|
Montfort-l'Amaury
8 km
Sunday 7 March
Montfort-l’Amaury, a town that was home to Maurice Ravel for many years, confronts the riders with a route whose changes in tempo are far removed from the famous Bolero. On this time-trial, there will be something for all types of riders. Starter’s orders will be given on cobbles, then soon after they will have to tackle a 3rd category climb. Thereafter, the route is undulating until the final long straight making for an athletic finish. For this first test, all-round riders will be at an advantage.
Les Yvelines, whose county town is Versailles, is a French administrative department belonging to the outer ring of the Île-de-France region, and was created in 1968 following division of the former Seine-et-Oise. Its name has its roots in the Celtic word “ioline” which means abundant in water. Located twenty kilometres away from Paris and crossed in its northern reaches by the Seine River, it is a land of contrasts combining plains and forests, boasting an outstanding natural setting and exceptional heritage with 80% of natural areas and 68,000 hectares of woods and forests. As a result, it is a particularly conducive area for sports and especially cycling. Yet, Les Yvelines also boasts strong economic development whose flagship is the automobile industry. As part of the greater Paris area, Les Yvelines is Automobile and Sustainable Mobility Valley with the aim of becoming the cradle of vehicles for the future.
On the northern edge of the Rambouillet Forest, Montfort-l’Amaury, the main town in its district, spreads out from the foot of its medieval castle’s ruins. It has a cultural and architectural heritage that date back one thousand years. It was Anne de Bretagne, a Queen of France, who was at the root of its exceptional destiny. However, it was not before the first empire that Montfort-l’Amaury took on the small country town traits which it bears today. In the shadows of its monuments, tucked between plain and forest, for more than century artists and writers have flocked to this discrete but charming place of inspiration. Most notably, Maurice Ravel lived here from 1921 until his death in 1937. His house has been transformed into a museum. Montfort-l’Amaury is today a destination for tourists, where history, culture and outdoor pursuits pay witness to its excellence and superb quality of life. Walkers, riders and touring cyclists rub shoulders here all year round.
