Foie gras, truffles and Cahors wine make it a gastronome’s delight.
Situated on the Via Podiensis of the Pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella.
Birthplace of Pope John XXII (1249-1334), poet Clément Marot (1495-1544) and Léon Gambetta (1838-1882).
Angoulême
+ Stage in 1975 (1. F. Moser).
Prefecture town of Charente, on the river Charente. Population 46,500 (Angoumoisins). Conurbation community: 111,000.
This active town may be divided into two parts: the high town, surrounded by fortifications and the low town, industrial and commercial.
Renowned for its paper mills, it has become the capital of the strip cartoon (International Festival and Image Centre).
Sightseeing: the historic automobile Circuit of the Ramparts, the Festival des Musiques Métisses.