As with all Tour de France routes, sometimes the beauty and the intrigue comes not from the big mountains but from the ‘Middle Mountains’ stages in one of France’s lesser know cycling regions. So to the Massif Central which, if not unknown, is certainly under-rated from a cycling joy perspective. These are roads of beauty through a region that keeps on giving. This is France of yester-year and a region we strongly recommend you consider for a Tour experience.
During these stages (8, 9 and 10) on the pro Tour, the scene will be set and the likely maillot jaune contenders will come to the fore. If you choose to ride the same stages a week before, you’re choosing discovery, adventure, back roads and beauty. These really are some delightful cycling kilometres. For more information/persuasion (!), have a look at our Loops.