Le "Tour de Leggetts"

The Tour de France, or just Le Tour, is one of the most famous sporting events in the world. Dating back to 1903 the tour typically covers around 3,200 km’s and takes in some of the prettiest countryside in France as well as some of the most gruelling mountain passes.

This year’s tour starts on Saturday 30th June and finishes in Paris on Sunday July 22nd.  You can see full details on the official website at www.letour.fr.

We thought that it would be a bit of fun to look closer at the route Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins and the other professionals will be riding this year.  As well as the opening prologue there will be 20 stages and the riders will be passing through some areas that Leggett Immobilier know very well indeed.  We have agents in all of the most popular areas of France and we have set out below half a dozen houses that are for sale on (or close to) this year’s route.  We have also taken the opportunity to tell you a little about the areas themselves and give you an idea of local property prices.

The six stages we have identified are:

This 214.5km stage takes you close to this superb contemporary house, on the banks of the river Seine, in Jumieges, a short distance from Rouen.  On the market for €392,200 it has 205m2 of living space and almost 5,000m2 of gardens that overlook the river and local abbey.  Set in the region of Haute-Normandie access from the UK couldn’t be easier and this is an area famous for seafood and dairy produce. The average house price in this region is €160,000 with prices rising by 2.9% last year. To get a full flavour of the region and a more in-depth look at what is going on visit our Normandy landing pages here.

A week later the riders take on a 194.5km challenge including some great climbs such as the Col du Grand Colombier.  They will be passing close to the town of Thusy in the Haute Savoie, within which sits this impressive farmhouse.  On the market for €1,360,000 this exceptional property is brilliantly located within easy reach of Geneva and Chambery airports as well as the TGV in nearby Annecy. Currently set up as two 4 bed houses and a 2 bed apartment the accomodation is as flexible as the limbs of the riders passing by.  Haute Savoie is a diverse and stunning area with the highest mountains and largest lakes in France.  The average property price in this prime region is €339,600 and last year saw a jump in prices of 5.9%.

The riders have no time for recovery as the following day they have a gruelling 140km day through some of the highest mountains in Europe.  They start in Albertville and will pass close to this nine bedroom ski chalet near Les Carroz. This is a property with real business potential, just 350m from the slopes.  It has around 340m2 of accomodation on 3 floors and is currently set up as a six bed house with three bed apartment on the top floor. The owners are asking €1,075,000 and this is a prime location in both summer and winter.  This house too sits in the department of Haute Savoie and you can see more about the area and French Alps in general on our landing pages here.

No week-end respite either as Le Tour starts sorting out the men from the boys.  This 217km stage finishes at Le Cap d’Agde where, for €689,000, you could buy this gorgeous, top quality, villajust three minutes from the sea. Built in 1998 this villa has been entirely renovated and boasts 190m2 of tasteful accommodation set within gardens of 1544m2. After a busy day watching the professionals you can jump in the pool or climb on a bike of your own and follow the dedicated cycle path down to the beach. The department of Herault sits in the region of Languedoc Roussillon, where the mountains meet the sea.  Within this varied region the prime property prices are to be found in the Herault where they average out at €210,000 and saw an increase of 4.8% last year.  If you would like to learn more about Languedoc Roussillon then visit our landing pages here.

Even Sunday is a work day for the riders.  This stage sees them leave Limoux in the morning and arrive in Foix 191km’s later.  They will be riding through mountains with gradients of up to 14% and enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in France. At the end of the day they could put their feet up in this large, modern, six bedroomed house set in grounds that offer an unrivalled view of the Pyrenees, on the market for €421,880. Set within what is perhaps the most attractive village in the Ariege this is a stunning and spacious home equipped with double glazing, central heating and fully fitted kitchen.  There is a terrace for aperitifs and a pool to splash around in while taking in the mountain air.  The Ariege is an undiscovered gem within the Midi Pyrenees region and property prices here reflect this with an average price of just €117,000 and growth last year of 2.7%.  The Midi Pyrennes is a popular destination with international buyers and offers some of the best skiing, walking and mountain biking in Europe.  To find out more visit our Midi Pyrenees landing pages here.

This will be a relatively restful day for the riders but even so they won’t be stopping to try the local foie gras that makes this area so well known. At 158.5km’s this will be quite a short stage and at the end of the day the sprinters may be going too fast to glimpse this superb nine bedroom property near Pau. Set in over 2 hectares of grounds with large swimming pool the current owners use five of the nine bedrooms as B&B.  The asking price is €1,017,600 and this lovely stone property really has been restored to the highest of standards. This beautiful property nestles gently into the mountains within the Pyrenees Atlantiques which fall under the region of Aquitaine.  The department has an average property price of €220,500 and prices here actually fell by 0.9% last year – so now may be a good time to snap up a bargain.

And so ends the Leggetts version of Le Tour.  We hope that it have given you a flavour of this wonderful sporting event and perhaps even encouraged you to come and sample the unique atmosphere.  We have over 7,000 properties available throughout France so you can be sure that, wherever the organisers decide to take the spectacle next year, you will never be far from a Leggett Immobilier local property expert.

Good luck to the riders from all 22 teams taking part this year.  It looks as though Cadel Evans or Bradley Wiggins will start as favourites but also look out for top French rider Pierre Rolland from Team Europcar.

Bon route!