The relationship between Blois and the Tour de France began with a pioneer, Achille Colas, who finished eighth in the race’s second edition in 1904. By that time, the royal château and the city centre were already hosting cycling races, largely under the impetus of the Société vélocipédique de Loir-et-Cher bike club, which was founded in 1898. Blois subsequently secured a place on the Tour and the Paris-Tours routes – the one-day Classic race was even renamed Blois-Paris for a time and later Blois-Chaville. The city has also been a favoured location for time trials, both of the individual as in 1992 and of the team variety in 2005.
- Stage town for the 5th time
- Prefecture of Loir-et-Cher (41)
- Population: 47,500
- blois.fr • departement41.fr
