Tour de France Map / Route

Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres.

These 21 stages have the following profiles:

• 10 flat stages,

• 5 mountain stages,

• 4 medium mountain stages,

• 2 individual time-trial stages.
  

Distinctive aspects of the race

• 4 mountain finishes,

• 2 rest days,

• 82 kilometres of individual time-trials,

• 19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed.
  

Ten new stop-over towns
Auray, Aigurande, Brioude, Prato Nevoso (Italy), Cuneo (Italy), Jausiers, Embrun, Roanne, Cérilly, Étampes.

Tour de France History & Facts

The line between insanity and genius is said to be a fine one, and in early 20th century France, anyone envisaging a near-2,500-km-long cycle race across the country would have been widely viewed as unhinged. But that didn’t stop Géo Lefèvre, a journalist with L’Auto magazine at the time, from proceeding with his inspired plan. His editor, Henri Desgrange, was bold enough to believe in the idea and to throw his backing behind the Tour de France. And so it was that, on 1 July 1903, sixty pioneers set out on their bicycles from Montgeron. After six mammoth stages (Nantes - Paris, 471 km!), only 21 “routiers”, led by Maurice Garin, arrived at the end of this first epic.

Having provoked a mixture of astonishment and admiration, le Tour soon won over the sporting public and the roadside crowds swelled. The French people took to their hearts this unusual event which placed their towns, their countryside and, since 1910, even their mountains, in the spotlight.

Le Tour has always moved with the times. Like France as a whole, it benefited from the introduction of paid holidays from 1936; it has lived through wars, and then savoured the “trente glorieuses” period of economic prosperity while enjoying the heydays of Coppi, Bobet, Anquetil and Poulidor; it has opened itself up to foreign countries with the onset of globalisation, and now finds itself at the forefront of the debate on the malaise afflicting world sport in general. Over a hundred years after its inception, le Tour continues to gain strength from its experience.

The Tour de France legend has been in circulation since 1903. With this research module, you can find a rider's list of prizes, the different distinctions by country and year or the synthesis of a particular edition. Read about Lance Armstrong, the crashes, the injuries, the prizes, the miles, etc... Have there been Japanese riders on the Tour? Who was the last Irishman to win a stage on the Tour? The reply is a click away…

Tour de France Rules

The Tour de France has values of its own without which it would forfeit not only its sporting credibility but also its unquestionable role at cultural, economic, social and environmental levels.

Withstanding the test of time, these benchmark values encompass the notions of competition, confrontation, surpassing oneself and the final goal of victory.

But not just any competition, nor victory at any price.

As in any sporting activity and as in any other cycling event, but even more so since it is the most prestigious of all, the Tour de France necessarily entails:

Precise rules of which neither the letter nor the spirit must be infringed.

Respect of officials who are responsible for applying these regulations and decisions they may have to make.

Equal chances for competitors. Illicitly favoring anyone runs counter to the sporting ethic. It is in this sense that doping/drugs, too often present at an ordinary social level, is inadmissible in sport.

Unswerving action in combating cheating corruption and any form of deal aimed at winning by other than sporting means.

Active backing of the “Cycling and Environment” charter adopted by the International Cycling Union, via informative and hands-on actions aimed both at spectators and those taking part in the Tour de France.

Accepting these principles determines the value and popularity of the Tour de France in the eyes of a public that has been nurtured by exploits and legends down the years.

Today’s champions inherit a tradition founded on the intrinsic moral virtues from which it has been forged.

Regardless of place and performance, every rider is consequently bound to respect these fundamental ethics. Anything less would lead cycling on a perversely downward and decadent path.

Tour de France Teams

The Tour de France organisers have chosen the teams that will constitute this year’s field. Twenty teams, of which each will nominate nine riders, are invited for the 2008 Tour de France, which will begin in Brittany on July 5 and conclude on the Champs- Élysées on July 27, three weeks later. However, this selection is being announced subject to each of the teams respecting the ethics and honesty that must prevail in cycling.

Sponsorship is a huge part of professional cycling. Apart from the muscles in the rider’s legs is the thing that propels cycling the most. Lance Armstrong’s Discovery Channel squad disbanded at the end of 2007 because the television network decided not to put in the millions of dollars a world-class professional cycling team requires to operate. Olympic athletes don’t display any advertising on their clothing. But because of all the media exposure that a successful team can receive, pro cyclists clothing are swamped with it.

Jerseys

Yellow Jersey. A TdF fashion trend: everyone wants to wear yellow. That means you’re the overall time leader at the end of each stage. If you wear the yellow jersey after the race ends on the Champs d’Elysées, you have won the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong must be partial for yellow, having done this seven times.


Green Jersey. As noted earlier, this “sprinter’s jersey” is worn by the rider with the most points awarded after each stage finishes.



White Jersey. Worn by the 25-or-under rider who has the best overall time. Too bad, ’cause those nightclubbing young dudes look better in black.



Polka Dot Jersey. Worn by the “King of the Mountains.” Kind of like the green jersey, this goes to the rider awarded the most points for cresting particular peaks.


 

Grand Depart

In 2008, the Tour de France will be launched from Brest, starting from Brittany for the sixth time.


History of Starts in Brittany:
1952: Brest (1st start from Brittany).
1964: Rennes.
1974: Brest.
1985: Plumelec (Prologue). Vannes, start of the first stage.
1995: Saint-Brieuc (Prologue). Dinan, start of the first stage.
2008: Brest (Third Start).

Rennes was the first Breton stage on the Tour de France, in 1905. The following year, Brest entered the history of the Tour. The Finistère port was the scene of a marathon stage, which began in Nantes (321 km), and the start of an exceptionally long stage (Brest - Caen: 415 km).

The organizers surpassed themselves from 1911 with the two stages: La Rochelle - Brest (470 km) and Brest - Cherbourg (405 km).


Stages: Towns/Cities/Villages

Stage 1: July 5, 2008 - Brest to Plumelec
Brest
Brest will launch the Start of the Tour for the third time, following a start in 1952 (final victory for the Italian rider Fausto Coppi) and another in 1974 (triumph of the Belgian rider Eddy Merckx). Famous for its vast marina, it will host, from the 11th to the 17th of July 2008, the international Maritime Festival « Brest 2008 ». The town also plays host to Paris-Brest-Paris, a race that dates back to 1891. Its first winner, Charles Terront, completed the course in 71 hours and 27 minutes. Today, thousands of amateur cyclists still come to participate in this 1,200 kilometre long bicycle tour, held every four years.
Plumelec
Plumelec is a town renowned for its love of cycling, with, as a backdrop, the Côte de Cadoudal, often dubbed the « Breton Alpe-d’Huez ». This description is perhaps a little extravagant for a climb which culminates at an altitude of 160 metres. Nevertheless, the route which rises from the Claie valley, from Cadoudal to the town centre, sharply increases from 43m to 154m in height over 2,300m, with an average 5% gradient and a passage at 8% before a hairpin bend.

Stage 2: July 6, 2008 - Auray to Saint-Brieuc
Auray
On the 11th of August the 12,000 inhabitants, known as Alréens and Alréennes, were delighted to host the prologue of the Tour de France VTT, won by Miguel Martinez, Olympic champion in Sydney in 2000: a foretaste of the first passage of the Tour de France through this city, situated 20 kilometres from Vannes. Auray and its magnificent port of Saint Goustan also host since 1985 the Open Super 12, an international tennis tournament reserved for juniors. Held in February, the tournament has become a landmark event for future tennis stars: prize-winners include Paul-Henri Mathieu, Dinara Safina, Kim Clijsters and Rafaël Nadal, triple winner of Roland Garros. Auray is also the birthplace of the radio and television host, Philippe Gildas.
Saint-Brieuc
Seven kilometres from here a legend of French cycling saw the day on the 14th of November 1954: Bernard Hinault was born in Yffiniac, in the region of Saint Brieuc. Indeed, “the badger”, as he was known, studied in Saint-Brieuc. The rider Sébastien Hinault, present in 9 editions of the Tour de France between 1999 and 2007, but not related to the quintuple winner of the event, was born in Saint Brieuc. Nestled in the St. Brieuc bay – a nature reserve populated each year by 40,000 migrant birds – this seaside resort is renowned for its architectural wealth, with its half-timbered houses and more contemporary constructions. At the beginning of December, the town will host a series of matches in the 2007 Women’s Handball World Championship. Its volley-ball club « Goëlo Côtes d’Armor » is this season in Pro A.

Stage 3: July 7, 2008 - Saint-Malo to Nantes
Saint-Malo
An extremely popular seaside resort with 29 kilometres of coastline and eleven beaches, the City of Corsairs, as it is called, sees its population increase fourfold every summer. Unique in France, its old town, destroyed in 1944, was faithfully reconstructed in its former style. The ramparts of the walled city stretch for close to two kilometres, and provide fantastic views over the Bay and the Grand Bé Island, only accessible when the tide is out, where St. Malo born François-René de Chateaubriand, author of the Memoirs From Beyond the Tomb, is buried.
Nantes
With the château of the Dukes of Brittany, the « Lieu unique » an art centre constructed on the former LU biscuit factory, the « Folle journée » (a classical music festival with a hundred concerts organised over one weekend) and the famous street theatre company «Royal de Luxe , culture and heritage co-exist harmoniously in Nantes. The town is also famous for its football club: FC Nantes Atlantique has one of the most impressive histories in French football with eight championship titles and three French Cup titles.

Stage 4: July 8, 2008 - Cholet to Cholet
Cholet
Situated in the Pays de Loire regional district, Cholet is a convivial town with top-notch facilities, where economic vitality and quality of life go hand in hand. Military capital of Vendée during the 1793 uprising, a textile and manufacturing center between the two world wars, today geared towards modern industries, Cholet has inherited profound values from its past: the entrepreneurial spirit, the will to succeed and an audacious frame of mind. Second largest town in the Maine-et-Loire department, with a population of 83,000 in its suburban area, and second most important economic basin in the Pays de Loire region, Cholet keeps thriving. With assets such as its modern infrastructure, its youthful population, its varied artistic and cultural life, and its well thought-out city planning, Cholet stands out as one of the most attractive cities in western France.
Cholet
Sports have always taken center stage in Cholet, named France’s top sporting town in 2007 by the sports magazine l’Equipe. Promoted for their educational and social values, sports are a school of determination and excellence, providing a fitting image for a town which prides itself on audacity and entrepreneurship. Nearly a third of Cholet’s inhabitants practice one sport or another, and its pro basketball team Cholet Basket has staked its claim amongst the French and European elite. The city council actively supports over 80 amateur clubs. Looking towards the future, Cholet has invested in sports facilities such as a multi-sports arena and the GlisséO complex combining pool and ice rink. Ever dynamic, Cholet hosts sporting events which meet with great public acclaim. In Cholet, sports are a way of life!

Stage 5: July 9, 2008 - Cholet to Châteauroux
Cholet
In order to strengthen its central position within a zone of some 200,000 inhabitants, Cholet has grouped its public services with a thematic approach: the social services unit was launched in 1999 and the employment unit in 2001. The prestigious Espace Saint-Louis was inaugurated shortly thereafter, welcoming some 1,300 students for music, drama and ballet classes. A 850 seats theater will soon open as well. As for sports facilities, Cholet has invested in modern, state of-the-art infrastructures, such as the GlisséO center which combines 2 skating rinks and 8 recreational pools. Cholet has also undertaken to breathe new life into its city center through the Arcades Rougé project. In 2009, a multiple theater complex is due to open as well as a three star hotel with a 350 seats auditorium, providing the town with a small-scale leisure and conference center.
Châteauroux
Châteauroux derives its name from Chateau Raoul, a fortress which has towered over the Indre river for nearly ten centuries. The town combines the advantages of urban and rural living : public transport, job opportunities and facilities on the one hand, peaceful and green surroundings on the other (450 hectares of parks). Local economic activity was long dominated by the Balsan textile works (where the French army uniforms were made), the Seita tobacco factory (now converted into a services center) and aircraft manufacturing. Famous people born in Châteauroux include : playwright Jean Giraudoux, illustrator Bernard Naudin, sculptor Ernest Nivet and actor Gérard Depardieu. The local football club, La Berrichonne, the third oldest in France, made it to the cup final in 2004. Noteworthy events held in Châteauroux include the Darc dance festival and the Fenioux Trophy pro cycling race.

Stage 6: July 10, 2008 - Aigurande to Super-Besse
Aigurande
The name Aigurande comes from the Gaul « Equoranda »,meaning « border ». Indeed, Aigurande lies between the departments of Indre and Creuse, between Berry and Marche. With a population of 1,715, Aigurande is part of the Marche Berrichonne metropolitan area and the La Châtre en Berry region. All the basic shops and facilities can be found in the town, as well as many associations which play an active role in daily life. Farming and self-employed craftsmen make up the economic fabric. Nestled between the Creuse Valley and the Black Valley, a region dear to novelist George Sand, Aigurande is very much a place of water. The Bouzanne river rises here, the Vauvre meanders through the town and many wells can be seen in squares or at the back of courtyards. Proud of its gastronomy, Aigurande is reputed for its delicious crayfish to which a festival is devoted in August.
Super-Besse
Super-Besse is a winter ski resort situated in the Sancy range, between 1,350 and 1,850 meters. It boasts 45 km of ski slopes (linked up to the 43 km of Mont-Dore resort), 240 snow blowers and a cross-country skiing domain. Located at the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes regional park, it also offers a wealth of summertime activities: sailing, windsurfing, swimming in Hermines lake, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking. The final of the Andros Trophy, a car racing competition on ice, is held here every winter. The Estive Festival, marking the migration of Salers cattle to their summer pastures, draws some 10,000 visitors. The medieval and Renaissance town of Besse and Saint-Anastaise, situated 7 km away, recalls a rich historical heritage. Its cobbled streets provide a welcoming and festive atmosphere the year around. The skiing museum has a collection of wooden tips from all over Europe.

Stage 7: July 11, 2008 - Brioude to Aurillac
Brioude
Located at the heart of Auvergne near the Allier river, in verdant and mountainous surroundings, Brioude will draw you into its colorful and warmful southern ambiance. True to its past as a stopover town between northern and southern France, Brioude retains a welcoming spirit and a dynamic economy, tourism benefiting from the nearby A75 highway. The town boasts a rich architectural and historical heritage, most notably the Saint-Julien basilica. This Romanesque masterpiece of the 12th century, has been gifted with contemporary stained-glass windows by the world-famous Kim En Joong. Brioude is just the place for a leisurely stroll, its charming streets holding many a surprise. And the splendid nature all around lends itself to a wide array of outdoor activities : hiking, dirt biking, fishing, cycling, white-water sports. Each and everyone will find the facilities best suited for his goals and desires.
Aurillac
Aurillac, with a population of 30,000, is the principal administrative town in the department of Cantal. Though proud of its Auvergne roots, Aurillac sees itself very much as a southern city, boasting as many days of sunshine a year as Toulouse. In recent years, Aurillac has risen to the challenges of tomorrow, renovating the Place du Square, inaugurating an aquatic center and a concert hall, launching an ambitious program in favor of sustainable development. Blessed with exceptional natural surroundings, Aurillac is most pleasant to live in. Every summer, the «Européennes du goût» festival takes place here, a tribute to gastronomy. An international festival of street theater has also been held here for over twenty years. Deeply committed to sports like rugby, football, handball and cycling, Aurillac is proud to welcome the 2008 Tour de France.

Stage 8: July 12, 2008 - Figeac to Toulouse
Figeac
Imagine a rich medieval town where the living is easy. As you take a stroll along its streets and squares, Figeac unveils its shops, homes, palaces and cityscapes from the middle ages. Hometown of Jean-François Champollion, Figeac also has an Egyptian flavor to it. As a tribute to the man who first unlocked the mystery of the hieroglyphs, the town has turned his native home into a museum, which was extended in 2007 to include the history of all written languages. Creativity also finds its place in Figeac, whether it be hitech industries and aircraft manufacturing (propellers and flight commands for Airbus), or modern art and architecture. Joseph Kosuth’s Square of Scriptures and Mark Mimram’s walkway across the Célé are testimony to this fruitful dialogue. Tourists also flock to Figeac for its festivals: «Le Chaînon manquant » in the springtime (street theater), «Les Tréteaux de France Marcel Maréchal» in the summer (theater).
Toulouse
Fourth largest city in France and capital of the Midi-Pyrénées region, Toulouse is very much a southern town with a Spanish flavor to it. Spanning over two thousand years, its history has brought numerous influences to its distinctively Languedoc heritage. Bidding for the 2013 European culture Capital nomination, Toulouse boasts an intense artistic and cultural life, as well as clement weather! Every year, some 20,000 new inhabitants succumb to its many charms. Toulouse has always been at the heart of the air and space adventure, from the pioneering days of Jean Mermoz and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, to manufacturing satellites and the Airbus A380. With 90,000 students and 10,000 scientists, Toulouse leads the way in hi-tech industries, most notably nanotechnology, biotechnology, on-board electronics and health care with the Cancéropole.

Stage 9: July 13, 2008 - Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre
Toulouse
With some 435,000 inhabitants – over 800,000 in its greater metropolitan area – Toulouse lies at the heart of Midi- Pyrénées, France’s largest regional district. Ideally located between the Mediterranean (150 km away), the Atlantic (250 km) and the Pyrenean ski slopes (110 km), Toulouse is twinned with Atlanta (USA), Kiev (Ukraine), Tel Aviv (Israel), Bologna (Italy), Elche (Spain) and Chon-Qing (China). As for sports and outdoor activities, Toulouse boasts 228 km of cycling paths, 2,400 bicycles available on a selfservice basis. In 2007, L’Equipe sports magazine named Toulouse the top sporting city in France. The more than 500 clubs tally some 85,000 members, and no less than 16 top-flight clubs make Toulouse proud on the national and European stage, most notably Stade Toulousain (rugby union), Toulouse Olympique (rugby league) and Toulouse Football Club (soccer).
Bagneres-de-Bigorre
Elegant thermal spa, Bagnères welcomes you at the foot of the famous Tourmalet pass. Situated within the Pyrenees national park, the town enjoys exceptional natural surroundings perfectly suited for sports and outdoor activities the year around. The Tourmalet skiing domain (largest in the French Pyrenees, with the towering Pic du Midi de Bigorre overlooking its slopes), the Laurent Fignon center, the Bigorre golf course, the Gailleste equestrian center and the hiking trails of haute-Bigorre... all await your exploits, before some well-earned rest in the splendid Aquensis thermal spa where you can experience for yourself the beneficial and relaxing effects of the rich mineral water. With its typical thermal spa architecture, its varied and original cultural life (Beaux-arts museum, marble museum) and its quality services, Bagnères stands out as the most pleasant of cities to settle in or visit.

Stage 10: July 14, 2008 - Pau to Hautacam
Pau
True to the Tour de France since 1930, Pau has become a mainstay of the world’s greatest cycling race, thanks both to its geographical location and to its marvelous infrastructures. Pau will hold its 62nd stage in 2008, and only one other city besides Paris has done better. Proud of its past and nonetheless in tune with modernity, nestled in a lush green setting, Pau has turned an early twentieth century Palace into a state-of-the-art conference center, and a neo-gothic convent into a dance and music school. The city also boasts one of the first modern concert halls in France and a sports arena where the pro basketball team l’Élan Béarnais has pulled off its share of exploits. The first ever jai-alai arena in Europe opened in March 2006, near the race track. Betting takes place on the various competitions. City of a thousand palm trees, lying close to the legendary Pyrenean passes, to Spain and to the Atlantic, Pau extends its warmest welcome to the Tour de France!
Hautacam
Close to the renowned Argelès-Gazost thermal spa and world famous sights such as Gavarny Cirque, Aubisque Pass and Lourdes pilgrimage, Hautacam is a mid-altitude resort where the outdoors can be enjoyed the year round. In wintertime: alpine skiing (27 km of slopes), cross-country skiing (15 km) and snowshoe hikes... In summertime: mountain biking, paragliding, Devalkart (karting down a green slope, without any engine...) , Rollerbe (roller-skiing)... Hautacam unveils its peaceful charms within a spectacular Pyrenean landscape unblemished by constructions. With breathtaking views of the Pic du Midi and the Brèche de Rolland, outdoors enthusiasts and meditative travelers alike will want to make a stop in Hautacam. Should you seek a few thrills, take a ride on the Mountain Luge roller coaster, which has proved tremendously popular since opening in 2007.

Stage 11: July 16, 2008 - Lannemezan to Foix
Lannemezan
Plateau lying at the foot of the Pyrenean peaks, Lannemezan and the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel remain the quickest gateway to Spain. Located halfway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with Toulouse only an hour away and Pau a mere forty-five minutes, Lannemezan is ideally situated, as major chemical and industrial plants have acknowledged, breathing new life into an already thriving economy. Pleasant living conditions have been enhanced by the city’s environment charter. Sporting facilities (golf course) and numerous sightseeing options (Pic du Midi, Lourdes pilgrimage) provide a wealth of leisure opportunities. Many clubs and associations carry out diverse artistic, sporting, social and charitable activities. Along with the local rugby club and the alpine and snowboarding training scheme at the high school, they do their part in promoting such values as respect, effort and competition. Lannemezan, the balcony of the Pyrenees where the living is easy!
Foix
Situated at the heart of the department of Ariège and at the foot of the Pyrenees, symbolized by the three towers of its castle, Foix offers the advantages of a small town while benefiting from the nearby presence of Toulouse, Spain and Andorra. Proudly standing atop its rocky perch, the castle (10th-15th centuries) was once home to the counts of Foix, notably the flamboyant Gaston Phoebus (1343-1391). It is well worth the visit. A tourist and stopover town, Foix boasts an attractive city center with true historical authenticity as well as a diversity of shops. Its well-preserved natural setting lends itself to all sports and outdoor activities: cycling, hiking, horseback riding, white-water rafting, hang-gliding across the valley... Foix is the ideal starting point for discovering the many treasures of Ariège: medieval castles, Cathar citadels, Romanesque abbeys, prehistoric caves, sublime landscapes!

Stage 12: July 17, 2008 - Lavelanet to Narbonne
Lavelanet
Situated in Cathar country at the foot of Montsegur castle, Lavelanet stands alongside the Touyre river, where the three valleys meet, on the outskirts of the counties of Foix and Carcassonne. The town derives its name from the word “avelana”, meaning “hazelnut”, as it used to be surrounded by hazelnut trees, which still can be seen on its coat of arms. With a longstanding tradition in clothe making, Lavelanet has more recently turned to so-called “smart fabrics” which call for much know-how and highly technical manufacturing. Ideally located just one hour to the south of Toulouse and Carcassonne, Lavelanet enjoys well-preserved natural surroundings perfectly suited for outdoor activities. Nestled in lush greenery, surrounded by picturesque villages, very close to Monts d’Olmes ski resort, the town enjoys many cultural and sporting events.
Narbonne
For over twenty centuries, Narbonne has been presenting visitors with a multitude of facets. Founded in the 5th century B.C. atop Montlaurès hill, the town became the capital of the Elysians, one of the most ancient tribes in the Western Mediterranean area. Rome settled there in 118 B.C. and renamed it Narbo Martius, its first colony in Gaul. Its harbor, now lying at the bottom of Bages pond, once flourished and rivaled with Marseilles. The Via Domitia, a major landmark dating back to Antiquity, stands as proof that Narbonne and its region have long reached out to Europe and the Mediterranean. Christianized in the 3rd century, the city prospered in the Middle Ages, most notably during the 12th and 13th centuries when the Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur cathedral was erected. After more quiet times, Narbonne once again expanded from the 19th century onwards with the advent of railways and the growth of winemaking. Today, wine remains the cornerstone of Narbonne’s prosperity.

Stage 13: July 18, 2008 - Narbonne to Nimes
Narbonne
Nestled at the heart of a regional park, Narbonne is blessed with splendid natural surroundings, notably the La Clape and Fontfroide massifs, true hiking havens. On the seaside, the beaches of fine sand are ideal for all nautical sports and some R-and-R. Narbonne is also blessed with a rich architectural and historical heritage. The Canal de la Robine, a Unesco World Heritage site, flows through the town. A walk along the streets in the town center feels like a trip back in time, with countless traces of the past there for the admiring. At the crossroads of several highways and railways, Narbonne enjoys a privileged geographical location and has much assets to provide companies who settle here with growth opportunities. Boasting a wealth of hotels, Narbonne is the starting point for many tourist circuits. Whether you enjoy the outdoors, the seaside, historical vestiges or the Mediterranean way of life, Narbonne is sure to fulfill all your desires!
Nimes
Nîmes is famous throughout the world for its Roman vestiges, such as the amphitheater, the Maison Carrée (Square House temple), Magne Tower, and Pont du Gard bridge, only a few miles away. While proud of its past, the city knows how to live with its times. In the early 1980’s, the municipality undertook a voluntarist urban policy. Great contemporary architects were called upon to modernize the cityscape. Norman Foster designed Carré d’Art, the city’s museum of modern art, Jean-Michel Wilmotte renovated the theater and the city Hall, Vittorio Gregotti conceived Costières stadium. Today, Nîmes keeps growing and putting on a new face. The Arènes Esplanade Feuchères project (now in its second stage), the renovation of many squares, the erection of new schools and an olympic-size swimming pool, have all contributed to embellishing the city. Situated a mere three hours by TGV from Paris, Nîmes stakes its claim as a city to be reckoned with at the center of France’s Mediterranean belt.

Stage 14: July 19, 2008 - Nimes to Digne-les-Bains
Nimes
Nîmes is proud of its many top-flight teams, not to mention more than four hundred clubs representing a wide variety of sports and thousands of amateur athletes. The legendary Nîmes Olympique in football, the Arc club de Nîmes (archery), the Nautique Club Nîmois (swimming), the Rugby Club Nîmes Gard, HBCN and USAM (handball) have all proven their skill for developing young talents, many of whom went on to shine on the national and international stage. Blessed with top venues (Costières stadium, Le Parnasse arena, Estanque petanque ground, Kaufman stadium, Némausa Olympic pool) as well as facilities throughout the town, Nîmes has hosted many international sporting events, such as the Davis Cup, the Mediterranean games, world championships in fencing and archery, to name but a few. In 2004, following a long absence, the Tour de France finally made it back to Nîmes, which gets once again to host a stage in 2008.
Digne-les-Bains
Principal district town in the department of Alpes de Haute- Provence, known as the capital of lavender, Digne-les- Bains is a thermal spa ideally situated between Provence and the Alps. Nestled in a well-preserved environment, it is the ideal spot for all outdoor activities. The air is so pure that many species of butterflies can be admired. The reputed hydrotherapy center draws many visitors. The geological society of Provence has set up a trail near the Dalle aux Ammonites, a rock shelf covered with 1500 ammonite fossils, unique of its kind in the world. The Gassendi museum is home to both a fine arts collection and botanical specimens. Alexandra David-Neel, famous explorer and writer, spent the last years of her life in Digne-les-Bains. Her home has been turned into a foundation and museum. In the Digne countryside can be admired quite a number of contemporary art works. Here and there lie the masterpieces of Andy Goldsworthy and Herman de Vries.

Stage 15: July 20, 2008 - Embrun to Prato Nevoso
Embrun
Located in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes and the border to Provence, nestled amid lakes and mountains, the town of Embrun, referred to as the “little Nice of the Alps” is a major centre for tourism activity. Athletes and nature lovers find everything they need to fulfil their every desire. There are 500 kilometres of mountain-biking trails, white water sports on the Durance River, countless hikes to be had in the protected natural wilderness, paragliding, water sports on the 3,000 hectares of Serre-Ponçon lake, and of course fishing. Embrun overlooks the Durance from atop its rocky outcrop, and enjoys sunny weather and an advantageous location near the Serre-Ponçon Lake and the National Ecrins Park. Embrun’s own lake, located 2 kilometres from the centre of town, has been beautifully developed for visitors and locals alike. A recent detour now protects the centre of Embrun from traffic, enhancing the rich historical architecture, now the venue for many events. Embrun is a dynamic city which has planned for harmonious growth. The city currently has a population of 6,700 inhabitants and a firm eye on the future.
Prato Nevoso
Prato Nevoso stands at 1500 metres altitude, in the heart of a ski area known as Mondolé Ski, with 130 km of runs. Prato Nevoso is in the town of Frabosa Sottana, and came into being in 1966. The resort is located in the beautiful natural Prato basin. Gently sloping runs and great sunshine have earned it the reputation as the perfect Family Ski Resort. The “Pratolandia” amusement park and the Snowpark are two major attractions, as are the many activities, including night-time skiing, trekking, golf, mountain biking, tennis, hang-gliding and hot-air ballooning. The magnificent Caudano, Bossea and Dossi caves lie nearby, and offer a fascinating visit. Fairs featuring local products such as chestnuts, the DOP Raschera cheese, and honey, draw many interested visitors. Local museums (the Mountain Museum and the Italian Snowboard Museum) and traditional mountain markets also add to the attraction of the Maudagna Valley.

Stage 16: July 22, 2008 - Cuneo to Jausiers
Cuneo
Surrounded by a breathtaking Alpine scenery, Cuneo will enchant you with its colorful and fragrant streets. Founded in 1198, the town owes its name to the shape of the high plateau (534m) on which it stands, at the confluence of the Gesso torrent and the Stura river. Any visit must include Piazza Galimberti, the large square where the renowned Tuesday market takes place, Via Roma, the main street in the old town with its well-preserved medieval archway, the cathedral, the city hall and the city tower. Corso Nizza, with its lovely shops, lies at the center of the new town, while Viale degli Angeli is lined with villas typical of the late 19th century. Finally, be sure to enjoy the numerous delicacies of the region : Cuneesi (rum flavored pralines), chestnuts, mushrooms, wines, cheeses...
Jausiers
Lying in the Ubaye valley very close to Cuneo in Italy, smallest town to hold a Tour de France stage finish (barely 1,000 inhabitants!), situated at the foot of Europe’s highest road (2,802 m), Jausiers relishes in combining Provence with the Alps. Having sent many immigrants to Louisiana and Mexico as far back as the 19th century, Jausiers boasts many a grandiose home, built by its native sons who came back having made their fortune. Like the paradise lost, the Ubaye valley and Jausiers are reached through seven passes well known to cyclists, notably Bonette-Restefond, Allos and Cayolle. Situated in the Mercantour national park, Jausiers is much blessed: the purest air for all aerial sports, crystal-clear water for all white-water activities, hiking and mountain biking trails. The surrounding summits cast their reflection on the majestic lake. In the nearby crafts center, the delicacies of the Ubaye valley are sure to tempt many a visitor.

Stage 17: July 23, 2008 - Embrun to L'Alpe-D'Huez
Embrun
Many treasures from the past are to be admired in the streets of Embrun, such as fountains, sundials, arched passageways, ornate sculpted doors... At the heart of the old quarter rises Notre-Dame-du-Réal cathedral, erected in the 12th century. Of Lombardic inspiration, it is one of the architectural masterpieces of the Alps, reputed for its porch adorned with lions, its organ and its treasure house. Brune tower (13th century), the former donjon of the archbishops, is now an exhibition center for Ecrins National Park. Chanonges house boasts a splendid Romanesque facade and wall paintings dating back to 1516. Frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries can be admired in the chapels of the former Cordelier monastery. Separated from Serre-Ponçon lake by a levee with promenade, Embrun’s man-made lake offers a wide variety of leisure activities on the water and in the vicinity of its grassy beaches: kayaking, rowing, sailing, pedal boats, mini-golf, pool, water slides, children’s playground... In the summer, a free shuttle service is available from the city center.
L'Alpe-D'Huez
Summer and winter resort, well deserving of its “Island in the sun” nickname, L’Alpe-d’Huez lies at 1,860 m, facing south, at the foot of Grandes Rousses massif. The panoramic view from the top of Pic Blanc, culminating at some 3,330 m, spans across Ecrins National Park and its majestic peaks, encompassing one fifth of the French territory from Italy to the Massif central. A Mecca of cycling, L’Alpe-d’Huez is hosting the Tour de France for the 26th time in 2008. Other noteworthy cycling events are held here in the summer, the Marmotte and the Mégavalanche. A host of other leisure activities are on offer : horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing, aerial rides, fishing, golf, tennis... For the more cultural-minded, weekly classical music concerts are held in Notre-Dame des Neiges church as well as exhibitions at the Huez and L’Oisans Museum.

Stage 18: July 24, 2008 - Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne
Bourg-d'Oisans
Bourg-d’Oisans lies nestled in picturesque landscape on a plain at the heart of the Oisans region, peaceful haven surrounded by majestic peaks. Located next to Ecrins national Park, the largest and highest of the seven French National Parks, Bourg-d’Oisans is both a winter ski resort and a summer vacation spot, a window on alpine culture and its vast natural heritage. A sanctuary where each and everyone can feel at home, occasional amateur hikers as well as sports enthusiasts out for a daredevil experience or families seeking a quiet holiday, Bourg-d’Oisans boasts a wide array of assets sure to satisfy all desires. Today, Bourg-d’Oisans has surely become the capital of mountain cycling, thanks to the famous passes which encircle it, such as Lautaret, Galibier, Croix de Fer, Glandon, and of course the legendary climb to Alpe d’Huez.
Saint-Etienne
The Saint-Etienne metropolitan area lies in a privileged natural setting which includes the Pilat regional park, the Forez mountains and the Loire river gorges. With 43 towns and nearly 400,000 inhabitants, it is the sixth largest urban district in France. Its assets are manifold, most notably a strategic geographical position, a well-established competence in various hi-tech industries (design, optical engineering, precision mechanics, industrial engineering), and many world-renowned cultural institutions (museum of modern art, theater, opera). Still undergoing profound renovation, Saint-Etienne has turned to design, culture and sports to build on its reputation and attractiveness. Fittingly, it has applied for the Firminy Le Corbusier sight, unique of its kind in Europe, to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.

Stage 19: July 25, 2008 - Roanne to Montlucon
Roanne
Famous throughout the world for its celebrated chefs like the Troisgros brothers and for its reputed textile manufacturing, Roanne is also a major mechanical engineering center, where the Leclerc tank was notably made. Built along the Loire river, with its ancient city center, pedestrian areas and leisure harbor, Roanne provides a festive and cultural atmosphere in a charming setting. Here the Loire river flows through the department of the same name. Having carved out its gorges and fed both Villerest lake and the canal Tranquille, the capricious waterway makes up its majestic progress. Blessed with a wealth of churches and chateaux, situated at the crossroads of Auvergne, Burgundy and Lyon, the Roanne area possesses a richly diversified architectural heritage. During your stay, be sure to enjoy the museum, the port, the good food, the variety of shops and the welcoming atmosphere of Roanne!
Montlucon
Located in the heart of France, second largest city in Auvergne, Montluçon met the challenge of the industrial revolution without ever disowning its historical heritage. The medieval town, with its small paved streets and half-timbered houses, and the chateau of the Dukes of Bourbon towering above it, takes you back on a journey through French history. Lying close to the hedged farmland of Bourbonnais, with the Cher river flowing through, Montluçon has a wealth of assets : leisure activities at close hand (canoeing, golf, nautical sports...), cultural and sporting facilities of quality. A city on the rise, Montluçon has launched major urban renovation schemes as well as restoration of its architectural heritage. An aquatic amusement park has recently opened.

Stage 20: July 26, 2008 - Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond
Cerilly
Situated in the department of Allier at the heart of France, Cerilly attracts many tourists. Its Romanesque church, dating back to the 11th century, is dedicated to St Martin. It is famous for its three-storied bell-tower and a superb 17th century Entombment. Many Cerilly natives went on to accomplish great things, notably naturalist François Peron, etcher and painter Marcellin Desboutin and writer Charles-Louis Philippe. The playwright Jean Giraudoux also stayed in Cerilly where his father was tax collector. Cerilly has developed its economic activity around food processing, thanks in great part to Charolais cattle. With the nearby Tronçais forest (10,000 hectares), Cerilly has also turned itself to wood industries. The high-quality oak is used to make barrel staves for the best Cognac and Bordeaux wines.
Saint-Amand-Montrond
Saint-Amand-Montrond was created in Gallo-Roman times and became a major thoroughfare early on, being situated on the Clermont-Neris-Bourges Roman road. Later on, Saint-Amand-le-Chastel arose at the foot of the castle built atop the hillock, next to the parish church erected in the 13th century. Over the centuries, Saint-Amand-le-Chastel and Saint-Amand-sous-Montrond merged to make up the presentday Saint-Amand-Montrond. The street formerly marking the border between the two towns still exists. The local economy took off in the 19th century with the opening of the Berry canal which developed activity between Montluçon and Val d’Aubois. The first printing shops opened in the early 19th century, and the first jewelers’ workshops in 1888. Alongside these two mainstays, other luxury industries have been set up more recently: leather, fashion, foundry, porcelain...

Stage 21: July 27, 2008 - Etampes to Paris Champs-Elysees
Etampes
Home to French monarchs as far back as the 10th century, reputed for its exceptional architectural heritage, Etampes is a museum in itself. With its 26 listed monuments, its museum and its churches, Etampes attracts more tourists than any other city in the department of Essonne. Proud of its past, Etampes is nonetheless very much turned towards the future, while at the same time taking great care to preserve its flowery and wooded environment. Quality of life and sports are very much a part of the Etampes state of mind. Many competitions and events are held the year round, thanks to top-notch facilities and many associations which take a great part in the life of the community. Lying close to the rural and agricultural region of Beauce, Etampes strives to lead the way in bio and agro energies. Welcome to Etampes, where hospitality is a tradition that lives on!
Paris Champs-Elysees
The grand finale of the ultimate stage of the Tour de France is a spectacular show and a supreme honour and triumph for the riders who have succeeded in avoiding all the traps and difficulties of a three week long race. For this jewel of the cycling world, the city of Paris is the most beautiful location imaginable, set with monuments and sites of incomparable beauty (the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Rue de Rivoli, the Champs-Elysées). The final stage is spectacularly filmed by France Télévisions, whose pictures, broadcast worldwide, present the Tour and the French capital in all their finery. It is also exclusively reserved to sprinters or, to be more precise, to sprinters who have crossed the mountains without mishap like the Norwegian rider, Thor Hushovd, winner of the prologue in Strasbourg and the last stage in Paris in 2006…; only extraordinary champions can simultaneously wear the green jersey and the polka dotted jersey: Eddy Merckx (the hat trick: yellow, green and best climber jersey in 1969), Bernard Hinault or Laurent Jalabert.


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