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New York Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Tour de France stage 11: Pogacar crashes but peloton waits, Abrahamsen wins from breakaway, Healy defends yellow
Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen won an incident-packed stage 11 at the Tour de France on Wednesday, outsprinting Mauro Schmid in Toulouse. Behind him race favorite Tadej Pogačar crashed in the finale, but did not lose any time to his general classification rivals after they waited for him to rejoin them. Advertisement The stage was flat out from the moment the flag dropped, with several attempts to form a breakaway, some briefly successful, some shut down almost instantly. If EF Education-EasyPost were hoping for an easy day defending Ben Healy's yellow jersey, they did not get one, with the race run at an astonishing average speed of 48 kilometers an hour. Halfway through the stage a quintet of Fred Wright, Schmid, Davide Ballerini, Mathieu Burgaudeau and Abrahamsen got themselves clear, but behind them the peloton was in a constant state of flux, a churning mass of attacks and counter-attacks on the hot roads of the Occitanie region in southern France. With around 68km remaining Healy helped whittle down the yellow jersey group to a selection of favorites, while just ahead of them a deluxe chase group including Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and the ever-sprightly Quinn Simmons eased clear in a bid to reach the leading five. The culmination of the stage saw a fascinating five vs five battle, which fragmented on the penultimate climb — the Côte de Vieille-Toulouse — with Simmons attacking and bridging to the front group, which disintegrated at the same point, with Schmid and Abrahamsen attacking and going clear. Van der Poel then made his move on the final steep climb of the Côte de Pech David, but although he painfully and incrementally closed the gap on Schmid and Abrahamsen, he was unable to reach them, with the Norwegian edging the sprint and avoiding a protestor wearing an 'Israel out of the Tour' T-shirt. The Israel-Premier Tech team released a statement on Wednesday evening, condemning the incident. 'Israel-Premier Tech respects everyone's right to free speech which includes the right to protest. However, the team absolutely condemns any protests or actions of individuals that interfere with racing at the Tour de France or threaten the safety of the entire peloton, as was seen on stage 11. We thank the ASO for their swift reaction to ensure the riders were not affected.' Jacob Whitehead and Duncan Alexander break down the key moments from a relentless stage. Find all of The Athletic's Tour de France coverage here. Or follow Global Sports on The Athletic app via the Discover tab. Pogačar was probably thinking of the Hautacam, the brutal Pyrenean climb which serves as the final for Thursday's stage. Wednesday's climbs were done — the only thing left was fewer than 10km into the centre of Toulouse. The next thing Pogačar saw was asphalt, and the central reservation of a French highway. The crash happened after Tobias Halland Johannessen switched to the right to match an acceleration from Visma Lease-a-Bike's Matteo Jorgenson. Johannessen clipped Pogačar and the race favorite lost his balance, veered left, skidded, and went down. Pogačar appeared unhurt — telling his team over the radio that he was fine — but with less than four kilometers remaining, the main risk was losing time to his rivals. However, upon realising Pogačar was down, in a crash which was not his fault, the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel slowed the bunch down, waiting for Pogačar to catch up. Advertisement 'Respect to the peloton,' Pogačar said over his radio, before patting several Visma riders on the back at the finish. 'Respect to everyone, thank you.' Johannessen apologised to Pogačar after the stage. The decision to wait was particularly dramatic after accusations have flown between both UAE and Visma over recent days concerning a 'lack of respect' in feed zones. 'It was a sporting decision,' said Visma's Jorgenson. 'I think after the comments the other day, the accusations of being unsportsmanlike, stuff I've never seen from (Pogačar) before, I think at least now he can be confident that we're trying to beat him in a sporting manner.' 🤝 Sportsmanship at its best! 🤝 La sportivité du peloton !#TDF2025 — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 16, 2025 UAE Team Emirates manager Mauro Gianetti told reporters post-race that the injury was 'nothing big'. 'It's just a little bit of harm to the side of the legs,' he explained. 'And wow, something special happened in front, because even the leader of the race stopped and waited for him to come back. This is chapeau. This is cycling showing something special.' Nevertheless, any crash has an impact on the body the next day — with the Hautacam the riders' first test in the high mountains, the top-level form Pogačar has shown so far this Tour is more uncertain. 'Luckily I just have a little bit of skin off,' Pogačar said post-stage. 'I was scared when I saw the sidewalk that I was going with my head directly to the sidewalk, but luckily my skin is tough and stopped me before the sidewalk.' 'Tomorrow is a big day coming. We'll see how I recover. Normally the day after a crash you're never at the best, but I will give my best tomorrow and we'll see. I think we're ready as a team for Hautacam.' Jacob Whitehead Cyclists suffer, that much is self-obvious and evident from the grimace and sweat. But some cyclists suffer for sport that sometimes feels more like a punishment than a craft, contorting themselves to meet its definitions of improvement and success. Abrahamsen once weighed 60 kg, a weight which, the 29-year-old said last year, had seriously affected his health. In a bid to live up to the heroes of his youth, the weight he shed left him with a delayed puberty — not needing to shave and some inches short of his current height. Two seasons ago, the Norwegian decided something in his career needed to change. Abrahamsen began to eat — putting on 20 kg over a single off-season. Giving up on his climbing dreams? Not a bit of it. Abrahamsen recorded his personal best climbing numbers in the 2024 Tour, animating the polka-dot jersey competition. In Toulouse, however, he eclipsed it all — achieving his first Grand Tour stage win, and just the second major win of his career. Just four weeks earlier, Abrahamsen had broken his collarbone in a crash at stage one of the Baloise Belgium Tour. 'I cried in the hospital thinking I wouldn't make the Tour,' he said after the finish. 'But the day after, I was on the home trainer, trying to get ready.' 🗣️'I broke my collarbone 4 weeks ago… I was crying in the hospital because I thought I would not ride the Tour, but the day after I was on the home trainer…I did everything I could to come back and to win a stage is amazing!' – 🇳🇴 @AbraJonas Interview with a very happy Jonas… — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 16, 2025 He managed to recover in just nine days — 'Maybe I'm superhuman,' he joked to Cycling Weekly before the Grand Depart. Now, he and Uno-X have the first Tour de France stage win in their history, and the day's combativity award too. A word too, for Schmid, who lost a stage he had animated for so long, by so little. No words 💔 What an effort! From KM0 to the finish, a ride to be proud of 👏#TDF2025 — GreenEDGE Cycling (@GreenEDGEteam) July 16, 2025 Jacob Whitehead 'In Toulouse, we usually always have a big bunch sprint,' course designer Thierry Gouvenou told The Athletic earlier this month. 'This year we revised it, there are hills in the final part of the course to try and encourage escapees. We can't offer nine or 10 stages that are completely monotonous.' Well, all we can say is merci, because this stage was a fantastic advertisement for bike racing — there was not a single quiet moment in 157 kilometers. The balance between the riders and the route was perfectly demonstrated in the final part of the stage, with five leaders being chased by five pursuers. On paper the five behind were the stronger quintet, but the five ahead not only knew they had to work perfectly together to stay clear, they fully committed to doing so. There's a phenomenon in road racing called Group Two Syndrome, where a chasing group works less than optimally because there it will contain riders who work less hard than their temporary-allies, hoping to save some energy for when the group in front is eventually caught. Except this lack of cooperation — even if it is subtle — often means that the second group do not in fact reach the riders they are chasing. 🇺🇸 Big attack from @QuinnSimmons9 on the côte de Vieille-Toulouse, who will try to get back to the front of the race on his own. 🇺🇸 Grosse attaque de @QuinnSimmons9 dans la côte de Vieille-Toulouse qui va tenter de rentrer seul sur la tête de course.#TDF2025 — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 16, 2025 But that's where route design kicks in. Because the final two climbs of today's stage were perfectly placed (and of an ideal steepness) to allow the both the leading and second groups to self-destruct via successful attacks. Up top, Schmid and eventual-winner Abrahamsen went clear on the Côte de Vieille-Toulouse, as did Simmons from the second group, while on the Côte de Pech David, Van der Poel made a huge move. 💥 @mathieuvdpoel drops his breakaway companions on the Pech David climb. But @AbraJonas and Mauro Schmid still have a 30-second lead! 💥 @mathieuvdpoel lâche ses compagnons d'échappée dans la côte de Pech David. Mais @AbraJonas et Mauro Schmid ont toujours une trentaine de… — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 16, 2025 That left the Dutchman in a 'group two' on his own — one where no syndrome is present, just a requirement for sheer effort. The route of this year's Tour de France continues to generate superb racing. Helped, of course, by the relentless effort of the riders. Duncan Alexander After Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April, third-placed Healy walked into the podium area and embraced victor Pogačar, before grabbing the Slovenian by both shoulders. 'When do you retire?' he mock-begged the reigning Tour de France champion. 'Well, I have a contract until 2030,' Pogačar replies. 'So maybe then.' Advertisement Fast-forward three months. Healy is currently wearing the yellow jersey and leading the Tour — ahead of Pogačar. Now, the Irishman has limited pedigree in the high mountains, and it would be a surprise if he retains yellow past Thursday's stage up the Hautacam — but EF have vowed to do everything they can to retain the jersey, despite the faintness of Healy's ultimate GC ambitions. But having seized yellow with a long-range attack, would Healy stay aggressive? 'I think we'll be taking a much more defensive posture at this point in time,' EF team boss Jonathan Vaughters told reporters. 'Of course, I love the very aggressive style that we have, but ultimately we'll honor the jersey, we'll defend the jersey and I'm sure Ben is going to keep the jersey as long as he possibly can. We'll dedicate ourselves to a much more traditional strategy as long we can possibly can do that.' Later, Vaughters stated that he believed a top five finish for Healy was possible — which would represent a shock result. Healy's previous highest finish in a Grand Tour was 27th in last year's Tour. To keep him high on GC, EF's rouleurs — big-engine riders such as Kasper Asgreen, Michael Valgren, and Harry Sweeny — had to keep him safe at the front of the bunch, especially with the aggressive conclusion to Wednesday's stage. Save for one early moment when they were on the wrong side of a brief split in the peloton for 5km — and were summarily told off over the radio by directeur sportif Charly Wegelius — they did that job. Healy finished with the main group of GC favourites, holding onto comfortably over the Côte de Pech David and retained his 29-second lead in yellow. Jacob Whitehead The next day sometimes feels a long time away on the Tour, not least the next year, but the key topic at Soudal-Quickstep's rest day press conference on Tuesday was the subject of Evenepoel's future. Contracted at Soudal-Quickstep until 2026, the 24-year-old double Olympic champion is currently third on GC — but his team are significantly weaker than UAE Team Emirates and Visma Lease-a-Bike. Speculation about Evenepoel's long-term future at the team has run on for months — with INEOS and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe both holding a long-standing interest. Asked directly whether he could guarantee he would be remaining at Soudal-Quickstep next season, Evenepoel replied: 'The year 2026 is still far away. It should be clear that I cannot answer these kinds of things. There is speculation and we have to keep everyone happy. 'I had a big discussion with (CEO) Jurgen Foré about this topic, because he is also worried. We talked about it and everything is clear. So that's the answer I can give.' Advertisement However, it is understood that Evenepoel is set to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe next season, with a long-term deal expected to be finalised over the coming months. Red Bull should be able to offer Evenepoel much more climbing support in the high mountains, boasting names such as Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz, and Giulio Pellizzari on their roster, and they possess one of the largest budgets on the WorldTour. Jacob Whitehead Intermarche-Wanty were visited ahead of the stage by former Chelsea and Belgium footballer Eden Hazard, a big cycling fan, who rode up Mount Ventoux in the team's jersey last summer. Second week of the Tour de France 💛 With the support of Eden Hazard 🇧🇪 — Intermarché-Wanty (@IntermarcheW) July 16, 2025 'I used to watch a lot Tour de France, every holiday, every summer, but then when you play football, it's not easy to find time to do cycling,' he told The Athletic at Soudal-Quickstep's bus, where he was a guest of fellow Belgian sporting superstar Evenepoel. 'When I retired two years ago, the first thing I wanted to do was to climb Ventoux. I called my friends, and told them: 'Let's go for that.' When I have time, I have a few friends in Madrid, and we'll still go out riding for a few hours.' Jacob Whitehead The race finally reaches the Pyrenees, taking a steady route to the Col du Soulor before sending the riders up Hautacam for the seventh time in the race's history, a 13.5km climb with an average gradient of 7.8 per cent. Vingegaard put Pogačar to the sword here in 2022 to all but seal his first overall title.
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ben Healy holds on to yellow jersey after Tour de France Stage 11
A stage of no significant upheaval in the Tour de France finished in Toulouse with Ben Healy safely retaining his leader's yellow jersey. That being the order of the day, Healy was content to roll in with the main peloton. After Tuesday's first rest day, the Tour resumed with Stage 11, a dynamic 154km loop around Toulouse in the heart of the Occitanie. The last 50km were a proper rollercoaster, the testing Cote de Pech David coming 8km before the finish. From there it was a downhill run back into Toulouse, where Denmark's Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility took the stage win just ahead of Mauro Schmid of Team Jayco Alula, the pair being the last survivors from a couple of breakaways that opened over three minutes on the main contenders inside the last 20km. There was some drama with 4km to go when reigning champion Tadej Pogačar crashed on a flat stretch of road before quickly remounting and rejoining the main peloton. READ MORE Pogačar still came home with Healy, who finished 24th, three minutes and 27 seconds behind Abrahamsen, along with the other main general classification contenders, perfectly safe in yellow for at least another day. Healy had started Stage 11 leading the GC by 29 seconds from Pogačar of UAE-Team Emirates, with Belgian Olympic road-race champion Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step third, 1'29 down on Healy. Healy, Pogačar, Evenepoel and two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike (fourth in the GC, 1'46 down on Healy), all finished together in the peloton, leaving the GC gaps unchanged. Remco Evenepoel (white), Ben Healy (yellow) and Jonathan Milan (green) at the start of the 11th stage of the 2025 Tour de France. Photograph: Jasper Jacons/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images For Healy and his team EF Education–EasyPost, this was always going to be a day of protecting, not attacking. There were a series of breakaway efforts in the opening half of the stage, Healy and his team-mates riding at the front of the peloton, showing no interest in charging away. Decked out in yellow, Healy had spoken beforehand about doing his best to protect the leader's jersey for at least one day. In the end, none of the main contenders showed their hand. Healy still holds on to the white jersey, awarded each day to the best rider aged 25 or under, ahead of Evenepoel. After finishing within sight of the Pyrenees, Thursday's 181km Stage 12 will head straight for the mountains, finishing on the fearsome Hautacam, the first hors-category climb of the Tour so far. That is sure to shake up the GC – as will Friday's hilly 11km time trial. Healy, however, will get to wear yellow for one more day, at the very least, everything about Stage 11 suggesting he is well up for the battle up Hautacam. After his storming ride on Bastille Day, his third-place finish on Stage 10 saw him become only to fourth Irish rider to be awarded the yellow jersey, the first since Stephen Roche wore it for three days during his outright Tour win in 1987. Shay Elliott held the race lead for three days back in 1963, as did Seán Kelly for one day in 1983. 'I just want to honour the jersey the best I possibly can do,' Healy said ahead of Wednesday's stage. 'I know what I'm up against, so it's going to be hard. But I'll give it my all, that's for sure. To have everyone there who means so much to me and who got me to where I am ... that's going to be a super special day.'
The Independent
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Toulouse edge Bordeaux Begles in extra-time thriller to secure third straight Top 14 title
Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final on Saturday. Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33. A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch. Petti and Pierre Bochaton were handed yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match. After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence. Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down. Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux. Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time. France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury and the latter who was playing his first match after suffering a concussion.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Best Foodie Souvenirs In Toulouse, France (And Why Visit Now)
Toulouse, France Think Paris, but with better weather, more rosé, and way less attitude. Home of the AirBus headquarters, Toulouse recently nabbed Lonely Planet's top city to visit in 2025—and trust me, it's earned it. From its pink-brick charm to its laid-back canalside vibes, 'La Ville Rose' is where culture and cool collide. It's also easier than ever to get to Toulouse. No more stop overs in Paris as the first non-stop direct flight from North America to Toulouse on AirCanada from Montreal, Canada recently launched. This year, the city's musical soul is on full display. As a newly designated UNESCO City of Music, Toulouse hits all the right notes—especially in June, when the legendary Rio Loco festival brings global rhythms to the banks of the Garonne. It's world music meets world party. Summer keeps the tempo high with Tangopostale's sultry tango dance vibes and the ultra-chill Siestes Électroniques electronic fest in the Compans-Caffarelli Garden. Add in museum reopenings (hello, Musée des Augustins in late 2025), Gothic grandeur, and a thriving food scene—16 restaurants with Michelin distinction—, and you've got a trip worth booking yesterday. And when you're ready to roam, the dreamy Occitanie region is right on your doorstep—think Albi's Toulouse-Lautrec vibes, fairy-tale villages like Cordes-sur-Ciel, Carcassonne—the oldest medieval fortress in Europe dating back to the Roman era and namesake for the crazy popular Carcassonne board game—and vineyard-dotted countryside perfect for lazy day trips. You can even captain your own houseboat with Le Boat—think AirBnB of houseboats worldwide—and tour the countryside via Canal Du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canal du Midi When it comes to edible souvenirs, American expat Jessica Hammer of Taste of Toulouse is a connoisseur of the authentic, the unexpected, and of course—delicious. With her deep local knowledge, she's your secret weapon for shopping like a savvy gourmand in the pink city. So next time you head to Toulouse, bring an empty suitcase and a curious palate. Your taste buds (and lucky friends back home) will thank you. Here are the best food souvenirs in Toulouse and the broader Occitanie region: One of B. Authié's specialties, a Paris-Brest filled with violet cream and topped with sugared ... More violets. Toulouse is famously fragrant with violets, and Hammer's favorite way to bottle that floral magic? Crystallized violets—'real flower petals crystallized in sugar syrup.' They're not just pretty and packable; she drops them in sparkling wine for a delicate purple hue. 'So pretty,' she sighs. Her go-to source is Pâtisserie B. Authié, but these sugar-dusted blossoms pop up everywhere from pastry shops to airport kiosks. La Maison de a Violette, a gift shop in a barge for all things violet. For the full violet experience, she recommends a pilgrimage to La Maison de la Violette, a 'floating' shop—or barge on the canal—devoted to all things purple and petaled. 'The owner, Hélène, has dedicated her life's work to promoting violet products—not just food, but also perfumes and bath items.' Sold at Fromagerie Xavier, Pave Toulousain cheese or brick cheese is a specialty cheese from ... More Toulouse. It's a great Toulouse food souvenir to bring home because it comes in a box. When asked what cheese to bring home, Hammer doesn't hesitate… Pavé Toulousain: Created by the famed François Bourgon of Fromagerie Xavier, this cube-shaped cheese is a loving nod to Toulouse's iconic brick architecture. 'It personifies Toulouse's mix of tradition and innovation,' Hammer says, noting it travels well and comes in a stylish wooden box.. Mont d'Or: Available from October through March, this creamy cheese from the Jura region, just a few hours from Toulouse, comes in its own wooden box. It's perfect for baking into a fondue-like dish. While soft cheeses can be tricky to transport, Mont d'Or's packaging makes it a feasible option. If you bring it home, try David Lebovitz's—the most famous American food writer that lives in Paris—Mont d'Or fondue recipe! Fénétra is an apricot and lemon 'travel cake'—a traditional baked good from Toulouse, France. While baguettes may tempt you, they're better left behind. Instead, Hammer loves gâteaux de voyage—'travel cakes' meant to journey. The standout cake to bring home from Toulouse? Fénétra, a local tart filled with apricot jam and candied lemon peel, topped with almond meringue takes the cake. A highlight for a spirit lover, reserve a armagnac tasting and tour at the high-design tasting room ... More at Chateau Arton in France's Gascony region. Oenologist Fabrice Saramon leads the tasting here. For something truly unique, try a bottle of Armagnac—Toulouse's more rugged cousin to Cognac and France's oldest brandy, more than 700 years old. If you have time in your schedule, visit Château Arton— a certified organic vineyard producing award-winning Armagnac for a tasting. Located in the beautiful countryside in a town called in Lectoure, Château Arton was the first Armagnac to receive the Prix d'Excellence‚ like the Oscars for French food. Make sure to ask about the magic mold that works in happy partnership with the spirit as it ages. Papilles' bottled cocktails are a super hip gift to bring home for the craft cocktail lover on your ... More list. This one especially screams the region. Gin fans should hunt down Le Point G, flavored with violet and spirulina—a cheeky French nod to the G-spot. Don't miss the Rainbow canned cocktail, a pack-friendly tribute to artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's original 19th-century recipe. Crafted by Alexis Taoufiq, a "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" and award-winning mixologist, this ready-to-drink cocktail is artful, aromatic, and effortlessly chic. Pick up a few at Papilles, his boutique bottle shop in Toulouse and also in the nearby town of Albi. Violet liqueurs, found at the airport, are great to bring home too. Grocery store food souvenirs are all the rage, right? Hammer is gleefully obsessed with 'goat cheese with Espelette pepper' flavored chips. Feeling brave? Try anise-flavored potato chips as well. Although Castelnaudary is most credited as the home of cassoulet, Toulouse hosts the annual World ... More Championships of Cassoulet annually. 'You don't find chocolate shops like this back home,' says the American expat, now food tour guide. She admits it was very hard to choose favorites—'there are so many great chocolate shops in Toulouse, France'—but ultimately highlighted Criollo, Bello & Angeli, and Cacaofages for their exceptional chocolats enrobés (covered chocolates). Whether you're craving bars or bonbons, these elegant, easy-to-pack treats make perfect gourmet gifts. Of course, no conversation about Toulouse food is complete without cassoulet, the region's slow-cooked, bean-and-meat pride. Hammer's top pick? Last year, she put her palate to the test at Le Genty Magre, a local cassoulet competition she likens to 'a chili cook-off contest but for cassoulet.' Among five entries, her standout favorite was the one from Émile's, which also clinched the audience choice award. Another go-to she recommends is La Colombière, a beloved family-owned spot serving up a fan-favorite cassoulet year after year. Where to find the best canned cassoulet in Toulouse: Maison Garcia in Victor Hugo market. However, for cassoulet to bring home? Maison Garcia, which she swears is 'the real deal' when paired with a baguette. Find Maison Garcia canned cassoulet and other incredible meat-based products, like the most rare Spanish jamón ibérico, at the incredible Victor Hugo market. 'For gifts, I don't really recommend going to grocery stores in France— the good stuff is at épiceries or specialty food stores,' says Hammer. Her go-to? Cafe Bacquie, a speciality shop across the street from Victor Hugo Market. 'They have great gifts like preserves, salts, mustards, even chocolate.' Jessica Hammer prepares an incredible wine-paired tasting of Victor Hugo Market delights on a Taste ... More of Toulouse tour. In addition to taking Jessica's in depth (and delicious!) Taste of Toulouse food tour, here are the best things to do in Toulouse: Book a ride on Minotaur, Halle de La Machine's most famous machine. Toulouse, France Get ready for your jaw to be on the floor at Halle de La Machine—the entrie time. This performance theater-meets-Tinkertown museum is a marvel—perfect for any age. Engineering at its best using upcycled parts to create otherworldly animals, tectonic shows, and interactive art using fire, automation, sound and actors. If you have time and love theatrical dining, book a 'Lunch of Little Machines' where performers (ie. your servers) partner with machines to deliver the most entertaining culinary adventure. And don't miss the The Manège Carré Sénart across the street—it's like no other merry-go-round you've ever seen before. Cité de l'Espace is where space nerds and starry-eyed dreamers unite! Touch real moon rocks, walk through a life-size Mir space station, and even try your hand at astronaut training. It's part science museum, part intergalactic playground—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and anyone who's ever looked up at the stars and said, 'What if?' At her boutique AHPY, Annette Hardouin is reviving the ancient art of dyeing with pastel (Isatis ... More tinctoria) one workshop at a time. Toulouse, France Step into a world where history and fashion intertwine at AHPY Créations Bleu de Pastel boutique in Toulouse. Led by master artisan Annette Hardouin, this workshop revives the ancient art of dyeing with pastel (Isatis tinctoria), the plant that once brought immense wealth to the region during the Renaissance. You'll learn the meticulous process of transforming natural fabrics into stunning shades of blue using time-honored techniques. A pastel dyed scarf sold at the AHPY shop is also a winning Toulousian souvenir. Packing This French Food Could Get Your Global Entry Privilege Revoked I Knew About Toulouse-Lautrec's Infatuation For Women, Not Dandies Headed to Albi? What You Need to Know Why You Should Visit the Eastern Pyrenees of France
Morocco World
23-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Dakhla, France's Dreux Forge Twinning Path with Friendship Pact Signing
Doha – Dreux and Dakhla signed a Friendship Pact on Thursday, laying the groundwork for their future twinning. The agreement, signed by Dreux Mayor Pierre-Frédéric Billet and Dakhla Communal Council President Erragheb Hormattollah, symbolizes equality and mutual progress in economic and cultural domains. The signing ceremony took place during the 'Salon du Maroc' in Dreux, running from May 21-25. This exhibition showcases Moroccan craftsmanship, gastronomy, and traditions, with the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region as the featured guest of honor. Morocco's Ambassador to France, Samira Sitaïl, inaugurated the salon on Wednesday. She was accompanied by Dreux Mayor Billet, Dakhla-Oued-Eddahab Regional Council First Vice-President M'Barek Hammia, Centre-Val-de-Loire Regional President François Bonneau, and Dakhla Communal Council President Hormattollah. 'The region is largely represented through the various stands we have visited, where we could measure everything these Moroccan regions intend to offer to the rest of the world,' Sitaïl noted during the inauguration. The exhibition brings together over 120 exhibitors from Morocco's twelve regions. They display handmade carpets, pottery, and traditional jewelry. Interactive workshops allow visitors to discover Moroccan cuisine, traditional music, Arabic calligraphy, and beauty rituals. The event is part of 'L'Année du Maroc à Dreux' (Morocco Year in Dreux), launched in January. This initiative aims to highlight the human wealth of both countries in a city that symbolizes Franco-Moroccan friendship. This municipal alliance emerges within a broader framework of subnational diplomatic engagement between Paris and Rabat. Last month, Occitanie became the first French region to formalize cooperation with Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, signing a declaration of intent on April 24. Read also: Western Sahara: France's AFD to Invest €150 Million in Morocco's Southern Provinces The Occitanie agreement established collaboration in key sectors including economy, industry, higher education, and environment. It prioritizes aeronautics, green hydrogen, offshore wind energy, sustainable mobility, university cooperation, research, and tourism. The day after the Occitanie agreement, Montpellier Mayor Michaël Delafosse visited Dakhla to explore business opportunities and discuss cooperation focusing on water sports, cultural exchanges, and sustainable economic projects. The initiatives now underway translate high-level diplomatic rhetoric into actionable frameworks. President Emmanuel Macron's formal recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the region in July 2024 aligned France with the 110 countries that back Morocco's Autonomy Plan. This marked the inflection point that dismantled decades of calculated ambiguity, propelling Paris from guarded neutrality to an unequivocal affirmation of Morocco's territorial sovereignty. These territorial partnerships crystallize France's strategic reorientation toward Morocco's southern provinces, serving as a concrete outgrowth of the 'Enhanced Exceptional Partnership' framework concluded in October 2024 during Macron's state visit to Rabat. Tags: DakhlaMorocco France Relations
