Belleville
191 km
Wednesday 9 March
The fast pace will leave riders just enough time to have a quick glance at the Roche de Solutré, which comes shortly after the start at Crêches-sur-Saône. The Beaujolais vineyards will set the scene for a particularly demanding series of seven climbs, including three Category 1 climbs. More impatient riders will have the chance to launch the first attacks on the roads of the Col du Fût d’Avenas. The finish line is fifty kilometres away in Belleville, a city which has smiled upon sprinters in the past: Baldato (2000), McEwen (2002), Boonen (2006) and Steegmans (2008) all triumphed here.
Creches-sur-Saone, charming city, its heritage and its history© Town Hall
In a relaxed setting on the banks of the Saone, where the mountains of Macon and Beaujolais region meet, is the town of Creches-sur-Saône with a population of 3000.
Located at the crossroads of many major European routes, including the Paris-Lyon TGV, and the major A6 motorway help to make Creches-sur-Saône easily accessible.
This small town surrounded by rural stone hamlets and the brick built farmhouses of the winemakers, its been known since ancient times as the Cropium. It is situated on what was once one of the most impotant Roman Roads in France, built at the time to link Lyon with the capital Gaul in Bordeaux.
Today, thanks to its great location it is a popular place on the tourist map. With a three-star campsite, guests can enjoy the quiet banks of the Saône and explore the surrounding vineyards.
Creches-sur-Saone and the entire Community of of Beaujolais Macon are all set to welcome the Paris-Nice race.
The town from the sky© City of Belleville
Between the river Saône and the vineyards of the Rhône, Belleville has a population of 7600.
Belleville is a dynamic city, which is most evident by the steady growth of its population and business facilities.
The diversity of Belleville’s landscape, ranges from the Val, to the hills of the Beaujolais vineyards.
Its historical heritage includes notably the Church of Notre-Dame, a building with Romanesque influence and dating back to the twelfth century, There’s also the grand Hotel-Dieu which was originally founded in 1733.
Belleville is certainly proud of its town, its values and traditions, and therefore has great respect for its environment, including implementing the objective to combine economic growth and tourism with sustainable development.
