Mende
173.5 km
Thursday 11 March
Saint-Junien, a first-time stage town for Paris-Nice, will perhaps bring back memories to competitors who have already taken part in the Tour du Limousin. The infrastructure for the start will once again, in keeping with tradition, be set up on the Champ de Foire fairground site. There will be significant change in terrain as the pack approaches the Cantal and Aurillac. The finish will be identical to the one used in the French Championships in 2007, with the climb up the slopes of the Côte de la Renaudie, whose summit is located 3 km from the finishing line. A puncher could break out of the pack, in a similar way to Christophe Moreau when he took the opportunity to grab the French National Championship jersey.
Maurs, also known as Maurs-la-Jolie, is located in the south of the Cantal at the crossroads between the Lot and Aveyron departments. The town’s three fountains symbolise these three departments. The town has conserved an almost perfect circular shape from medieval times, created by its walls, now known as the tour of the town. The number of shops, the weekly market and the booming fabric of associations are a demonstration of just how dynamic the main town in its district is. With a population of 2,200, it is renowned for horse related activities (for sport and leisure but also for a European fair) as well as the events it holds in the summer. Near to the town centre, in a leafy area on the banks of the river, the 3-star municipal campsite is very welcoming. In reference to its southern character, Maurs is also nicknamed “little Nice of the Cantal”, a name preordained to welcome the Paris-Nice race…
Mende is the prefecture of the Lozère department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, and is located in the Lot Valley, in the Gévaudan area. Founded in 200 BC, its original name was Mimata in reference to the mountains that surround it. Today, Mende has a population of 13,400 and has conserved a rich heritage from its history, in particular the medieval streets of the town centre, a 14th century gothic cathedral or the 13th century Notre Dame Bridge. Boasting a well-preserved environment, Mende is currently setting up a business park to welcome new companies. With 80 sports clubs, it is also an ideal playing field for guests to the town or newcomers. Already twice designated sportiest town in France by the daily sports newspaper “L’Equipe”, Mende will again have pride of place in July when it well welcome, on Friday 16th July, the finish of the 12th stage in the Tour de France.
