The 2009 Tour de France will kick off in Monaco on Saturday 4th July and over the following three weeks covers a total distance of 3500 km, crossing into Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy.
This year's route includes 7 high mountain stages, including a climb on the penultimate day to Mont Ventoux at 1912m. It's the first time ever that a mountain stage has taken place the day before the ride to the Champs Elysees.
The Pyrenees:
The first entrance into the mountains on July 10th sees the competitors starting from Barcelona and finishing at the ski resort of Arcalis in Andorra, a mighty climb up to 2240m. The next day's Pyrenean stage starts for the first time in the principality's capital, Andorra La Vella, and heads through the mountains to St Girons in the Ariege area.
(Find accommdation in the Pyrenees)
The Alps:
When the Tour gets to the Alps the first stop is Verbier, again a new stopping point for the event, although it has passed through several times before.
From Switzerland, the Tour then winds up through the Great St Bernard Pass (the highest peak of this year's event), down into the Aosta Valley in Italy, and then heads up through the Petit St Bernard pass back into France to finish that stage at Bourg St Maurice.
These two passes, one either side of Mont Blanc, have provided the two main routes across the Alps for centuries.
Once back in France, this year's Tour concentrates on the northern section of the French Alps and stage 17, on 22nd July, is a gruelling ride over 5 mountain passes.
Five peaks in one day: Starting at Bourg St Maurice, at 870m, the riders will head up to the Cormet de Roseland at 1968m and down into the village of Beaufort. Next peak is the Col des Saisies at 1650m, then down through Megeve to Sallanches on the valley floor. They head back up into the hills, taking the Les Carroz-Flaine road as far as Cote d'Araches (964m), then dipping back down again to Cluses.
The two final peaks on this ride are the Col de Romme followed by the daunting Col de la Colombiere, before finishing at Le Grand Bornand ski resort near La Clusaz.
(Find accommodation - Verbier, Megeve, La Clusaz)
Annecy Time Trial: Next stage is a 40km time trial around Lake Annecy. Annecy, the principal town of Haute Savoie, is mounting a major PR offensive in a bid to win the 2018 Winter Olmypics, so it promises to a be an action packed day with loads of atmosphere when the Tour de France rolls into town.
Lance Armstrong: At the time of writing it has not yet been confirmed whether Lance Armstrong will be competing in this year's Tour de France. The seven time winner is currently embroiled in a controversy over drugs test procedure which could well exclude him from the event - despite being the most tested ahtlete on the planet he has never tested positive. It will be a great shame for the event if he is not allowed to compete.
Tour Fever:
If you're in the mountains when the Tour de France comes through you will be part of one of the highlights of the summer. The Tour de France captures the imagination of French of all ages, and being part of it is a major accolade for the villages and towns chosen to be at the start or end of a stage. The excitement and atmosphere is almost palpable, and Tour fever can take hold of everyone.
So if you're planning a summer trip to the mountains remember that July is Tour de France month - why not come and experience the excitement for yourself!
