Tour touristique de France - stage 19: Montmorillon - Blois (173km)
The peloton is nearing Paris, and this flat stage passes some of the most impressive architectural gems of France.
From the quiet town of Montmorillon it goes north to the plain of the river Loire. After 16km the peloton crosses Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, known for its abbatial church, said to be the romanesque Sistine chapel. The 800 year old frescoes on the ceiling of the nave netted it a spot on unesco's world heritage list.
Further north, the picturesque medieval town of Loches, dominated by the castle and the romanesque Saint-Ours church will please many occasional cycling spectators, as the action on the road will probably be underwhelming.
We're nearing the river Loire, and will join it in the town of Amboise, famous for its renaissance castle.
We will follow the banks of the Loire, recognised as unesco wolrld heritage, upstream to the city of Blois. This city is so steeped with historical edifices that it's difficult to name just one.
The peloton is nearing Paris, and this flat stage passes some of the most impressive architectural gems of France.
From the quiet town of Montmorillon it goes north to the plain of the river Loire. After 16km the peloton crosses Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, known for its abbatial church, said to be the romanesque Sistine chapel. The 800 year old frescoes on the ceiling of the nave netted it a spot on unesco's world heritage list.
Further north, the picturesque medieval town of Loches, dominated by the castle and the romanesque Saint-Ours church will please many occasional cycling spectators, as the action on the road will probably be underwhelming.
We're nearing the river Loire, and will join it in the town of Amboise, famous for its renaissance castle.
We will follow the banks of the Loire, recognised as unesco wolrld heritage, upstream to the city of Blois. This city is so steeped with historical edifices that it's difficult to name just one.