Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24th July: Saturday was the day for an individual time trial race in the Grenoble area and then on Sunday the final stage from Creteil to the Champs Elysees in Paris. For the first time in history an Australian is the winner of the Tour de France.  Cadel Evans took on the yellow jersey the day before the final leg and worked very hard to become the 2011 Tour de France winner.

Mark Cavendish from the UK won the Green Jersey (best sprinter) after a great race on Sunday, winning for the third successive year on the Champs-Elysees.
Congratulations to Mr Evans and Mr Cavendish.

 The Tour de France 2011 finished in the beautiful city of Paris where properties are in very high demand.

Have a look at this superb development in the 7^th arrondissement – New on our books.

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22566721

Friday 22^ndJuly: Today the Tour de France will be leaving Modane Valfréjus (Savoie) to reach Alpe-d’Huez (Isere). A relatively short stage (109.5kms) today, however with many difficult climbs:  Col du Télégraphe, Galibier, and then to finish the climb to Alpe d’Huez. Another tough day for the cyclists.

 Alpe d’ Huez, with a maximum altitude of 3330m above sea level, is known for its exceptionally sunny weather and location opposite the majestic Mont Blanc. The village sits at around 1860m and enjoys superb mountains views; it offers a wide variety of activities. In summer: walking trails, climbing, horse riding and mountain biking to name a few. In winter: over 200kms of downhill skiing and snowboarding, winter parks and also the après ski with plenty of restaurants and cafes.  It is a great summer and winter destination.

 Good luck to T. Voeckler (yellow jersey holder) and M Cavendish (green jersey holder) and to all the cyclists of the Tour de France for this last stage in the mountains.

Thursday 21^st July:  After a brief incursion into Italy, the tour de France is leaving Bella Italia behind and is going back to France. A long and difficult stage today: 200.5kms with 3 very important mountain passes including Col Agnel on the border between Italy and France, Col d’ Izoard and finally Col du Galibier (2645m) before reaching the winter resort of Serre Chevalier in the Hautes Alpes.

 Serre Chevalier is located in the southern part of the Alps in the departement of the Hautes Alpes. It offers superb mountain scenery with many picturesque alpine villages.  Boasts an extensive ski area of 250kms of slopes (1200m to 2800m) including beautiful runs through France’s biggest larch forest and thanks to its excellent weather record it is a great holiday place for all types of skier and snow boarder.

Serre Chevalier is also a great summer holiday location with a wide variety of activities for the family.

Wednesday 20^thJuly: The Tour de France will be leaving the town of Gap towards Briancon to reach today’s final destination of Pinerolo in Italy. 175kms in the Alps with climbs and descents. A hard day’s work for the cyclists.

 Gap is located in Hautes Alpes, a beautiful alpine region with mountains, snow and picturesque villages yet with a Provencal feel. Situated on the famous “Route de Napoleon”, Gap is set in a superb environment including the Domaine de Charancea country park with forest paths and a lake that overlooks Gap. Great location for hikers and cyclists with many trails  and mountains bike routes. The Hautes Alpes also boasts several ski resorts including Devoluy and Queyras. Summer or winter, there is always something to do.

This lovely stone house would make a great holiday home in a region perfect for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Stone house with 2.5 acres land priced at €380,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=20070217

 Tomorrow the Tour de France will be coming back to France to face more climbs in the Alps. Will the French man Thomas Voeckler still be wearing the yellow jersey and England’s Mark Cavendish the green one?

Tuesday 19^th July: After a well-deserved rest yesterday, the Tour de France is back on track for its final week.  The tour de France will be travelling from St Paul Trois Chateaux in Drome to Gap in les Hautes Alpes; the cyclists will have to tackle 162.5kms of hills in the Drome and of gentle mountains in the Hautes Alpes.

 The Drome region is situated between the Mediterranean coastline and the Alps; it has a lot to offer: pleasant weather, beautiful landscapes with sunflower and lavender fields, vineyards, historic town and picturesque hill top villages. All in all,  a very Provencal feel with a wide selection of stone villages houses, stone farmhouses and mas.

 Stone village house to restore, with small garden & superb views over the Mont Ventoux, Provence’s highest mountain. Price: €159,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=12359382

 This charming stone with a courtyard and stunning views would make a lovely holiday bolthole. Price : €226,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22154538

 Beautiful 19C stone mas with a separate guesthouse and outbuildings, set in 4ha of land with a swimming pool and beautiful open views on all sides. Price: €700,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22131302

Sunday 17^thJuly. Leaving the Pyrenees behind the Tour de France is now reaching sunny Languedoc Roussillon with its vineyards, beautiful coastline, picturesque villages and historic towns. No big climbs in sight but a very bright and hot sun which could make this 192.5kms a very difficult stage indeed.

Starting point is the town of Limoux in Aude known for its Blanquette (sparkling wine) and its 3 months winter carnival. The cyclists will go through the pretty countryside of the Aude and Herault to reach the historic and lively town of Montpellier.

 The Languedoc Roussillon is a very popular holiday destination thanks to its sunshine, its lifestyle and the variety of landscapes and activities it offers. It is also a region very much sought after for second homes or with people wanting to relocate in the sun.  Much cheaper than the Cote d’Azur and with a wide selection of properties on offer, Languedoc Roussillon is worth considering.

 Limoux area, Aude

Old farmhouse to renovate with outbuildings and courtyard and set in 461m2 land. Price: €70,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22335718

 Near Pezenas, Herault

Renovated village house with roof terrace. €129,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=21688314

 Near Beziers, Herault

7 bedroom villa with swimming pool set in an acre of land with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and countryside. Price: REDUCED FROM €690,000 TO €525,000.

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22283466

Agde, Herault – Near the sea

Contemporary villa with guest accommodation and swimming pool set in almost 1/2-acre (1900m2) garden ideally situated 500m from the sea. Price: €1,145,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22341122

For more properties in France, click here: www.latitudes.co.uk

Saturday 16^ThJuly :  Another day in the mountains:  The Tour de France today is facing 168.5kms with some tough climbs. It will be hard day’s work. The route will be taking the cyclists from St Gaudens in Haute Garonne to the Plateau de Beille in Ariege.

Both are great for outdoor activities including fishing, skiing, climbing , hiking and cycling.

 The area is easily accessible from the UK via Toulouse and Pau airports. Lots of properties on offer from newly built villas to farmhouses and chateaux.

 St Gaudens (Haute Garonne): Recently built villa (2004) with over half an acre of garden and an attached garage. Price¨€171,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=19110545

South of Toulouse (Ariege): 13th – 17th Century Historic Chateau with two square towers and two round towers, facade with mullioned windows installed in1620, formal garden surrounded by a moat.  PRICE REDUCED FROM €1,200,000 TO  €980,000.

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=19999911

 St Girons (Ariege): 19th century stone Bastide with guest lodge; sold furnished, swimming pool, set in 12.5 acres (5ha) of grounds with woodland, meadows, superb views over the Pyrenees & countryside. €2,100,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=14673747

Friday 15^thJuly.  A hard day in the mountains. 152.5kms in the Pyrenees from the historic town of Pau to the charming town of Lourdes best known for its pilgrimage and attracting millions of pilgrims and tourist every year.

 The Pyrenees Atlantiques is a beautiful region in the south of France boasting a superb coastline with sandy beaches renowned for its surfing as well as a superb hinterland with mountains and valleys. Great location for a holiday home with many outdoor activities: surfing, sailing, swimming, golf, hiking, cycling, horse riding, and skiing.

A wide selection of properties is available such as villas, Landaise houses, old Bearnaise farmhouses, apartments, ski chalets and apartments.

If you are a DIY expert, this stone village house to renovate with 515m2  garden might be quite tempting. Price: €55,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22412879

Family home with an income:  

Ensemble of two houses set in over one acre (4622m2) land with lovely views over the Pyrenees Mountains. €380,000.

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22424881

 Prime location, Prime property.

Superb apartment in Biarritz, with separate one bedroom apartment, large terrace and views over the ocean, situated on the second floor of a 19th century stone building. Price: €2,500,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22335311

 Bon courage aux cyclistes

Thursday 14^th July – Bastille Day in France. The whole of France is celebrating and enjoying a day off except of course for the cyclists of the Tour de France who are faced with a stage of 211kms including the first major climb of the race.

The day starts in Cugnaux, north of Toulouse in Haute Garonne all the way to the winter resort of Luz-Ardiden in Hautes Pyrenees.

 The mountains of the Hautes Pyrenees boast beautiful scenery and is an ideal location for both summer and winter holidays with mountain footpaths to explore, numerous cols to climb on your bike and many ski resorts.
The region offers many places of interest as well as many outdoor activities.  There is always something to do from: caves to canyons, hiking, cycling, and swimming… You can also enjoy the local cuisine and wine as well as the colourful local markets.

 If you fancy living in the lively city of Toulouse have a look at this charming renovated 4-bedroom town house situated in the centre of Toulouse. Price: €620,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22451014

Or if you would rather be in a peaceful location with stunning views, this property might be just for you

A large 18C Pyrenean stone farmhouse typical of the area, just 5 mins from ski slopes, with exceptional panoramic views of the mountains and with 4 separate guest bedroom suites. Price: €892,500

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=17012817

See you tomorrow in the Pyrenees Atlantiques

Wednesday 13th July: The Tour de France will travel from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur. 167.5 kms in the Tarn, Midi Pyrenees.

The region boasts beautiful landscapes with the Gorge du Tarn, woodland, and vineyard dotted with pretty villages and towns.

Offers a multitude of wonderful rural properties, both stone and brick-built, set amongst rolling hills or in the dramatic landscapes of the Gorges du Tarn

There are still plenty of old farmhouses and barns to restore as well as imposing properties with outbuildings, stables and land. 

• Partly renovated farmhouse set in almost 2 acres of south-facing land with beautiful views. €120,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22458977 

• Elegant town house (450m2) with a small garden and a garage with a roof terrace.€260,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22511633 

• Beautiful 6 bed  stone house from the 19th century  set in 2.9 acres of land with a swimming pool. €660,000

http://www.latitudes.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=22419438