Yvelines, a scale model of France on the doorstep of Paris
Spanning 259 municipalities, the Yvelines department is renowned for its rich and varied natural heritage, with numerous green spaces, forests, streams and rivers. It is also famous for its cultural, tourist and historical attractions, including the Palace of Versailles —its most illustrious gem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site— as well as other remarkable landmarks such as the châteaux of Rambouillet, Breteuil and La Madeleine. Yvelines also stands out for its economic appeal in sectors such as the motor industry, aeronautics, health, research and innovation.
The Yvelines department has an exceptional living environment where sport is king. With over 400,000 licence holders, the realm of sport contributes to the vibrancy and dynamism of the region. Cycling has pride of place here, particularly in the shape of major events. Chief among them is Paris-Nice, the fruit of a close partnership with A.S.O. going back more than 15 years, which includes hosting the first two stages of the famous Race to the Sun and the start of the final stage of the Tour de France every summer. In the 83rd edition of Paris-Nice, Le Perray-en-Yvelines and Montesson will host the opening stage and the start of stage 2, respectively.
Cycling country
The Department of Yvelines takes pride in its "Terre de Vélo" label and has thrown its weight behind the development of soft mobility. It pursues long-term policies to encourage intermodality, expand its cycling network and urge people to take up cycling. Yvelines is a natural "slow tourism" hub, with three of the main European cycle routes as its spokes: the Avenue Verte London Paris® connecting the two capitals, the Véloscénie between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel and La Seine à Vélo between Paris and Le Havre/Deauville.
As a host authority for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the third in terms of sites, with five Olympic venues), the Department of Yvelines aims to transform this global event into a lasting legacy for its residents. It continues its commitment through a sports policy designed to ensure access to sport and para-sport for everyone across the entire department.