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Once known for its arms manufacturing, the industrial city of Saint-Étienne has also been called the bicycle capital of France. Most bicycle manufacturing has moved to Asia, but the city was once home to the Motobécane and Vitus factories. Saint-Étienne is still home to the world’s best known wheelbuilding company, Mavic (whose name is an acronym for Manufacture d’Articles Velocipediques Idoux et Chanel).
Saint-Étienne often plays host to a stage of Le Tour. Lance Armstrong’s only stage win in 2005 was the time trial that passed through Saint-Étienne. He went on to claim his 7th overall victory that year in Paris. Photo by Nick Auger and Damian Bickett
And! And! And! St-Étienne has the amazing Musée d’Art et d’Industrie which should also be called the “Bikes, Guns, and Silk Ribbons Museum”. The entire history of the bicycle in France is represented in the basement with some beautiful old bikes. Also they have a really cool bookstore.
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