Stage 8 of the Tour de France takes cyclists through high terrain from Andorra-la-Vella in the principality of Andorra (bordering France) before returning to France and ending the stage in the lovely village of Saint-Girons.

Here is the official Tour de France description of Andorra-la-Vella:

• 1st-time stage-town
• Population 24,000
• Capital of the Principality of Andorra

At the heart of the Pyrenees, nestled between France and Spain, Andorra-la-Vella is both a parish and the capital of the Principality of Andorra. Situated at an altitude of 1400 m, it is Europe’s highest capital city. The Principality was created in 1278 by its French and Spanish titular co-princes; it is the country’s commercial, political and cultural centre. A multitude of music, dance and theatre festivals are performed in the Llacuna Cultural Centre and the new Congress Centre and its auditorium, with capacity for 900 spectators, host an extensive range of cultural events.

The old town is picturesque, with its old-world streets, traditional houses and buildings of wood, granite and wrought iron that bear witness to the origins and traditions of Andorran culture. The most notable of the town’s buildings are the Santa Coloma church, one of the country’s Romanesque marvels of art, and the Casa de la Vall (la Maison des Vallées), built at the beginning of the 17th century and the seat of Parliament, since 1707.

Here is the description of Saint-Girons:

• 4-time stage-town
• Population 6,800
• Sub-prefecture of Ariège (09)

The town lies nestled in the foothills of the Ariège Pyrenees, in the shadow of the Gallo-Roman ramparts of the ancient bishopric of St-Lizier. Two fast flowing rivers from the mountain peaks, the Salat and the Lez, gush through the quaint streets of the charming capital of the Couserans and converge in its centre.

Its trade fairs and its markets, which, several times a month, attract an entire community of mountain dwellers, are particularly lively and eclectic and always greeted with awe and admiration by tourists. It is in Saint-Girons that the greater part of the Couserans’ commercial fabric is concentrated, and the town also flourishes from the activity of small and medium-sized companies: local beer production, coffee roasting, paper-making industries, cheese dairies, the fabrication of Christmas crib figures, glass manufacture, building trade.

Its population, its exceptional climate and its strategic position also make the capital of the Couserans an ideal tourist destination. The Pyrenean mountain chain with its symbolic peaks, like the Mont Valier and the Pic du Crabère, appeal to mountain sport enthusiasts and lovers of nature. Saint-Girons and the Couserans are also steeped in a rich and varied folklore.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Andorra | Foix and the Ariege

_{Photos of Andorra-la-Vella and Saint-Girons, © Tour de France}

This stage takes cyclists from funky Barcelona to a principality in the Pyrenees mountains that is nestled between Spain and France: Andorra.

Here is the official description of Barcelona:

• 2-time stage-town
• Population 1,600,000
• Capital of Catalonia (Spain)

Upon close examination, Barcelona emerges as an assortment of shapes that form a legitimate city map. Outlined against the sky are the remnants of the Roman wall, the spectacular Gothic constructions of the old medieval quarter – the cathedral, palaces, churches, royal shipyards – and the silhouette of Modernist buildings, an architectural style unique in the world, represented in creations designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Further wandering through the city and further inspection of the skyline reveals a horizon dominated by the emergence of more recent skyscrapers that dot the urban landscape. These are the constructions of exceptional designers: the Agbar Tower, by Jean Nouvel, the MACBA, by Richard Meier and the Palau Sant Jordi, designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, to mention just a few in a long list of creations.

Barcelona abounds in buildings, monuments, museums, paintings, sculptures and illustrious figures that have marked the city with their art and played a role in forging its history.

Here is the description of Andorra Arcalis:

• 1st-time stage-town
• Ski resort in the Vallnord area of the Principality of Andorra

Situated at an altitude of 1 940 metres, Arcalís is part of the Vallnord ski area complex: in winter and spring, 90 kilometres of ski slopes are dedicated to skiers and snowboarders looking for action-packed fun. In summer it is also the ideal spot to discover stunning landscapes like the three Tristaina lakes or the Sorteny Natural Park.

Arcalís is part of the parish of Ordino, one of the seven parishes of Andorra. A haven of peace in the midst of an exceptionally dynamic Principality, Ordino, 2 500 inhabitants, is also a cultural hub with its Auditorium, a School of Music, Nature Interpretation Centre, Postal Museum and a Badge Museum with a collection of 50 000 different badges. Vestiges of traditional society life in Andorra can also be visited in the town, like, for example, the Areny-Plandolit Museum-House, the only 16th century aristocratic domain still standing in Andorra, the Cal Pal millstone and sawmill dating from the same era or the Romanesque Sant Martí de la Cortinada church that houses 12th century paintings.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | About Spain Travel Guide to Barcelona | Andorra Travel

_{Photos of Barcelona and Andorra Arcalis, © Tour de France}

Stage six takes cyclists to Spain, but to a part of Spain that has a long and rich connection to France. Gerona and Barcelona are in the Catalan, which once encompassed cities and countrywide both in Spain and France (including yesterday's stopover in Perpignan).

Here is the official description of Gerona:

• 1st-time stage-town
• Population 90,000
• Capital of Girona province in Catalonia (Spain)

The city of Girona, 90 000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name, displays an abundance of patrimonial gems, with traces everywhere apparent: the historical old city, which possesses one of the largest Jewish Quarters (“Calls”) in medieval Catalonia, the cathedral and its nave, the most extensive display of Gothic architecture worldwide, the Saint Félix church and Bell Tower, the Arabian Baths and the Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Pierre de Galligants Romanesque churches.

A university town, Girona boasts a host of museums (cinema, history, art, archaeology) and is an exceptionally fine gastronomic and cultural centre, manifest in the assorted music and theatre festivals of international renown.

The area surrounding Girona is a territory marked by the inheritance of a multitude of chequered cultures, an immense natural splendour and a diverse patrimony: small villages of charm and character forged down the centuries, a changing landscape and a plethora of leisure activities and events to captivate visitors to the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees.

The official description of Barcelona:

• 2-time stage-town
• Population 1,600,000
• Capital of Catalonia (Spain)

Barcelona has always been favoured by its exceptional geographical location. A coastal city, it stands open to the sea and embraces its rich inheritance and its identity. It is from the sea that Barcelona has inherited its strong Mediterranean culture and ideal climate that favours life on the beach, in the streets and squares, all of these areas enjoying an identical abundance of open-air activities; and not only in the summer, but throughout the year. These sites are also the perfect backdrop in which to savour fine Catalan gourmet cuisine.

Barcelona is a city proud of its hills. In the north looms the Sierra de Collserola, a natural landscape of wide open green space, the “lung” and life source of the city of Barcelona. And, rising up almost right in the city centre, Montjuich, the magic mountain, where 19th century style buildings dating from the 1929 Universal Exhibition, and amenities and constructions from the 1992 Olympic Games, merge with nature, in the parks and gardens where the people of Barcelona come to relax and enjoy their city.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | About Spain Travel Guide to Girona | About Spain Travel Guide to Barcelona

_{Photos of Girona and Barcelona, Spain © Tour de France}

This stage of the tour slices through some of the South of France's loveliest territory, starting in a small city probably best known for its naturist quarter (but which is also a wonderful seaside destination for those who prefer to stay clothed), and ending in the unique urban Catalan destination of Perpignan.

The official description of Cap d'Agde:

• 1-time stage-town
• Population 25,000
• Seaside resort attached to Agde in Hérault (34)

>A seaside resort where fresh water and salt water converge, where the river Hérault and the Canal du Midi meet the Mediterranean.

Cap d’Agde is a land of contrasts with 14 kilometres of fine sand beaches, protected natural areas devoted to walking and numerous leisure activities and special events for families: tennis, golf, scuba diving, water sports, Aqualand, Ile des Loisirs (Leisure Island), a children’s amusement park, a casino, discotheques, an aquarium, an Underwater Trail, a national Nature Reserve, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology that houses the famous Ephèbe bronze…

The city of Agde, a stone’s throw away, is steeped in 2 600 years of history. It was founded in the 5th century before J.C. by the ancient Greeks who named it “Agathé Tyché”, “Good Fortune”. A former bishopric, it is located to the extreme south of the Auvergne range of volcanoes, and volcanic rock, from the volcanic eruption of Mont Saint-Loup 750 000 years ago, is everywhere in evidence. The only round lock on the Canal du Midi is situated in Agde, an architectural and technical triumph, functioning with three different water levels.

The official description of Perpignan:

• 35-time stage-town
• Population 117,000
• Prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales (66)

Beyond the pleasure and attraction of being a stage town on the Tour de France, Perpignan is a fascinating city that remains steeped in the distinctive culture and identity of its history and is set to embrace a glorious future.

Positioned at the gateway to the Roussillon, Perpignan is a vibrant and booming urban community, with the future Perpignan-Barcelona high-speed train line, the construction of the Archipel theatre by the French architect Jean Nouvel, and a commitment to becoming the first 100% renewable positive energy city in Europe. Perpignan’s horizon is dominated by the outline of the Pic du Canigou and the Mediterranean Sea, and the gusts of the tramontane (strong northern wind) render its bright blue sky cloud free: this is Perpignan the Catalan. A hub of Catalan culture, a City of Art and History, Perpignan boasts a richly cosmopolitan heritage, the reflection of a radiant and popular city.

Dali, Maillol, Balbino Medellin, Cali… Perpignan captivates and inspires artists past and present. Perpignan enchants visitors; the rhythm of city life is punctuated by its numerous festivities, blending tradition and festivals of all genres: Visa Pour l’Image (photo journalism), les Jeudis de Perpignan (every Thursday evening), Les Estivales (summer festival).

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Cap d'Agde, "Naked City" | Perpignan, France | Languedoc Region

_{Photos of Cap d'Agde and Perpignan © Tour de France}

Today, the tour de France starts and ends in one of France's loveliest Southern cities and the capital of the splendid Languedoc region.

Here is the Tour de France description of Montpellier:

• 28-time stage-town
• Population 250,000
• Capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region - Prefecture of Hérault (34)

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Montpellier is the capital of a region with a population growth rate that makes it one of the fastest growing cities in France. Montpellier is a harmonious blend of innovation and Mediterranean-style art of living inherent with tradition, and a sense of community and citizenship. The city remains steeped in the rich inheritance received from the scholars, doctors and thinkers who arrived from both sides of the "Mare Nostrum" to study, teach and exchange academic knowledge.

Enriched by its millennial past, Montpellier is today a dynamic city of 250 000 inhabitants at the heart of an urban community of over 400 000. Over the last twenty years, 35 000 jobs have been created in Montpellier, promoting the emergence of cutting edge technologies with high intellectual value: fine chemistry, health, pharmaceutics, information technologies, environment, tropical and Mediterranean agronomy, but also tourism, which accounts for close to 6 500 jobs. Today, nearly 32 000 companies are already settled in the urban community of Montpellier, a figure that is destined to increase in the next fifteen years, enough to confirm Montpellier’s position among the economic capitals of Southern Europe.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Montpellier, France | Languedoc Region

_{Photo of Montopellier © Michael Carr}

Day three of Le Tour takes riders through some stunning South of France locations, stretching from lovely urban Marseille to the popular beach destination of La Grande Motte.

Here is the Tour de France description of Marseille:

• 33-time stage-town
• Population 826,700
• Capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region - Prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône (13)

From the Goudes district to l’Estaque and on through the Old Port, in Marseilles sport is for everyone. International sporting events, regional competitions, sport for fun or fitness, all punctuate city life. Marseilles, a magnificent natural environment with 57 kilometres of coastline, vast stretches of wide open space for outdoor activities, deep sea diving, fishing, sliding and gliding sports, sailing and the Calanques (narrow coves cut out of the rock), a paradise for hikers and rock climbers.

An immense plethora of amenities and facilities are dedicated to a comprehensive range of sports activities: 60 different disciplines for an estimated population of 300 000 sportsmen and women, with 150 000 sports licence holders for 1 500 clubs.

The promotion of sport contributes to the development of social networking and consolidates the identity of a richly cosmopolitan city, associating competitors, school children, sport lovers, families and simple spectators in an identical pursuit.

It is for all of these reasons that the City of Marseilles is doing its utmost to expand the daily practice of sport, but also to host international events that further boost the image of a vibrant and welcoming town.

Here is the blurb about La Grande Motte:

• 2-time stage-town
• Population 8,400
• Town in Hérault (34)

A lush oasis of greenery on the shores of the Mediterranean, located on the Languedoc coastline, kilometres of fine sand beaches at the heart of the Petite Camargue: La Grande-Motte, a thriving seaside resort, invites you to get away from it all.

The town, a unique architectural design, was imagined and created by Jean Balladur, inspired by nature, the outline of the Pic Saint-Loup on the horizon and his wonder at the pre-Columbian Inca pyramids in Mexico. The greenest resort in Europe, the town is more like a luxuriant and refreshing park, where the sun shines 300 days a year.

With a famous international golf course, a pool complex, more than thirty tennis courts, a Thalassatherapy Institute, a casino and private beaches, this is more than a dream holiday destination: it’s a resort entirely focused on recreation and pleasure. A bustling place throughout the year, “the French Florida” encourages you to relax and enjoy some leisure time, sports and water sports.

This coastal town, where everything is here, on the spot, recently celebrated with some emotion its forty years of existence.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Profile of Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur Region

_{Photos © Tour de France}

For stage two, the Tour de France cyclists leave Monaco and race towards Brignoles. Here is the official Tour de France blurb on Brignoles:

• First-time stage-town
• Population 17,000
• Sub-prefecture of the Var (83)

Brignoles remains steeped in the Medieval heritage of its past, when the city was the place of residence of the Counts of Provence. A bauxite mining area (named after Baux-de-Provence) for almost one hundred years, this red clay also played a role in forging the wealth and the vibrant identity of Brignoles and its surrounding area. The landscape, awarded recognition as a region of Art and History, illuminates a rich historical, natural and industrial patrimony, together with the keen memory of its inhabitants.

In the summer months Brignoles hosts outstanding events and shows: in August, the Brignoles Jazz Festival and the Medieval Festival, an occasion for lords and beggars to (re)-discover the city in the throes of a medieval gala and, in September, the Plum Festival.

The town also boasts several historical sites that are well worth a visit: the Palace of the Counts of Provence and the Saint-Sauveur church, both dating from the 13th century, and the town Archives, which provide a wealth of historical facts about the ancient city; the oldest documents also date from this epoch.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Profile of Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur Region

_{Photo of Brignoles, © Tour de France}

Tour de France 2009 begins in a destination perfectly befitting of the tour's rich history: Monaco.

Here is the official Tour de France blurb on Monte Carlo, capital of the principality of Monaco:

• 5-time stage-town
• Population 32,000
• Capital of the Principality of Monaco

Bordering the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco spans a total surface area of 2 square km - the second smallest State in the world after the Vatican - of which 40 hectares of land were recovered pacifically from the sea. It unfurls along a narrow coastal strip of 4 kilometres bounded by the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera and benefits from a particularly mild and sunny climate throughout the year.

The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the State and is divided into 5 main districts: Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo, La Condamine, Fontvieille and Les Moneghetti. The population, very cosmopolitan, consists of 125 nationalities for 32 000 inhabitants including 8 000 citizens of Monaco, 9000 French and 5000 Italians.

It is a sovereign and independent state within the framework of the general principles of international law and specific conventions with France. For seven centuries, the Grimaldi dynasty has been watching over and working for the destiny of the Principality of Monaco. Throughout history, the Grimaldi have managed to hold on to the independence and sovereignty of the Principality, making Monaco a sovereign state recognised by all.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Monte Carlo, Monaco Picture Gallery

Tour de France 2009 runs July 4 to Sunday July 26, 2009, with 21 stages covering a total distance of 2,174 miles (or 3,500 kilometers). See the daily blog coverage, map, stage list, top Tour de France merchandise, a list of teams and riders, and find out more about planning a visit to the tour stops along the route.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009

Southwest France is one of the most amazing, most beautiful and most unique areas of all of France, but many stay away because they think it is remote or hard to get to. There's nothing further from the truth. It may not have a major European airport hub like Paris does, but it has several airports, dozens of train stations, and hundreds of bus stops. Beyond that, Southwest France is an ideal place to discover on your own time with a car rental or lease buyback.

I have personally traveled around Southwest France by almost every transportation method. Believe me, there are many ways to get to and get around this corner of France. The main thing is to be sure you know precisely how (and what is the best method) for your itinerary and your destinations.

I've just added a guide to help: Getting to Southwest France.

Also be sure to see my guide to Southwest France for a primer on the area.

_{Photo of the yellow train that provides a breathtaking way to get around the Perpignan area, © David Blaikie}