Stage 7 - Into Burgundy

Belfort to Chalon-sur-Saone

Although this is the longest stage of the tour (230km), it is not as demanding as yesterday’s brutal day in the Vosges mountains. There are three categorised climbs, the worst being Cote de Chassagne-Saint-Denis, a category 3 climb (4.3km at 4.7%) and they are all before the 120km mark. The second half of the stage is virtually all down hill as Tony descends from 340m to 170m over the last 90kms. Hopefully this will help Tony conserve energy – there’s no shame in freewheeling into Burgundy!

Unfortunately for Tony, the route he takes into Burgundy will mean he’ll miss the major wine producing areas. However he can take heart that some classic French dishes, of the kind that are both hugely satisfying and extremely tasty originate in this area of France. Unsurprisingly the dishes tend to be made with Burgundian wine or go fantastically well with it. I would hope either Boeuf Bourguignon or Coq au Vin are on the menu tonight! Or if he fancies something lighter there’s always Poulet de Bresse with a simple white sauce and some greens. I’m not sure he’ll go for Cuisses de Grenouille though - not everyone is up for frog legs.

One other fascinating fact from today’s stage: Chalon-sur-Saone is the birthplace of Joseph Nicephore Niepce, often thought of as the father of photography having developed heliography, the technique he used to create the world’s oldest surviving product of a photographic process. A prolific inventor, he, and his brother, are credited with building the world’s first internal combustion engine, the pyreolophore, which powered a boat on the river Saone.

Drink of the day is the Kir – a wonderful aperitif, classically made with crème de cassis and Bourgogne Aligote, although many people prefer using a chardonnay such as Chablis.

Song of the day – Pictures of You by the Cure.