Monday, March 7th, 2005 Stage 1 - Etampes > Chabris - 186,5 km           Etampes, a passion for sports Royal city of art and history, Etampes is known as the number one tourist destination in Essonne. The towns different neighbourhoods come together to form a privileged whole (with 26 of them listed in the national register). At every corner one is reminded of the town's centuries of cultural heritage. Yet Etampes doesn't live in the past alone, setting its sights squarely on future, it strives to maintain the art of living in its natural, wooded environment. The town shows its love of life and movement through its cultivation of the good life and its passion for sports. Sporting events, competitions and festivals punctuate the seasons thanks to the vitality of its community's sporting associations. Third-largest economic centre of the department, Etampes has a long tradition of welcoming visitors which it has every intention of preserving. Welcome to Etampes! www.mairie-etampes.fr     Chabris Located between Berry, Sologne and Touraine, Chabris in the Pays de Bazelle, and in close proximity to the A20, A71 and A85 motorways, is enjoying an economic boom. Twenty new start-ups have created new 600 jobs, and the town centre lively town centre offers many shops and craftsmen. Its 39 cultural and sports associations, organising notably the annual event of international stature "24 heures de Tir", all bear witness to the town's dynamic spirit. The town's other main features include a beach and dancehall on the banks of the river Cher. Life is good in Chabris, making a stopover here a must, whether passing through by car, on horseback or bicycle! www.cyberindre.org   Map of the stage The route P Sunday, March 6th 4 km    Issy-les-Moulineaux 1 Monday, March 7th 186,5 km    Etampes > Chabris 2 Tuesday, March 8th 46,5 km    La Châtre (Aigueperse) > Thiers 3 Wednesday, March 9th 117,5 km    Thiers > Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Craponne-sur-Arzon) 4 Thursday, March 10th 101 km    Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Saint-Peray) > Montélimar 5 Friday, March 11th 172,5 km    Rognes > Toulon (Mont-Faron) 6 Saturday, March 12th 184 km    La Crau > Cannes 7 Sunday, March 13th 135 km    Nice > Nice  Total 947 km      Profile of last kilometers