Departure of Tour de France 2018
Le Tour de France’s Grand Départ on the 7th and 8th July 2018 was awarded to the Vendée. The 1st stage began from the Passage du Gois on L'Ile de Noirmoutier. It continued along the coast before heading back inland. The Tour then took the direction of Fontenay le Comte where it was due to finish. On Sunday 8th July, the riders left from Mouilleron Saint Germain travelling through the Vendean countryside. Finally arriving at the finish in the Napoleonic town of La Roche sur Yon.
On Saturday 7th July 2018, the peloton sets off from L'Ile de Noirmoutier heading to the town of Fontenay le Comte (201 km). The riders crossed Noirmouter's bridge which is over 30 metres high and arrived at Fromentine. Crossing the bridge provides an exceptional panoramic view of the Vendée's coastline. They followed the “Côte de Lumière” for 110 km before arriving at Fontenay le Comte, after travelling cross the Marais poitevin. The next two stages where loops.
The second stage started on Sunday 8th July 2018 from Mouilleron Saint Germain, the birthplace of Georges Clemenceau. For 183 km, the 176 riders crossed the distinctive landscapes of the bocage, with a sprint finishing at La Roche sur Yon.