Tour de France 2009

(Photo of leaders of 2006 Tour de France taken near Beziers)

Loads to watch in summer 2009
There’s plenty of excitement in this area now that all the details of the 2009 Tour de France have been finalised, and once again, the Languedoc area sees plenty of the action.

Running from Saturday July 4 to Sunday July 26 2009, the 96th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres. This year the tour even crosses the border into Spain, going to Barcelona

For us, the important stages are obviously those here in Languedoc. Probably the best two will be the sprint that will take place in Montpellier on Tuesday July 7. In 2009 the racers will enjoy the privilege of exploring the capital of Hérault in detail. The starting line will be in the magnificent Place de la Comédie.

Then it’s Stage 5, Cap d’Agde to Perpignan (197 km) on Wednesday July 8. The start from Cap d’Agde, one of France’s most popular seaside resorts’ will be thrilling for the thousands of holidaymakers who will be in the resort to cheer on the cyclists. Then, 137 kilometres along the coastal roads to reach Perpignan, the capital of French Catalonia. The following day, the tour enters Spain, going through Girona towards Barcelona, before turning to come back over the Pyrenees via Andorra. A gruelling stretch through the mountains.

Any cycling fan, or any holidaymaker who wants to witness one of the world’s greatest sporting events, should be thinking of booking their holiday accommodation now. All the properties on http://www.frenchcountry.co.uk/ usually have room for fans of the race. But you do need to book now!