Here is the official description of Gerona:

• 1st-time stage-town
• Population 90,000
• Capital of Girona province in Catalonia (Spain)

The city of Girona, 90 000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name, displays an abundance of patrimonial gems, with traces everywhere apparent: the historical old city, which possesses one of the largest Jewish Quarters (“Calls”) in medieval Catalonia, the cathedral and its nave, the most extensive display of Gothic architecture worldwide, the Saint Félix church and Bell Tower, the Arabian Baths and the Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Pierre de Galligants Romanesque churches.

A university town, Girona boasts a host of museums (cinema, history, art, archaeology) and is an exceptionally fine gastronomic and cultural centre, manifest in the assorted music and theatre festivals of international renown.

The area surrounding Girona is a territory marked by the inheritance of a multitude of chequered cultures, an immense natural splendour and a diverse patrimony: small villages of charm and character forged down the centuries, a changing landscape and a plethora of leisure activities and events to captivate visitors to the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees.

The official description of Barcelona:

• 2-time stage-town
• Population 1,600,000
• Capital of Catalonia (Spain)

Barcelona has always been favoured by its exceptional geographical location. A coastal city, it stands open to the sea and embraces its rich inheritance and its identity. It is from the sea that Barcelona has inherited its strong Mediterranean culture and ideal climate that favours life on the beach, in the streets and squares, all of these areas enjoying an identical abundance of open-air activities; and not only in the summer, but throughout the year. These sites are also the perfect backdrop in which to savour fine Catalan gourmet cuisine.

Barcelona is a city proud of its hills. In the north looms the Sierra de Collserola, a natural landscape of wide open green space, the “lung” and life source of the city of Barcelona. And, rising up almost right in the city centre, Montjuich, the magic mountain, where 19th century style buildings dating from the 1929 Universal Exhibition, and amenities and constructions from the 1992 Olympic Games, merge with nature, in the parks and gardens where the people of Barcelona come to relax and enjoy their city.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | About Spain Travel Guide to Girona | About Spain Travel Guide to Barcelona

_{Photos of Girona and Barcelona, Spain © Tour de France}

The official description of Cap d'Agde:

• 1-time stage-town
• Population 25,000
• Seaside resort attached to Agde in Hérault (34)

Cap d’Agde is a land of contrasts with 14 kilometres of fine sand beaches, protected natural areas devoted to walking and numerous leisure activities and special events for families: tennis, golf, scuba diving, water sports, Aqualand, Ile des Loisirs (Leisure Island), a children’s amusement park, a casino, discotheques, an aquarium, an Underwater Trail, a national Nature Reserve, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology that houses the famous Ephèbe bronze…

Here is the Tour de France description of Montpellier:

• 28-time stage-town
• Population 250,000
• Capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region - Prefecture of Hérault (34)

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Montpellier is the capital of a region with a population growth rate that makes it one of the fastest growing cities in France. Montpellier is a harmonious blend of innovation and Mediterranean-style art of living inherent with tradition, and a sense of community and citizenship. The city remains steeped in the rich inheritance received from the scholars, doctors and thinkers who arrived from both sides of the "Mare Nostrum" to study, teach and exchange academic knowledge.

Enriched by its millennial past, Montpellier is today a dynamic city of 250 000 inhabitants at the heart of an urban community of over 400 000. Over the last twenty years, 35 000 jobs have been created in Montpellier, promoting the emergence of cutting edge technologies with high intellectual value: fine chemistry, health, pharmaceutics, information technologies, environment, tropical and Mediterranean agronomy, but also tourism, which accounts for close to 6 500 jobs. Today, nearly 32 000 companies are already settled in the urban community of Montpellier, a figure that is destined to increase in the next fifteen years, enough to confirm Montpellier’s position among the economic capitals of Southern Europe.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Montpellier, France | Languedoc Region

_{Photo of Montopellier © Michael Carr}

Here is the Tour de France description of Marseille:

• 33-time stage-town
• Population 826,700
• Capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region - Prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône (13)

From the Goudes district to l’Estaque and on through the Old Port, in Marseilles sport is for everyone. International sporting events, regional competitions, sport for fun or fitness, all punctuate city life. Marseilles, a magnificent natural environment with 57 kilometres of coastline, vast stretches of wide open space for outdoor activities, deep sea diving, fishing, sliding and gliding sports, sailing and the Calanques (narrow coves cut out of the rock), a paradise for hikers and rock climbers.

An immense plethora of amenities and facilities are dedicated to a comprehensive range of sports activities: 60 different disciplines for an estimated population of 300 000 sportsmen and women, with 150 000 sports licence holders for 1 500 clubs.

The promotion of sport contributes to the development of social networking and consolidates the identity of a richly cosmopolitan city, associating competitors, school children, sport lovers, families and simple spectators in an identical pursuit.

It is for all of these reasons that the City of Marseilles is doing its utmost to expand the daily practice of sport, but also to host international events that further boost the image of a vibrant and welcoming town.

Here is the blurb about La Grande Motte:

• 2-time stage-town
• Population 8,400
• Town in Hérault (34)

A lush oasis of greenery on the shores of the Mediterranean, located on the Languedoc coastline, kilometres of fine sand beaches at the heart of the Petite Camargue: La Grande-Motte, a thriving seaside resort, invites you to get away from it all.

The town, a unique architectural design, was imagined and created by Jean Balladur, inspired by nature, the outline of the Pic Saint-Loup on the horizon and his wonder at the pre-Columbian Inca pyramids in Mexico. The greenest resort in Europe, the town is more like a luxuriant and refreshing park, where the sun shines 300 days a year.

With a famous international golf course, a pool complex, more than thirty tennis courts, a Thalassatherapy Institute, a casino and private beaches, this is more than a dream holiday destination: it’s a resort entirely focused on recreation and pleasure. A bustling place throughout the year, “the French Florida” encourages you to relax and enjoy some leisure time, sports and water sports.

This coastal town, where everything is here, on the spot, recently celebrated with some emotion its forty years of existence.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Profile of Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur Region

_{Photos © Tour de France}

• First-time stage-town
• Population 17,000
• Sub-prefecture of the Var (83)

Brignoles remains steeped in the Medieval heritage of its past, when the city was the place of residence of the Counts of Provence. A bauxite mining area (named after Baux-de-Provence) for almost one hundred years, this red clay also played a role in forging the wealth and the vibrant identity of Brignoles and its surrounding area. The landscape, awarded recognition as a region of Art and History, illuminates a rich historical, natural and industrial patrimony, together with the keen memory of its inhabitants.

In the summer months Brignoles hosts outstanding events and shows: in August, the Brignoles Jazz Festival and the Medieval Festival, an occasion for lords and beggars to (re)-discover the city in the throes of a medieval gala and, in September, the Plum Festival.

The town also boasts several historical sites that are well worth a visit: the Palace of the Counts of Provence and the Saint-Sauveur church, both dating from the 13th century, and the town Archives, which provide a wealth of historical facts about the ancient city; the oldest documents also date from this epoch.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Profile of Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur Region

_{Photo of Brignoles, © Tour de France}

Here is the official Tour de France blurb on Monte Carlo, capital of the principality of Monaco:

• 5-time stage-town
• Population 32,000
• Capital of the Principality of Monaco

Bordering the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco spans a total surface area of 2 square km - the second smallest State in the world after the Vatican - of which 40 hectares of land were recovered pacifically from the sea. It unfurls along a narrow coastal strip of 4 kilometres bounded by the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera and benefits from a particularly mild and sunny climate throughout the year.

The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the State and is divided into 5 main districts: Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo, La Condamine, Fontvieille and Les Moneghetti. The population, very cosmopolitan, consists of 125 nationalities for 32 000 inhabitants including 8 000 citizens of Monaco, 9000 French and 5000 Italians.

It is a sovereign and independent state within the framework of the general principles of international law and specific conventions with France. For seven centuries, the Grimaldi dynasty has been watching over and working for the destiny of the Principality of Monaco. Throughout history, the Grimaldi have managed to hold on to the independence and sovereignty of the Principality, making Monaco a sovereign state recognised by all.

Find out more: Tour de France 2009 | Monte Carlo, Monaco Picture Gallery

Find out more: Tour de France 2009

I have personally traveled around Southwest France by almost every transportation method. Believe me, there are many ways to get to and get around this corner of France. The main thing is to be sure you know precisely how (and what is the best method) for your itinerary and your destinations.

I've just added a guide to help: Getting to Southwest France.

Also be sure to see my guide to Southwest France for a primer on the area.

_{Photo of the yellow train that provides a breathtaking way to get around the Perpignan area, © David Blaikie}

Few people think of sunbathing as a past-time in Paris, but the "Paris Plage" (French for Paris Beach) proves you can do both city and beach. Along a stretch of the Seine River, bikini-clad sun-worshipers enjoyed sand (shipped in) and a pool.

Want to hit an authentic beach? France has an endless supply! Find out more with my feature, Top Beach Destinations in France. Or hit one of the French territories, beautiful Saint Martin. Find out more with guest writer Naomi Serviss' article, Saint Martin - French Island of Spirit and Freedom (from Clothes).

As you stand at one of several overlooks, the Mediterranean crashes several stories below. Craggy mountains pierce the sea. Steeply sloping vineyards speckle the landscape and crowd the coastline. Spain’s rugged shore can be spotted just to the south.

Find out more about this region that is delightfully undiscovered by tourists, and find a Côte Vermeille itinerary, with Côte Vermeille's Undiscovered Catalan French Beach Towns.

_{Photo of vineyards dotting a Côte Vermeille hillside, copyright Michael Carr.}