Tour(ism) De France: Stops Along the Tour De France 2006 Route

Minus retired man-of-steel Lance Armstrong and a number of suspended favorites, the 2006 Tour de France is giving many riders a fresh look at fame. At the same time, it's giving many cities and towns along the route a turn in the spotlight of tourism. Those unfamiliar with the race may be unaware that the route changes each year and that several stages even take place outside of France. Here's a brief look at some of the notable stops along this year's Tour de France route.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Overview

Commencing in northeastern France and working counterclockwise, the 2006 Tour de France route leaves Strasbourg and heads briefly into Germany, without a stop, before circling back into France for a brief spell. The route then touches on the three Low Countries - Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium - with one stop in each nation. Upon return to France, riders head westward, skimming north of Paris and pushing straight onto the coastal town of Lorient. From there, cyclists fly to Bordeaux and prepare for a difficult mountainous stretch, taking them deep into the Pyrenees with a stop in Spain. Crossing southern France, the route next works toward the Alps, where riders face several tough stages before being transported to a site just south of Paris. The final stage, since the 1970s, has ended along the Champs-Elysees. When all is said and done, the cyclists will have visited six countries, though the bulk of the race does, of course, occur in France itself.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Strasbourg (Start of Race). This lovely city on the French-German border is part of the Alsace region, where cultures meld along the Rhine. One of the more famous stops along this year's Tour de France route, Strasbourg is known for its forebodingly impressive Gothic cathedral and other fine samples of architecture throughout the ages. Home to many museums and other historic landmarks, it's a large but accessible city, full of both swanky hotels and cozy inns that serve the best in Franco-German cuisine.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Esch-sur-Alzette (End of Stage 1 and Start of Stage 2). A picturesque little town in Luxembourg, Esch is a quaint hub of shops, cafes, and cozy inns. For more information on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, visit this article.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Caen (End of Stage 5).
Not to be confused with Cannes, the city of Caen dates back to the days of William the Conqueror, whose remains are still buried there. His castle, built in Caen just before the conquest of England, remains one of the largest medieval fortresses on the continent, just a few miles from the English channel.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Lorient (End of Stage 8).
Developed as a port during France's 17th century sea exploration era, this gritty city stands to gain from the exposure the Tour de France will bring. After much damage during WWII and the decline of the shipping industry in Brittany, Lorient hopes to exploit its Atlantic harbor and regain some of the bustle and lustre it had centuries ago when it was a place of trade and expectation.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Bordeaux (Rest Day and Start of Stage 9).
Known for its world-class wine, its 18th century architecture, and its large university, Bordeaux touts an ever-growing nightlife and an active urban sensibility.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Dax (End of Stage 9).
If the cyclists had the opportunity to get their tired bodies pampered at a spa, they'd want to do it here, where treatments are world-famous.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Pau (End of Stage 10).
Better known for another form of racing - the kind pursued with autos - the city of Pau hosted the first Grand Prix over a century ago. It's still a car capital, and the racetrack is notorious. No word yet on how the Pau cycle stage compares to the tough autotrack!

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Carcassonne (End of Stage 12).
Settlement of this town dates back to thousands of years before the Roman Empire, and the walls erected during the medieval era still stand, making Carcassonne a lovely UNESCO word heritage site

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Montelimar (End of Stage 13).
This Rhone river town was a robust settlement during Roman times but is now best known around France (and the rest of Europe) for the production of nougat, that sugar-nutty ingredient cherished with chocolate.

Stops Along the Tour de France 2006 Route: Alpe d'Huez (End of Stage 15).
High in the French Alps, this ski resort is included in the Tour de France almost every year because of the steep climb. Although not a remarkable location historically, it draws massive crowds because it's considered one of the most exciting stages of the race - within hairpin turns and a tough gradient.

And of course, Paris marks the end of Stage 20, the closing leg of the race, but I don't need to tell you what's remarkable about la Ville Lumière!