Tour de France Stage 5 - Cap d'Agde to Perpignan

Wednesday July 8, 2009

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: Cap d'Adge on Tour de France 2009

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}