Tour de France : 10 stages where racers might be tempted to slip away from the peloton!

23 days. 21 stages. 3,540km. And at every corner: a crystal clear mountain lake, tastings of the finest wines, or an open-air jazz concert... Will the Tour de France racers be able to resist the temptations that await?

1. In Vittel, the temptation to go for a soak

From the cool, mossy Vosges forest to bubbling thermal spas, in Vittel time stands still, and the racers will doubtless feel like doing the same.

Info : Thermes de Vittel

2. In Nuits-St-Georges, the temptation to fill your glass

Will the peloton leave the famous Burgundy climats without sipping from a glass in a cool wine cellar or sampling the delights of the Côtes de Nuits?

Info : Nuits-Saint-Georges (External link)

3. In Nantua, the temptation to cook some crayfish

Much to the delight of crayfish, walkers, and Instagrammers, the waters of Nantua Lake are as clear as those of a tropical island. Not that keen on hiring a pedalo, our fatigued sportsmen will most likely just want to lie back and float.

Info : Nantua

4. In the Dordogne, the temptation to go mammoth-hunting

If not fatigue or hunger, will the racers stop racing to discover the amazing Lascaux cave paintings in their brand new museum?

Info : Vallée de la Dordogne et Lascaux

5. In Pau, the temptation to make a wish

Halfway already. So why not take a cable car to spend a night at the Pic du Midi observatory, just you and the Milky Way.

Info : La chasse aux étoiles sur le Pic du Midi

6. In Romans, the temptation to tuck in to some ravioli

Tiny. Delicious. And melt-in-your-mouth. So mouth-wateringly good. Amongst the many excuses for greed, the fine Romans ravioli are worth a trip all by themselves.

Info : Romans (External link)

7. In Briançon, the temptation to float away

Les étapes de montagne ne sont pas les plus tendres. Pourtant, il serait si bon de dévaler cette pente en sens inverse, sur les eaux vives de la vallée de Serre-Chevalier…

Info : Briançon

8. In Rodez, the temptation to turn to the dark side

At the Musée Soulages de Rodez, blacker than black, light and shadow. You might stop racing around to switch off for a few hours.

Info:Rodez (External link)

9. In Marseille, the temptation to move your body

As if to taunt the racers, the 5 Continents Jazz Festival lands in Marseille at the same time as the Tour. There, down by the Med, you can forget all your worries as you dance to rhythms from around the world.

Info: Marseille, la cité phocéenne

10. In Paris, the temptation to stay on the terrace

From the quays of the Seine to the lawns of la Villette, and even on the rooftops, in summer Paris can feel like the seaside. As lunch extends into drinks, you might miss the finish line.

Info : Paris