1st, Stage 1, Monts d'Ardèche and Cévennes

You can cycle through the Monts du Vivarais from Aubenas (after a night at the Ibis Aubenas) to La Garde-Guérin (102 km), with:
- in the first 40 km different ascents from 100 to 150 meters above sea level through the Monts du Vivarais,
- the ascent of the Col de l'Echelette (by the beautiful Droubie Valley),
- then do not descend but continue to the top of the Col de Teste Rouge (1079 m),
- a descent on narrow and winding roads (beware!) to the valley of the Borne,
- passage of the rugged valley of the Borne,
- the gradual ascent in 15 km from 350 m to 850 m altitude to the first night address (Auberge Regordane in La Garde-Guérin).
La Garde-Guérin is in the list of the most beautiful villages (Beaux Villages) of France and was a former knight's fief.