For many, summer in France means only one thing: the Tour de France. The cycling event begins on July 5 and concludes on July 27.

Experiencing the Tour de France from the sidelines is always an adventure. Even if you are not a cycling enthusiast, use the Tour as an excuse to visit extraordinary cities.

Take Lille, for example, where the Tour begins. From Amsterdam, the city is only 3.5 hours away by train (and by car as well). It is ideal for a weekend of shopping or a visit to the beautiful historic city center.

On July 10, the peloton departs from Bayeux, famous for the Bayeux Tapestry—a unique 70-meter-long embroidery dating from 1068. There is also a lesser-known fact about the city: did you know that in the summer of 1944, the French government was temporarily based in Bayeux? On June 6, 1944, it was the first major town to be liberated on D-Day.

The Tour visits Saint-Malo a day later. The city is surrounded by an impressive wall that you can walk across. From there, you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea, the harbor, and the city.

Speaking of city walls, those of Carcassonne surround a stunning historic center. It is with good reason that the medieval citadel, the Cité de Carcassonne, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Tour stage ends there on July 20.

The following day, the peloton departs from Montpellier for the Mont Ventoux, notorious among Tour enthusiasts. Montpellier is a city perfect for a day of wandering through narrow streets filled with small boutiques. During your visit, do not miss the Promenade du Peyrou, featuring the Arceaux aqueduct at its end, the Jardin des Plantes, and Place de la Canourgue, which offers a view of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Via the mountains near Vif and Albertville, the Tour crosses the Col de la Loze, which at 2,304 m is the highest point of the race. The route then heads north to finish as usual in Paris on July 27, passing through Montmartre to the Champs-Élysées.