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La Montagne de Lure
182.5 km
Friday 13 March
This stage will be 100 % new. Start in la Drôme in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, well known for its truffles, before entering the Vaucluse with an unbelievable view on the famous Mont-Ventoux. This time the riders won’t climb it – we have kept it aside for the Tour de France – but will discover another mountain of the Alpes de Haute Provence, known as the “Ventoux Little Sister”. It is the Montage de Lure, close Forclaquier. It will be a “great first time”, since no international cycling race has ever arrived there before. It is a 13,8 kilometres climb with a 6,6 % average slope. Obviously, it is going to be one of the key moments of this 67th Paris-Nice.
© Ville de Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux//
Nestled in the southern part of the Drôme region, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux’s original name was Saint-Paul-en-Tricastin, derived from the Gaul tribe of the region. Confusion over the Latin word Tricasti is responsible for the modern name of Trois Châteaux. The town, with a population of 8 000, is steeped in history: relics from Pre-history and Antiquity are housed in the Archaeology Museum and the Notre-Dame cathedral, built in the 12th century, is a fine example of Romanesque art. Good living and gourmet food are Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux’s signature fortes. This gastronomic centre is a haven for gourmets: regional specialities like Coteaux du Tricastin wines and the famous black truffles are part of the Tricastins’ precious culinary heritage, shared with guests down the ages by means of an exceptionally warm welcome.
© MF / CCPFML//
The Region of Forcalquier and Montagne de Lure is a land of contrasts, a haven of scents and savours. From the vantage point at the top of its citadel Forcalquier provides splendid views of its narrow meandering streets and its 12th century cathedral, Notre-Dame du Bourguet. Leaving the town, the route follows a small road that crosses the three Mourres, an extraordinary landscape of bizarre geological forms. After the village of Fontienne where the road twists steeply downwards, Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues, for a long time an important line of communication in the exchange of goods and medicinal plants. The final stretch is the finish on the Montagne de Lure, so dear to Jean Giono. Peaking at 1 826 metres, it seals the union between the Alps and the Mediterranean, providing splendid panoramic views of the Haute Provence.
