Stage 10: Periguex to Bergerac
New week, new part of France: the peloton found themselves in new terrain after the first rest day. However, the sights were just as spectacular. Thonac’s Chateau de Belcayre, overlooking the mighty Vézère river, took our prize for the most impressive architecture of the day.
Stage 11: Eymet to Pau
The racing may have been a little predictable, with Marcel Kittel continuing his sprint dominance, but the French countryside didn’t care. Check it out.
Stage 12: Pau to Peyragudes
French revolutions! A thrilling stage saw French darling Romain Bardet take victory, but it also gave us our first glimpse of the high mountains. We hope you get the same thrill of excitement from seeing the mist-shrouded peaks around Peyragudes as we do.
Stage 13: Saint-Girons to Foix
At only 101km, this was the shortest Tour de France stage in 20 years – and one of the most explosive. The rugged slopes of the Pyrenees formed the backdrop for aggressive racing: you can almost smell the fresh mountain air as the camera helicopter swoops over the peaks and through the valleys.
Stage 14: Blagnac to Rodez
It wouldn’t be a Tour de France without a stage featuring fields of sunflowers, and this was it. However, the Museo Aeronáutico Aeroscopia in Blagnac also provided a unique sight, with generations of aeroplanes clustered. The picturesque town of Rodez formed the springboard for Australia’s first stage victory, with Michael Matthews taking the prize.
Stage 15: Laissac-Sévérac l'Église to Le Puy-en-Velay
It was 'race on' through the medium mountains. The peloton may have missed the sights but we didn't, with a bevy of medieval castles, churches and towns - combined with waterfalls and more than a few bemused 'Vaches du Tour'.
