Saturday 22 August 2026
Stage 3
Vierzon
Saint-Vallier
| Distance |
231 km (144 mi) |
|---|---|
| Climbing |
+1,695 m (5,561 ft) |
| Délais (estimated) |
n/a
|
| Timetable (estimated) | PDF (154.03 KB) |
Boasting a rich historical, natural, and industrial heritage, Vierzon enjoys a prime location in the heart of France. Situated at the gateway to the Sologne region and at the confluence of the Cher and Yèvre rivers, the town offers its 25,000 residents a wonderful living environment.
The town is traversed by the Berry Canal—now a greenway—which will eventually link Vierzon to Montluçon in the east, and to Tours and the Loire Valley in the west. The town has been awarded the “Territoire Vélo” (Cycling Territory) label by the French Cyclotouring Federation.
Vierzon is a dynamic town with nearly 70 sports clubs and over 300 associations, hosting numerous cultural events such as the *Estivales du Canal*, a festival held every summer in the Abbey Garden. The Mac-Nab Theatre offers a varied program designed to appeal to a wide audience. The Vierzon Museum, which chronicles the history of railways and agricultural machinery, is located directly opposite the “B3” buildings; currently undergoing renovation, these buildings will soon house facilities dedicated to training, innovation, and the popularization of science and culture.
Local culinary specialties are diverse, ranging from Berry lentils and Nançay shortbread to Quincy and Reuilly wines and local goat cheeses.
www.ville-vierzon.fr
Located right next to the “Route des Grands Vins” and in the heart of an area rich in heritage, Saint-Vallier offers visitors a genuine, nature-filled, and welcoming escape; it is an ideal starting point for walking and nature enthusiasts.
Situated in the heart of the Saône-et-Loire department along the banks of the Bourbince and Limace rivers, Saint-Vallier—the seventh-largest town in Saône-et-Loire and the fifth-largest in terms of urbanized area in France—stands out as a dynamic, pleasant place to live, driven by the energy of its local associations and residents.
In the heart of the “Les Gautherets” neighborhood, the Place des Gueules Noires serves as a reminder of the mining past that shaped the soul of Saint-Vallier.
Saint-Vallier also offers numerous community support initiatives designed to assist families in their daily lives, foster the inclusion of people of all ages with disabilities, and create appealing spaces for young people.