La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin
195.5 km
Monday 9 March
A new start in Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire, 1000 inhabitants, which welcomes Paris-Nice for the first time.
The start will be given close to the castle for this second stage heading to La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin where the bunch will arrive after a passage through Sancerre vineyards and the first climb of the race.
Once in La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin, the riders will have to complete a 39 kilometres circuit before the 1200 metres final rush dedicated to the sprinters.
© Ville de Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire
A small commune with a little over 1 000 inhabitants, overlooking the Loire Valley, Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire offers visitors the authenticity and the charm of a town in ancient times. Plains, valleys, hills and forests make it a pleasant base for walking, fishing and hunting activities. Its castle, a former medieval fortress, situated in the heart of the village, and the medieval catapults in operation in the moat are major tourist attractions. The commune’s 23 associations reflect the immense cultural and sporting vitality of the town’s inhabitants. The Fête à la Citrouille (Pumpkin Festival) in September, but also festivals, international art exhibitions, concerts and sporting activities engage active local involvement throughout the year. Local trade is just as actively committed: the baker’s, the grocer’s, the bar, restaurants and local producers guarantee inhabitants and visitors alike an exceptionally hospitable welcome. Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire wishes you welcome and says « See you again soon ».
© Thierry Fromenteau
La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin spans a scant 800 hectares, ranking it among the ten smallest towns among the 290 that make up the Cher Department. Its some 3 500 inhabitants, however, rank it 12th by headcount and its industrial fabric ranks it 6th by job count (over one thousand jobs). And both those counts are on the increase. This town, once a desolate landscape of uncultivated marshland, is in an exceptional spot – no doubt explaining much of its drive and success.
Indeed, every major road in the Cher touches La Chapelle, notably the A71 motorway and interchange, but also the Paris-Montluçon train line and the path leading pilgrims from Vézelay to Saint-Jacques-de- Compostelle. So quite naturally, Paris-Nice found La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin too. Five years to the day after a start that remains etched in collective memories, we excitedly look forward to staging the finish of the « Little Queen of cycling ».
