Throughout the 3,404 kilometers that will lead the peloton from Bilbao to Paris, viewers will be amazed. The formula is well known: the Tour de France is also the Tour de la France, and the promotion of its heritage. An XXL spotlight for the territory and “the little lost towns that nobody knows, not even Jean-Pierre Pernaut”. Their castles, their churches, their waterways, their monuments, their land and their history will thus be shared with the whole world thanks to the helicopters and drones of France Télévisions. Since you will probably be sleeping while Franck Ferrand reads his notes, 20 Minutes has anticipated to offer you, in all subjectivity, five unmissable sites of this year’s route, under the control of Alain Cassaigne, photographer and author of several works on French heritage.
Abbey of Saint-Sever (4th stage between Dax and Nogaro)
The peloton will arrive in Saint-Sever at the 40th kilometer of this stage, marked by the sprinters. Anthony Delaplace will probably be at the front and as such, he will have the privilege of being among the first to come across this jewel of Romanesque art. Built in the 11th century, the abbey of Saint-Sever is a must in the Landes. Between its 41-meter transept, its choir with six apsidioles, its 17th century altar and its marble columns, there is plenty to see. Carpenters, cabinetmakers and stonecutters have been busy restoring it to its former glory as part of the restoration work carried out from 2013 to 2021.
Alain Cassaigne’s opinion: “Externally, it’s a little steep in the city center so it doesn’t stand out well. On the other hand, the interior is superb: the capitals, the heart, the transept… It is one of the rare Romanesque churches in all of the Landes. It’s a good choice ! »
Château de Bourdeilles (8th stage between Libourne and Limoges)
Shortly after the intermediate sprint in Tocane-Saint-Apre, the breakaway will pass through Bourdeilles. There will then still be more than 100 terminals to swallow, and so much the better for the runners, who will be able to take the time to admire the beast. Bourdeilles is a medieval castle, with the highest keep in Périgord, and a Renaissance castle, with its arms room and its chapel. A curious labyrinth garden, too. All this on the banks of the Dronne, to form a sympatoche framework. Telephiles will remember (or not) that Bourdeilles rightly hosted the filming of ” Cartouche, le Brigand Magnifique “, with Frédéric Diefenthal. Small bonus: the site even offers an escape game in virtual reality.
Alain Cassaigne’s opinion: “The new castle has a fairly average charm from the outside, it is quite austere, but the interior is really good. The park is all in all reasonable. Overlooking the river, it’s very pretty, very postcard-like. We can advise it, there is no lack of taste. Now, in the Dordogne, there are 50 castles which are worthy of interest! »
Château de Vassivière (9th stage between Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat and Puy-de-Dôme)
The contenders for the break risk seriously – and for a long time – tearing themselves apart to take the lead with the prospect of finishing at the top of Puy-de-Dôme. The battle may not be over when you approach Vassivière, at the 30th kilometer of the stage. Next to the lake, where the intermediate sprint will be held, the castle imposes its style. The lines are clearly drawn, and the result rather elegant. The bourgeois house of the 17th century has changed a lot, changing regularly over time, enriching itself, for example, with a crenellated square tower. Valid ?
Alain Cassaigne’s opinion: “So for me, this castle has no interest. It cannot be visited and externally, it does not have much interest. When I went there, there were cars parked in the yard, maintenance was random. I do not recommend the castle too much. So much for the International Center for Art and Landscape, located on the same island. Otherwise, around Vassivière, there is an interesting war memorial in Gentioux. »
Château-Dauphin (9th stage, still between Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat and Puy de Dôme)
27 kilometers from the foot of Puy-de-Dôme, Pierre Latour, Neilson Powless and Clément Berthet will not be sparing their efforts to widen the gap with the peloton. It’s a shame because they will have their heads in the handlebars when they pass Pontgibaud, where this ancient 12th century fortress stands. Six towers have been preserved, as well as a square keep and a vegetable garden with the Remarkable Garden label. The photo is sufficient in itself, it is a marvel.
Alain Cassaigne’s opinion: “There is this square keep which rises, expanded around it by the old house, which is very pretty. In addition, it is in a dominant position. The castles in the area are a lot of lava stone, quite gray, quite black. Château-Dauphin is brighter, with a slightly red tendency. Interestingly, it is one of the most beautiful castles in the Puy-de-Dôme region. »
Fontaine des Elephants (18th stage between Moûtiers and Bourg-en-Bresse)
Typically a day when not much will happen, the day after a large piece of mountain. No more after 58 kilometers, where the breakaway will have already gained momentum. In short, a royal stage for Franck Ferrand, who will probably not miss this fountain, accompanied by a column and a statue. It was necessary for Chambéry to pay homage to General de Boigne, who guided his army to numerous military victories in India. Four elephants form the foot of the building, inaugurated in 1838, which culminates at more than 17 meters. The pachyderms were restored in the 1980s, then in 2014-2015. To see them spitting water through their trunks, you would believe it. So emblematic that they were dressed in yellow and polka dots in 2017 when the Tour passed.
Alain Cassaigne’s opinion: “Yes, the four without ass! Simply because the four elephants don’t have ass, they aren’t whole. This is the fountain to see in the area. I worked for Michelin for years, and we had three orders of preference: to see, worth the detour, worth the trip. When it’s worth the trip, it’s because it’s worth a round trip of 500 terminals. There, it is worth the detour. »