Le Tour in Touraine...

 

We are lucky enough to have the Tour de France whishing through our region again this year which makes for a great tourism advert and much fun for cycling fans. Not getting directly involved this year but did in 2008,2013 and 2016.

Vendredi à vélo and taking in 'Le Tour'...

 

The news that this year's Tour de France is again coming through Touraine reminded us of the fun we have had over the years taking in the event, above was in 2013.

This was in 2016.

  and from 2008 when it literarily passed by the end of our street in Le Grand-Pressigny.

Tour de France 2016...at a town near you?

You can catch 'La Tour' tomorrow by heading over to Chatellerault,down to Saint-Savin...or like us pick a quieter country spot on route.

Official site here

Getting shirty with me...

I received a couple of additions to my wardrobe on Saturday evening, the two t-shirts above. The 'Barroudeurs' one was given for my small contribution in helping set up the evenings festivities and the second was from friends Jane and Peter who brought it back from their home town of Mjddleham in the Yorkshire Dales who had them made to celebrate the Tour de France's 'Grand Départ' which included passing through the town as part of the route.

We were lucky enough to share the 'Tour' experience here in the Loire Valley last year with Jane and Peter.

In tune with your surroundings...

Loved this French family's resourcefulness at Friday's Tour de France wait...find some shade...and extra seating would be useful...no buses today...ideal!

Tour de France...in a flash

Friends Jane and Peter invited us to join them yesterday for a picnic to watch the caravan and riders of the 'Le Tour de France'. They picked a good location just outside of Loches at La Clémencerie. 

We had sparkling Vouvray and a fine lunch before settling down to watch the spectacle.

The Vittel float was a welcome relief...cool.

When the riders eventually arrived it was over in a flash!

Tour returns to Touraine

This year (the 100th) the Tour de France returns to the region with the 218km, Stage 12 on July 11 bringing the riders from Fougères down to Tours. Then they head out of the city on the 12th towards Saint-Amand-Montrond for the 173km 13th stage. As to the finer detail of which towns and villages it will pass through I cannot find anywhere - maybe someone out there will know. Could be there is still some 'bidding' going on!

Map and logo are from the official site

As far as racers, the latest big news is Chris Froome will lead Team Sky, not Bradley Wiggins. Wiggins is apparently set to focus on the Giro d’Italia.

In 2008 they came whizzing by 'Les Balcons' in Le Grand Pressigny where we had a great view of the proceedings and had a great day with friends and neighbours watching the 'caravan' pass by.

Our friend Mike did a good blog post of that day here with some interesting facts and trivia.