Just an hour and a half to the south of Paris, Bellegarde has the charm of old stones and the allure of a town in bloom, but also a vibrant scene of businesses and associations that stoke the fire of this small rural town.
Bellegarde has four big things going on for it:
- rose growing, a craft passed down from one generation to the next for over a century;
- an 18th-century château;
- the tranquillity of the countryside, bur with all the essential community services nearby; and
- its location between Orléans and Montargis. It is home to over 30 organisations, 14 of which are involved in sport, for a total of almost 1,000 amateur licence holders in a town with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants!
The Paris-Nice stage to Bellegarde could shake up the general classification, with the threat of splits hanging over the 6km long home straight. The course of the stage, in which the peloton will charge across the finish line twice, will shine a light on its architectural heritage. It is thrilled to host a world-class professional sporting event. "It's a real opportunity!", as the Deputy Mayor, Philippe Desnoues, put it.
Cycling fans in Bellegarde are in for a treat this year, as the town will also host a stage of the Tour du Loiret in May.
