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Biot - Sophia Antipolis
215 km
Saturday 12 March
This is the longest stage of Paris-Nice. With six days of racing in their legs, the length of this stage is sure to hurt the riders. They will have to dig deep once more on a route with several traps which could cause them to be dropped. Around Grasse, they will need to expend enough power to keep up with the pace set on the Côte de Cabris on their way to the Col du Ferrier. The stage finale, with two laps of an 18 km long circuit in the heights of Biot-Sophia Antipolis on the menu, will also be a real leg-breaker.
The Palais des Comtes de Provence© Communications Department of the City
Brignoles is situated in the heart of the Var Provence Verte.
Served by the two major roads (the A8 motorway and N7) and hence good access into the area. It has an expanding population of nearly 17,000 residents.
Brignoles is what you’d expect from a pretty medieval town, with its network of narrow streets and little town squares.
The town is steeped in rich history, including the Palais des Comtes de Provence which dates back to the thirteenth century. Its now home to the Museum of Brignolais.
This is an attractive town, and with the local residents proud of their roots. These days Brignoles is able to cross its cultures with their love of arts and sports. And now in its fourteenth year, one of their summer highlights, is the Medieval Festival of Street Arts.
View of the historic centre of Biot - Sophia Antipolis© Communication town of Biot
Biot, which is pronounced "Biotta" is a town made up of nearly 10,000 inhabitants.
Like many coastal communities in the Alpes-Maritimes, Biot was once an important trading town. Nowadays, its known as the manufacturing centre for Mediterranean Olive Oil, and famous for its local glassworks. Its also home to the museum for Fernand Leger, the French painter.
Along with the neighboring towns of Antibes, Mougins, Valbonne and Vallauris, Biot is also part of the Sophia Antipolis, a Technology Park, which is the largest in France and home to a number of computing and electronics companies. Located in a pine forest and set over 2000 hectares, 1400 companies employ 30,000 people.
