Yes, the 2016 Tour de France is coming to NORMANDY

(THIS BLIP WAS ADDED ON 6 JAN 2016)

Nothing seems to be odd about the title .... but until midnight today there is no such entity as Normandy.  The regions are still Upper (Eastern) Normandy and Lower (Western) Normandy.

Tomorrow a major reshuffle takes effect, and the two regions will amalgamate to create the new NORMANDY region.

What about the photo? you may ask.

This was taken on the fringes of the delightful hilltop village of Montpinchon, between Coutances and Saint-Lo.  

The first three sections of the Tour de France are to be based in Normandy, and the town of Carentan will initially serve as the media hub.  All local hotels and other accommodation are probably already fully booked by now.