The Belgian City of Liège will Kick-Off the 2012 Tour de France

The Belgian city of Liège, just one hour away by car or train, will host the first stage of the 2012 Tour de France race. The race itself will begin on July 1, 2012 at the Parc d'Avroy, in the heart of Liège, but race headquarters will open its doors on Wednesday, June 27th, on the Quai de Wallonie. More information about the Grand Start 2012 is available on the Tour de France website.

In 2010, Belgium hosted two stages of the Tour de France, on Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5. The race was particularly symbolic as the cyclists passed the European Institutions three days after Belgium assumed the rotating Presidency of the European Union. The tour arrived in Brussels via the Heysel Plateau late Sunday afternoon and continued through the city, ending in front of the King Badouin Stadium, near Belgium's most visited monument, the Atomium. At the finish line, the stage winner was presented with the coveted yellow jersey.

The second stage began in Brussels' museum district, and continued to the French-speaking town of Spa, whose name was given to all spas. The cyclists arrived in Spa that evening, after a challenging course through Belgium's beautiful countryside.

Learn more about Belgium's history with the Tour de France here.

www.visitbelgium.com