The Northern France region is in the spotlight this week. Normally, this region is relevant in cycling during one week of the year. When the ladies and gentlemen from Paris race to Roubaix, everyone sighs and sighs over this forgotten piece of land between Belgium and the rest of France. For the cycling enthusiasts, this region has much more to offer than just gravel roads and dirt tracks. Based on stage 6 of the Tour de France 2022 once again showcases a beautiful stretch of cycling terrain in La Grande Boucle. Where the stage ends in Longwy after 220 kilometers from Binche, the proposed tour version from Longwy takes in the surrounding area. Nearly 70 kilometers of enjoyment, with more elevation meters than you might expect, tucked away in there. Are you joining in?
Binche – Belgian cycling parade
Despite the fact that the route does not start in Belgium, let’s take a moment to mention Binche. The route is, after all, inspired by the sixth stage that does start in Binche. This carnival city is increasingly becoming a cycling hub. In the coming years, they will host the Belgian Championship four more times. Yves Lampaert already won the championship in this Walloon city in 2018. And not only that. The ‘wanty’ team is based here, and the Binche-Chimay-Binche course has been run here since 2013. In 2019, Binche was also the starting point for the Tour. The peloton also traveled to France then. Julian Alaphilippe came out on top that time and waved his hands in the air in Epernay. Who will be the next in Longwy this time?
Painful meters
When you take the map with you, you see that Longwy is located just south of the tripoint Belgium-Luxembourg-France. If you zoom in a little further, you immediately conclude that it will be hilly here. It is located in the middle of the extension of the Belgian Ardennes and the undulating Luxembourg region. That means uphill and downhill for most of the route. It is a variation on the short work in the Ardennes. Painful climbs that will stay with you for a while. Like the climb after 12.5 kilometers through the hamlet of Saint Pancré. Up the Grand Rue at an average of five percent but with peaks of up to eleven and even sixteen (!) percent. A real challenge for a professional cyclist, but for others a serious undertaking. After just over two kilometers you reach the top. A true hairpin bend and just over 100 meters later you can tap yourself on the shoulder.
Longuyon
In the range of French chansons many villages, regions and cities are celebrated. Longuyon is not one of them. If you search in the annals of French history, you will surely come across Jacques de Longuyon. On 2/3 of the route you will pass through the village of Longuyon. A place to quickly forget, because even the local Wikipedia will not help you much. The small waterfall in the village will sound like music to your ears. You still have to drive another 20 kilometers. Because make no mistake: this is a route of only 67 kilometers but you will have almost 1000 meters of elevation gain when you return to Longwy. From Longuyon you also follow the route of the original tour stage. If you drive through here in the spring, around April/May, you will find the beautiful yellow fields that surround you.
Longwy
If you are nearing the end of this route, then you haven’t reached it yet. That sounds like a piece of advice from the past, but in this case it really is true. Just like in the final stage (where Wout van Aert was expected to finish), things are really going fast here. You’ll come across the Côte de Pulventeux before tackling the Cote des Religieuses. The delicious dessert of Longwy, we’ll call it that.
Around the old castle there is a path that leads upwards. Or rather, a nice steep climb. As could be seen in the stage, this is a challenging stretch of climbing, passing through the town beautifully, ending almost next to the old castle. A beautiful end to a route that reminds us of the Belgian Ardennes, but in the French countryside instead. Beautiful, isn’t it? Quite unexpected in our opinion.
Route
Read about the beautiful routes here, but also take a look at the routes from Calais and around Arenberg. Cycling in Northern France is more beautiful than you think!
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.