Grand Start
THE YVELINES
The Yvelines department, a link between Paris and Normandy, stretches around the entire western part of the Île-de-France region. Its rich heritage boasts a wealth of manors, churches and forests. Eighty per cent of its surface area is covered by natural spaces. The Seine River and many other water courses cross the department, whose plain is interspersed with pronounced valleys. The beauty of its landscapes and the quality of its environment have built up its reputation.
Through its strategic geographical position, the territory is a major player in the Greater Paris area. The Yvelines is the leading industrial department in the Île-de-France and brings together a considerable number of researchers in booming sectors: automobile, aeronautics, aerospace, defence, etc. To prepare tomorrow’s jobs, the General Council is encouraging sectorial diversification, as witnessed in eco-construction and car manufacturing, as they evolve to the demands of future mobility.
Soft mobility in the department is indeed an integral part of such eco-mobility, with 860 km of cycling routes and development of inter-modality in public transport. The Yvelines department is connected to the two many European cycling routes: the London to Paris Green Avenue and Véloscénie between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel. A comprehensive range of routes is available to cycling enthusiasts of all levels.
With more than 400,000 registered participants in the department, sport significantly contributes to the dynamism of the Yvelines department. Through financing facilities, such as the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines national cycling stadium, promoting green tourism and supporting major events, such as golf’s Ryder Cup throughout 2018, the road cycling French championships at Mantes-la-Jolie and the last stage of the Tour de France in Houilles, the General Council encourages the enjoyment of sport and leisure in nature’s open spaces. The partnership between the Yvelines General Council and A.S.O. that has been in effect for the last nine years will this year be offering the starts of the first and second stages on Paris-Nice to Chatou and Orsonville, as well as witnessing the organisation of “Cycling for all in Yvelines”, a family-friendly festival including many cyclo-touring rides.
