Stages
15September
YVERDON-LES-BAINS
FIRST STAGE – LOOP STAGE | 15 SEPTEMBER
Start and finish town: Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon-les-Bains
The town with something for everyone
The capital of the Jura-Nord Vaudois district and the second largest town in the canton of Vaud, Yverdon-les-Bains has a population of almost 30,000. The town lies in the heart of French-speaking Switzerland and is one of the region's most easily accessible destinations by rail and road. It also enjoys a unique natural setting, intersected by five waterways and sandwiched between two nature reserves popular with visitors from all over the country.
A lively and pleasant place to live, Yverdon-les-Bains boasts a rich historical heritage and thriving cultural scene. Visitors to the town can stroll through the old centre with its 18th century architecture and admire the impressive castle, which houses a collection of archaeological treasures. Another highlight is the Place Pestalozzi, a vibrant square lined with cafés and restaurants whose terraces look out over the beautiful protestant church and town hall. Here you'll also find the entrances to both the Swiss Fashion Museum and Centre for Contemporary Art. Plus, just around the corner is the "Maison d’Ailleurs" – or House of Elsewhere – a unique museum dedicated to science-fiction, utopia and voyages into the unknown, which is the only one of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland.
As a designated "Commune en santé" – or healthy town – Yverdon-les-Bains is also home to some ground-breaking initiatives to promote sport, exercise and long-term health. The town boasts extensive facilities for both sporting and other leisure pursuits, and has introduced several programmes to promote wellbeing through physical exercise among residents of all ages, from children and families through to the elderly. It also hosts an impressive programme of sporting events, including its annual triathlon.
Welcome to Yverdon-les-Bains!
Stage video
Start town: Romont
16September
ROMONT – TORGON
SECOND STAGE – MOUNTAIN STAGE | 16 SEPTEMBER
Start town: Romont
Welcome to Romont and its surrounding region – the home of glass painting and stained glass!
On 16 September 2023, the capital of the Glâne region, Romont, will host the only stage of the Tour de Romandie Féminin to take place in the canton of Fribourg.
This mountain stage will see the competitors race out across the plateau d’Arruffens and on towards Torgon where they will arrive in the early afternoon.
Nestled on top of a round hill, Romont is a former medieval settlement with a rich artistic and historical heritage. Highlights include the town's castle (home to the Vitromusée glass museum and a beautiful courtyard), gothic collegiate church (with its 15th–20th century stained glass windows, stalls and sculptures), towers, ramparts, bustling shopping streets, and vibrant café terraces and restaurants, not forgetting the panoramic views and the Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu, a Cistercian monastery located just outside the town walls featuring stained glass windows by Brian Clarke. Guided tours of the town, its stained glass windows, the Vitromusée and the nearby town of Rue (the smallest town in Europe) can be arranged with the tourist information office on request.
The countryside surrounding Romont is also the perfect place to unwind. The forêt de Boulogne is a designated recreation area and footpaths, cycleways and MTB tracks criss-cross the region. Culture lovers can also take a tour of the area's contemporary stained glass windows, or explore the small medieval town of Rue and many other affluent surrounding villages. Or for a real back-to-nature experience, visitors can book a farmstay on one of the local farms.
The organisers of the 2nd TDRF look forward to welcoming you to Romont and the canton of Fribourg.
Arrival town: Torgon
Arrival town: Torgon
Torgon
Welcome to Torgon!
Located in the canton of Valais, this small alpine village is an idyllic base from which to explore the beautiful natural landscape of this tranquil region. The scenery around Torgon is nothing short of stunning. Prepare to be lost for words!
Torgon is also an absolute paradise for winter-sports lovers, located directly on one of the largest ski areas in the world – Portes du Soleil – offering miles and miles of varied and well-maintained pistes. Whether you're a skier or snowboarder, beginner or expert, you'll be spoilt for choice. Endless snow-covered vistas extend as far as the eye can see and as you glide down the mountain, you'll be treated to breath-taking panoramas at every turn.
What's more, the winter season is not Torgon's only time to shine. In summer, hikers can enjoy the region's vast network of hiking trails, offering endless possibilities to explore the surrounding mountains, scale the summits, admire the unique alpine flora, and breathe in the crisp mountain air.
Cycling enthusiasts too are extremely well catered for with many stunning routes through ever-changing scenery for road bikes, and electric mountain bikes alike. As you navigate the winding mountain roads, you'll be rewarded with breath-taking views and at the Torgon E-Bike Park you'll find a series of trails designed specifically for electric mountain bikes. Whether you're a complete beginner or seasoned cyclist, a ride through the Swiss mountains around Torgon is a truly unforgettable experience.
And if that wasn't enough, Torgon is also home to the biggest archery trail in Valais. Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the alpine forest, while also putting your archery skills to the test at each of the targets along the route.
Whether you're a mountain sports enthusiast, nature lover or simply want to try something new, Torgon is the place where adventure starts and unforgettable memories are made.
Stage video
17September
VERNIER – NYON
3ÈME THIRD STAGE – FLAT STAGE | 17 SEPTEMBER
Start town: Vernier
Start town: Vernier
Vernier – a vibrant town with a strong sporting tradition
Often overshadowed by its famous neighbour – Geneva – Vernier is in fact the fifth largest town in French-speaking Switzerland. The town is home to over 37,000 residents hailing from almost 150 different nations and extends over 768 hectares along the winding banks of the Rhône river.
Vernier boasts a number of both natural and architectural jewels. With its turquoise blue waters and wild reed beds, the banks of the Rhône offer rare opportunities for relaxation in the heart of Geneva’s vast urban sprawl. Meanwhile, the resolutely modern lines of the housing complexes Le Lignon and Les Avanchets have been commended by numerous architects and are listed on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS).
Hosting the Tour de Romandie Féminin is an honour for Vernier and also confirmation of the town's strong sporting heritage. The town boasts an enormous array of sports clubs, ranging from football and basketball to tchoukball, tennis and synchronized swimming, and is home to some of the biggest and most exciting clubs in French-speaking Switzerland. Vernier is also the proud home of cycling club Sprinter Club Lignon, so it's a real privilege to be selected as the start town for the final stage of the TDRF. In addition to welcoming the biggest names in women's cycling, the town has planned a series of public events to be held before, during and after the race stage itself, including bike rides, get-into-cycling events and a programme of activities in schools. On the day of the race itself, additional stands will also be erected around the town to create a real buzz and make the event a wonderful celebration of cycling.
Welcome to Vernier – where cycling fans can immerse themselves in the action!
Arrival town: Nyon
Arrival town: Nyon
Nyon
Join us on Sunday 17 September for a fantastic celebration of sport!
The town of Nyon has made 2023 its year of women's sport. The final finish in the 2nd Tour de Romandie Féminin marks the climax of a series of initiatives introduced by the town to promote the value of women's sport and improve access for all.
On the race day itself, the town is organising lots of free public events, which will be held by the lakeside from 10 am until midnight.
The programme includes sporting activities run together with local sports clubs and cultural events organised in partnership with Nyon's three museums and other cultural associations, as well as concerts and DJ sets. As Alexandre Démétriadès, the town councillor responsible for sport and culture, explains: "As the host town for the final stage, we want to create a wonderful public celebration of cycling, sport and culture – for the people of Nyon and the wider region." Full programme available at nyon.ch/TDRF
Nyon in a nutshell – fourth biggest town in the canton of Vaud with 23,000 residents, ideally situated between Geneva and Lausanne on the banks of Lake Geneva
Nyon, the sporting town – home to 70 sports clubs (with 8100 members, including 4700 aged under 20), UEFA's headquarters (since 1999), several major sporting events (including the Triathlon de Nyon) and numerous elite sports teams and athletes in many different sports (basketball, football, rugby, tchoukball, sailing, judo, swimming, triathlon and parasports)
Nyon, the town of culture – home to 49 cultural associations and foundations, and three museums: Musée du Léman, Musée romain and Château de Nyon
Nyon, the festival town – home to six festivals: Les Hivernales, Visions du Réel, Caribana, Rive Jazzy, Paléo Festival, and the far° festival for performing arts. Every two years: International Archaeological Film Festival.
