Stage 21 • ÉTAMPES > PARIS CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES • 143 km

Home to French monarchs as far back as the 10th century, reputed for its exceptional architectural heritage, Etampes is a museum in itself. With its 26 listed monuments, its museum and its churches, Etampes attracts more tourists than any other city in the department of Essonne. Proud of its past, Etampes is nonetheless very much turned towards the future, while at the same time taking great care to preserve its flowery and wooded environment. Quality of life and sports are very much a part of the Etampes state of mind. Many competitions and events are held the year round, thanks to

top-notch facilities and many associations which take a great part in the life of the community. Lying close to the rural and agricultural region of Beauce, Etampes strives to lead the way in bio and agro energies. Welcome to Etampes, where hospitality is a tradition that lives on!

www.mairie-etampes.fr

The grand finale of the ultimate stage of the Tour de Franceis a spectacular show and a supreme honour and triumph for the riders who have succeeded in avoiding all the traps and difficulties of a three week long race. For this jewel of the cycling world, the city of Paris is the most beautiful location imaginable, set with monuments and sites of incomparable beauty (the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Rue de Rivoli, the Champs-Elysées). The final stage is spectacularly filmed by France Télévisions, whose pictures, broadcast worldwide, present the Tour and the French capital in all their finery. It is also exclusively reserved to sprinters or, to be more precise, to sprinters who have crossed the mountains without mishap like the Norwegian rider, Thor Hushovd, winner of the prologue in Strasbourg and the last stage in Paris in 2006…; only extraordinary champions can simultaneously wear the green jersey and the polka dotted jersey: Eddy Merckx (the hat trick: yellow, green and best climber jersey in 1969), Bernard Hinault or Laurent Jalabert. Who will be succedding to Daniele Benatti, the winners' " Champs "?

www.paris.fr