Jacques Anquetil is the absolute benchmark as a racer. In 1957, when he made his Tour debut, he had the pleasure of winning on home ground early on in the first of what would be his five victorious Tours. Described by Victor Hugo as “the city of a hundred spires,” it has hosted 18 Tour de France finishes, the last occurring in 2012, when André Greipel won the sprint on the banks of the Seine. The French Championships were held in Rouen twice during Anquetil’s reign, but the victories went to Raymond Poulidor in 1961 and Jean Stablinski in 1963.
- Stage town for the 19th time
- Prefecture of the department of Seine-Maritime (76)
- Population: 114,000 (Rouennais and Rouennaises)
