Cahors has served as a Tour venue once before. In 1994, Frenchman Jacky Durand won his first stage in the city following a route from Bergerac. He went on to win two more, in 1995 and 1998, but his 65th placing in the 1998 Tour remains his highest overall finish.

The city itself is famed for its food and wine production, offering such commodities as luxury truffles, cheese and chocolate to the many tourists who visit its ancient streets alongside the River Lot.

The peloton with face four ‘king of the mountains’ on stage 18, the steepest of which comes after 15km at Cotê de Salvezou – 1.3km at an average gradient of 6.5%. The two sprints come at St. Cyprien and Dignac, after 66km and 192km respectively.

The destination, Angoulême, will make its second appearance as a Tour host this year. In 1975, Italian Francesco Moser claimed one two stage wins that year in the town, on his way to the yellow jersey and a 7th place overall finish. The three-time Paris-Robaix winner only competed in the Tour once, a decision likely based on his weakness in the mountains.

Angoulême, situated in the department of Charente, is built upon a plateau and home to the International comic strip festival. It is met by the Charente River to the north and Anguienne River to the south and west.

Jean-Michel Monion, Tour de France official, on stage 18: "The terrain should provide some great opportunities for the attackers to shine, whereas the leaders will apply themselves to strengthening their position. Watch out, it promises to be tense."