Tuesday, March 8th, 2005 Stage 2 - La Châtre (Aigueperse) > Thiers - 46,5 km           "La Châtre, this city beloved city…" George Sand Member of the network "Les Plus Beaux Détours de France", the city has a rich architectural heritage and offers a broad cultural programme. A centre of the arts and of craftsmen, La Châtre concentrates a broad range of know-how in its craftsmen: stone cutting and carving of sculpture, manufacture of sting instruments… Green holiday resort, the town offers a wide choice of accommodation conveniently linked to various sports activities (covered pool, automobile track). The town has twice hosted stages on the Tour de France an organised the prologue of the Dakar, La Châtre knows how to rise to the challenge of welcoming events of international stature. www.cyberindre.org     Thiers, Ville of treasures Located in a natural site of exceptional quality, Thiers, the French capital of cutlery manufacturing, stretches over a rocky outcropping. The cities coloured façades decorate the slopes of the mountain down to the modern city below. Its medieval centre of narrow, sloping and winding streets offers a wonderful opportunity to wander and discover the town's historic, religious and architectural heritage. Anther feature that fascinates visitors: its centuries-old heritage of industry and craftsmanship. Dynamic and cultured, the town also hosts numerous events in this domain. A high point is the "la Pamparina"; a music festival held in the streets draws tens of thousands of revellers each year. www.ville-thiers.fr   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