With group play in EuroLeague Women nearly over
two spots in the play-ins remain up for grabs
Can Perfumerias Avenida overcome the odds and defeat Tango Bourges Basket to stay in the hunt
There are just two weeks remaining in EuroLeague Women group play
and six of the 11 competing clubs have already qualified for spots in the next round
Here’s who has already clinched their respective spots
Basket Landes and Perfumerias Avenida are all in the mix; Bourges and Avenida will play each other this week
and what’s at stake makes it a must-watch matchup—though due to some unfortunate circumstances surrounding the health of Avenida’s roster
The penultimate week of the Second Round means it’s crunch time @CBAvenida or @BourgesBasket: who will take the 11th #EuroLeagueWomen Game of the Week
Elsewhere, Valencia Basket Club will battle Casademont Zaragoza for play-in seeding, while ÇBK Mersin will try to improve to 11-0 in a matchup against a formidable Beretta Famila Schio club. As always, the games will be streamed live and for free on FIBA’s EuroLeague Women YouTube channel and DAZN
so let’s go over everything we’ll be watching for this week as group play reaches its apex
Where: Metro Energy Sports Hall in Istanbul
How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream
Kamiah Smalls (Umana Reyer Venezia); Ariel Atkins
Where: Espace François Mitterrand in Mont-de-Marsan
How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream
Eliška Hamzová (Žabiny Brno); Destiny Slocum
How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream
Matchup details: Schio hasn’t suffered a loss quite like the blowout Mersin delivered earlier in group play
so you can bet the Italian club will be hungry to show they’re more evenly-matched than that result would indicate
Schio made just one 3-pointer in that game
winning its three second-round games by an average of 23.7 points per game
but Schio will need to play flawlessly in order to pull it off
Mersin is currently averaging a group-leading 79 points per game and Anderson
Howard and Rupert are all shooting above 50 percent from the field
Where: Pabellón Príncipe Felipe in Zaragoza
How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream
Alba Torrens (Valencia Basket Club); Markeisha Gatling
and while Valencia has some big names on its roster
Zaragoza has proven itself more than capable of slaying giants in the competition
Where: Pabellón Municipal Würzburg in Salamanca
How to watch: DAZN
Kariata Diaby (Tango Bourges Basket); Sika Koné
the health and safety of Avenida’s players should obviously take precedence
Bourges will clinch its spot in the play-ins with a win
though in fairness to Avenida’s ailing players
there’s a good chance that will still be the outcome next week even if Avenida wins this game
You don't have permission to access the page you requested.
What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed.
Download NowZARAGOZA (Spain) - There were celebrations for CIMSA CBK Mersin as they won a nail-biting and hard-fought EuroLeague Women Quarter-Final clash with Tango Bourges Basket 66-59 to move into Friday's Semi-Finals.
The Turkish side will match up against Valencia Basket Club having done the business in crunch time with a late surge and keeping Bourges scoreless in the last three minutes.
Turning pointAt 59-59 with just a few minutes to play, the outcome was hanging in the balance. But Mersin shut down their opponents with their 2-3 zone defense and it helped spark a 7-0 run that effectively sealed the victory.
Karlie Samuelson impressed for Mersin with 11 points and 9 boards off the bench and her efficient production was a difference-maker. Meanwhile Natasha Howard was not at her best shooting-wise as she works her way back to full fitness, yet somehow still weighed in with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The depth of Mersin was super important as they received 26 points off the bench compared to just 12 for their opponents. Bourges also put up a lot of perimeter shots, but only made just over a quarter with 7 of 27.
Mersin's ability to rotate deeper and use more options was fundamental to them digging out a precious win. While it wasn't pretty, the performance was never going to be the important thing - only the victory. They will feel they have the talent, star names and options to reach their second Final in three seasons.
Bourges did a great job of pushing Mersin all the way, but they missed far too many good looks in crunch time and that was the cause of their drought down the stretch. Their smart team basketball and physical approach was present again - as well as a nice display from playmaker Pauline Astier. But, it wasn't to be.
They said"It was intense. The fans were amazing and energetic. Bourges played incredible and we knew they were going to play hard and put up a good fight. We were happy to pull out the win." CIMSA CBK Mersin winger Bridget Carleton
“Firstly, I am happy that we won the game. We played really well. I changed some defense in the game and we did this to break the Bourges team. And they made just 59 points and this is very important for us. But it was a tough game. I hope Friday [against Valencia] we can play even better.” CIMSA CBK head coach Ahmet Kandemir.
"It’s tough. I think we had a very good game today, .We executed our plan very well. We ar at the same numbers as with Mersin. We had a belief we would get the win. I am proud of the team. We will learn from today." Tango Bourges Basket forward Artemis Spanou
"It was a tough defeat. I told them we needed to make it a game and be the first fighting team on the floor and I am so proud of what we have done. We had to stay focused on what we could control. With the face we showed tonight, I am sad we did not win because I think my players deserved it." Tango Bourges head coach Olivier Lafargue.
Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - With two clubs already holding tickets to Final Six
the excitement and tension is building across EuroLeague Women as the remaining teams eye up a similar prize
This includes French duo and huge rivals Tango Bourges Basket and Basket Landes who will re-engage in another derby matchup
It was Landes who took the honors in their previous Group E meeting
so will Bourges make home advantage pay this time
when they racked up a huge victory against their opponents in the French league
As well as checking out this 'Game of the Week' - available exclusively live and free on DAZN - there are another four matchups to check out
while we also get to continue playing our exciting 'Beat the Expert' game
Each week our FIBA women's basketball specialist and resident EuroLeague Women expert Paul Nilsen faces a different guest challenger in our prediction game
For this latest week, he's up against Lukas Nicot, a French journalist and commentator.
Predict the winners of this week's games below!
Valencia guard Leticia Romero chose a great time to come up with a season-high 19 points to lead her team past Casademont Zaragoza 79-64.
The Belgian star produced a top class line of 22 points, 9 assists, 5 steals and 5 rebounds, while Tina Charles also produced in the paint with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
BOURGES (EuroCup Women) – Tango Bourges Basket have claimed a maiden EuroCup Women title after defeating fellow French club and defending champions ESBVA-LM 105-93 on aggregate
Having won the first leg 51-40 on the road on 6 April
Tango Bourges Basket led throughout the return leg
eventually prevailing 54-53 in front of a 5,000-strong sold out home crowd
Whilst it is Tango Bourges Basket’s maiden EuroCup Women title
the club have won EuroLeague Women three times and also lifted the Liliana Ronchetti Cup
FIBA’s week of European women’s Finals continues in Istanbul on Friday evening with the EuroLeague Women Final Four Semi-Finals
Defending champions ZVVZ USK Prague take on UMMC Ekaterinburg in the first matchup
prior to host club Fenerbahce going up against Nadezhda Orenburg Region
The Third-Place game and Final will both take place on Sunday. Watch the Final Four games live on livebasketball.tv and re-live highlights, top actions and the atmosphere on our Final 4 Wrap on YouTube.com/FIBA
For full EuroCup Women coverage click here.
€25.00Add to cart
with the vegetable gardens set on the marshes just 100 metres away
the Saint-Etienne Cathedral is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992
admirable for its proportions and uniform design
this majestic building had witnessed the power of Christianity in medieval France
It is also home to a number of cultural centres and art galleries
sculptors and ceramists find their inspiration in the heart of this former Berry province
This incredible variety of creation is due to the diversity of the local landscapes
evoking both the poetry of George Sand’s rural novels and the mysterious atmosphere of Alain-Fournier’s “Le Grand Meaulnes”
Its historic heart is all about cobbled streets
As soon as you stray away from these architectural jewels
with the market gardeners truly respectful of their land
they are cultivating their produce in total peace of mind
These marshes are yet another specific attraction of this central France destination
Bourges is making the most of its natural resources and idyllic landscapes
Many artists also find their inspiration here
so unsurprisingly Bourges was chosen as the 2028 European Capital of Culture
the “Bourges Contemporain” (Modern Bourges) trail running through the heart of the city and nature bathed in the omnipresent water
has introduced the public to artists of all genres
Bourges is already home to a number of exhibitions
wash houses and grandiose local landscapes
sound or digital arts all rub shoulders here
Bourges is masterfully expanding bridges and weaving links between the multiple and varied modes of expression
Last summer twenty exhibitions introduced us to some 120 artists
it was the “Dorica Castra” score finely performed by Dominique Blais and Marie Tuckova at the “Château d’eau” (transformed for the occasion into the “Château d’art”)
The two artists skillfully managed to embrace the spirit and exploit the labyrinth of this large round 24-metres high building
filmed images and a weaving work of great power
just water dropping… This sensitive exhibition is to be listened to over and over again
flowing over the time you want to suspend just to pursue this journey
it truly shines thanks to its spirit of openness and exceptional atmosphere
for almost fifty years this gallery has been promoting artists of all kinds
In 2024 Claudi Casanovas invited us to his “Moon Garden” with the sculptures
Gérard Fournier’s creations were exploring the contrast between the weight of a mineral and the transparency of glass
Nathalie Grall’s engravings were bursting with life
revealing a genuine brilliance halfway between figuration and abstraction
whilst Brigitte Pénicaux’ ceramics were just as astonishing…
The “Modern Bourges” trail is then taking us to the countryside
to reveal some unsuspected installations right in the heart of nature
The 2024 “Allons voir!” trail was an in situ dialogue between the contemporary creations and the ancestral rurality
Bourges is thus offering a wide range of contemporary creations in these exclusive venues
Bourges has been famously hosting its “Spring”
bringing the city to life and attracting thousands of spectators
Spring is thus celebrated by singing from noon till dawn
The festival is true to its original values
all audiences and all sensibilities thus come together for this celebration in style
the Cher province is welcoming music in all its forms
performing in thirty venues and offering no less than 300 concerts free of charge
To make the most of exploring and partying
just a stone’s throw away from the legendary cathedral
The Hôtel de Panette is combining yesterday’s splendour with the comfort of nowadays
Real castle life with a princely welcome and considerate staff at your fingertips
its quiet rooms are offering a decor reminiscent of the illustrious figures having visited this private mansion back in the day it belonged to the Marquis de Panette
Enjoy the calm and serenity of a spacious “L’Infant Don Carlos de Bourbon” (Carlist King Charles V) suite
with a print room and large openings onto the garden
This historical figure was exiled here from 1839 to 1845
“Le Marquis de Tristan” room is honouring the residence built here in 1757 to replace the Sainte-Chapelle Treasury
it was sold by the son of the Marquis de Tristan to the Marquis de Panette
The interior is thus truly in line with its historic references
The Hôtel de Panette is a magical place to recharge your batteries on the sidelines of exploring this artistic destination crowned the European Capital of Culture 2028
Deborah; twenty-three great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and siblings
She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands
Ervin Melancon of forty-eight years and Fabian Bourge of seven years; and siblings
Bourge’s friends and family will begin at 1:00 p.m.
with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery
Ruby and Frances Doga were my in-laws and I met Ms.Sadie and Mr Ervin through them
our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family during this time
may you find peace in the knowledge that your mom is in a heavenly place
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
Beaumont - McFaddin Ave.
Beaumont - Major Dr.
Nederland
©Broussard's Mortuary 2017-2025 Built By Americom Marketing
Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - It's the first matchups of the all-new EuroLeague Women Second Round and there's much to love heading into Week 7 of the season
a French rivalry renewed as Basket Landes welcome Tango Bourges Basket in a Group E clash that will see the hosts try to continue their excellent home form and the visitors use their powerful frontcourt to take a precious road win
As well as enjoying the 'Game of the Week' - available exclusively live and free on DAZN - there are another five contests to enjoy
while we also get to continue playing our 'Beat the Expert' game for the first time ever in the Second Round
For the latest week, he's up against Atiga Suleiman - a content creator and influencer across multiple sports and who has more than 66,000 followers on Instagram
Predict the winners of this week's games below
Words by Raunaq Nambiar
Filmmaking is often understood as self-reflective. Martin Scorsese said film’s purpose is “to find out who the hell I am.”
film often represents a blend of external influences and a filmmaker’s own traits
It’s what makes a Scorsese film a Scorsese film
You feel as though no one else but him could’ve directed Goodfellas
But what happens when a filmmaker’s goal is to chronicle something specifically due to its absence from their personal experience
How do you capture something you haven’t lived (or remember having lived) first-hand
This idea is what drives Antoine Bourges’s filmmaking
that made me want to be a filmmaker," said Bourges
there’s a joy of everyday living that he strives to catch on film — the kind that feels increasingly inaccessible in today’s world
"You feel like there’s something about everyday life that you’re not experiencing in your life because it’s all happening so fast and everything is so slippery
and you just can’t quite experience it," Bourges said
"It comes from a desire to stop everything and to be able to have a pure experience of it
Bourges works to bring a sense of unconventional filmmaking to his role as a film professor at UBC’s theatre and film department too
It’s a challenge to navigate a university’s traditional grading mechanisms in a discipline as creative as filmmaking
"In every assignment that I give or anything that I grade
there are a lot of objective things that I try to introduce in there to make sure that students have learned certain rules
but also try to make room for them to break those rules."
There’s something warmly relatable about trying to capture ordinary magic — and we’ve consistently rewarded such art with fame and acclaim
The unremarkable is what lent works like Celine Song’s Past Lives or Taylor Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film their emotional notoriety — to take the ordinary and make it feel bigger
His 2012 docufiction film East Hastings Pharmacy is nothing like those two works
It follows the day-to-day existence of a clinic in Vancouver’s East Hastings neighbourhood that
works in harm reduction by providing prescribed doses of methadone to people who engage with substance use
Methadone is an opioid used to help soften opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of infection from needle use since it is taken orally
The film doesn’t really follow any traditional storytelling principles
and in all honesty could be summed up as high quality security camera footage
you begin to get a sense of what life as a pharmacist or pharmacy customer is like
banter between the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician at lunch warms you
The old cartoons on the box TV hanging above the liminal waiting room — a sense of ordinary humanity begins to permeate this initially clinical docufiction film
In 2016, four years after East Hastings Pharmacy was released, the province declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency due to rising opioid-related deaths. In 2023, BC recorded its highest number of drug-related deaths ever at 2,500
Despite that declaration, Vancouver has been included in the Global Liveability Rankings’ top 10 every year (except 2021) since 2002
Its consistent performance in this index in the face of a deepening toxic drug crisis highlights the widening gap between people who do and do not engage in substance use
the goal is to remind viewers that this gap is much
"When you start spending time with characters or with people and they’re in frame
I think it’s harder to see them as other," said Bourges
Watch the movie and you begin to realize just how much you have in common with the film’s characters
They make silly jokes with each other in the waiting area; they wear Canucks merch; they have kids to take care of; they have hopes
ambitions and ideas for what they want to do
"You start building a kind of subconscious connection with them," said Bourges
There are moments in the film that seem awkward
like the feeling of uncomfortably hanging by the hallway waiting for someone in the room to respond or look toward you
Scenes last longer than it feels it should and characters linger on screen well after their dialogue is complete
This is intentional and is meant to directly contrast typical quick cuts between actors that
encourage a separation between audience and film subject
"If you cut for two seconds and cut back to the action
a poor something' — it would just be a kind of label," said Bourges
Bourges’s works have often heavily centred on themes of social change
revolves around Syrian immigrants Rashid and Farah as they struggle with their new life in Toronto
2017’s Fail to Appear tracks the relationship between a social services caseworker and her client as they navigate a criminal trial
"If you leave your camera there and spend more time with this person
then this first impression might stay there a little bit
that person actually talks like my uncle' ..
And this connection is mediated by the fact that Bourges opts to work with a primarily non-professional cast with limited or no acting background
While partially a result of resource or budget constraints
it also helps him draw from a more diverse set of realities
a lot of the actors tend to come from a similar social background
tend to look a little bit the same in terms of ethnic background and stuff like that."
For a filmmaker whose characters vary across race
There are some things non-actors do that actors have been trained out of
and sometimes imitating reality isn’t close enough — you have to collaborate with people who live in it
you don’t necessarily know what they think sometimes," said Bourges
I asked Bourges to give me his four favourite films (Letterboxd style)
Film 1: Blissfully Yours by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
“I felt like I was completely connected with the time of the film
because the film was also quite dreamy and slow
Film 2: Comment je me suis disputé (ma vie sexuelle) by Arnaud Desplechin
“It’s just the film that I’ve watched 1,000 times
because I would play it in the background when I would be cooking or when I would just do anything
and it talks about how we experience life and how we experience films.”
“When I saw it in a festival a few years ago
people were just bawling by the end … even though there’s not a single human or animal … if I tell you about this film
Have feedback? Email feedback@ubyssey.ca
Good news for loyal Printemps de Bourges festival-goers
as the musical event is set to return from Tuesday
the festival will once again invade some fifteen venues throughout the city
And the festival has unveiled the names of the 49th edition! On the menu? The now-famous Clara Luciani
crowned with success since the release of her debut opus"Sainte-Victoire" in 2018
composer and performer unveiled her 3rd album on November 15
including " Romance " and " Tout pour moi "
as well as " Forget Me Not " (with Rufus Wainwright)
This concert at Printemps de Bourges 2025 will be an opportunity for Clara Luciani fans to discover the singer's new songs live
The festival also announces the arrival of Jean-Louis Aubert
The former Téléphone member will be bringing his new songs to the W stage next spring
Other names confirmed by Printemps de Bourges for its 2025 edition
Several other artists from the rap scene have also been announced
Fatboy Slim and The Avener join the 2025 line-up
taking up residence at the W for the occasion
some 130 artists and groups will grace one of the Printemps de Bourges stages
A number of premieres have also been announced
including one by Oum Kalthoum and one byÉdouard Ferlet
Refer your establishment, click herePromote your event, click here
Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - The curtain is about to come down on the first ever EuroLeague Women Second Round
but there is still plenty to be decided - including the destiny of a direct ticket to Final Six
Tango Bourges Basket and Beretta Famila Schio have both already secured themselves a Play-Ins spot
but meet at Le Prado to determine who will claim second place in Group E and make the Semi-Final Play-Ins
For this latest week, he's up against Anais Lopez, a publicist, journalist and social media manager who works in women's sports.
Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - It proved to be one of the most memorable nights ever in the competition for Umana Reyer Venezia as they shocked frontrunners Valencia with a super comeback success.
Meanwhile, Thursday's action also saw important first wins for Perfumerias Avenida and Tango Bourges Basket.
Reyer produce an upset by taking down Valencia;
Johannes shows potential of title-chasing CBK Mersin this season with a magical 24 points;
Conde posts career night in the competition with 26 points and 10 assists for Praha;
Also first wins for Avenida, Bourges, DVTK and Polkowice.
It was arguably the result of the season so far as Umana Reyer Venezia toppled Valencia Basket Club 75-67 having initially trailed by double-digits at 25-14 after the opening period.
Turning up the flame on both ends of the floor, the reaction paved the way for a vibrant victory as Lisa Berkani took the starring role with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
The quality of Sika Kone oozed all over the floor for Perfumerias Avenida as they bounced back from their false start at Schio during Week 1 to fly past Basket Landes 81-52.
The Mali forward led the way for her team with a standout 16 points and 13 rebounds as the hosts got rolling with a first win.
Pauline Astier, Amy Okonkwo and Kariata Diaby came up with the goods for Tango Bourges Basket as they banked a first win by beating Olympiacos 88-53. Astier pulled the strings and handed out a fantastic 11 assists. Okonwko fired a game-high 20 points, while frontcourt partner Diaby registered a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
French ace Marine Johannes dropped a sparkling 24 points after erupting for CBK Mersin in their 88-74 home success against Zabiny Brno as they moved to 2-0.
In the Game of the Week, DVTK HUNTHERM made up for their one-point heartbreaker at Landes by coming back from a slow start to beat Beretta Famila Schio 70-63. Veronika Kanyasi and Milica Jovanovic shared 34 points, while Janelle Salaun continued her hot start for Schio with 19 points and 9 boards.
KGHM BC Polkowice are smiling as they also got off the mark with a convincing 90-63 success at home to Villeneuve d'Ascq LM. Experienced forward Emma Cannon did the business for the home side to lead with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Finally, Fenerbahce Opet never missed a beat on their home floor against Casademont Zaragoza as they took an 84-64 victory that was founded on another exceptional display from Emma Meesseman. The visitors had no answer to the Belgian ace who went to work and harvested 22 points, 7 assists, 4 assists and 4 steals.
Download NowMUNICH (Germany) - There was joy for Beretta Famila Schio as they marched straight into Final Six and the Semi-Final Play-Ins after they outlasted Tango Bourges Basket in an intense and exciting battle
The entertainment and tension was turned up to the max as Schio came good late in the contest to take an 84-72 win at Bourges. It had looked like they might breeze to victory after an electric opening, but Bourges came back and set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Don't miss a second of EuroLeague Women action!
Site managed by
BOURGES (France) - Yet another rising star of the FIBA women's game has made everyone sit up and take notice after 17-year-old Alicia Tournebize showcased her potential with her second spectacular dunk.
(Photography used in the Top News section of the FIBA.basketball website is credited to Anais Huet)
VALENCIENNES (Ligue Feminine) - USVO Valenciennes claimed the French title back off Bourges after completing a 2-0 series victory over their arch rivals in the Ligue Feminine play-off finals
HomeNewsFRA - USVO regain french titleFIBA BasketballFRA - USVO regain french titleVALENCIENNES (Ligue Feminine) - USVO Valenciennes claimed the French title back off Bourges after completing a 2-0 series victory over their arch rivals in the Ligue Feminine play-off finals
Lancia brand CEO Luca Napolitano is replacing Thierry Koskas
who will remain with the automaker’s Citroën brand
Stellantis announced a handful of leadership changes on Tuesday, including naming Lancia brand CEO Luca Napolitano as the company’s new global chief sales and marketing officer
who will remain with Stellantis and focus on the company’s Citroën brand
In addition to the chief sales and marketing officer role
Napolitano will retain his position as Lancia CEO
Napolitano became Lancia CEO and a member of the Stellantis executive team in January 2021 after Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot S.A
joining what was then the Fiat Group in 2000
Napolitano held various sales and marketing roles with Fiat
Spain and other countries throughout Europe
the Middle East and Africa and developing expertise in fleet and retail sales
Napolitano has overseen the revival of Lancia
Lancia was stalling as it produced just one vehicle model and only for the Italian market
In 2022, Napolitano announced Lancia’s “renaissance,” based on a 10-year plan that included three new EV models
a new online distribution model and expansion into the rest of Europe
As part of the company’s organizational changes
Stellantis also appointed Olivier Bourges as its chief customer experience officer
charged with the task of making Stellantis the top automaker in customer service as part of the company’s Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan
Bourges was in charge of the company’s global corporate office and public affairs
Clara Ingen-Housz was hired in February and will take his place as a senior vice president of public affairs
She will join Stellantis’ executive team as part of the promotion
Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts
The changes are intended to make roads safer by encouraging automakers to add pedestrian protection technology to their vehicles
The state’s reputation as the heart of the auto industry offers a solid foundation for the transition to EVs
Want to share a company announcement with your peers
The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines
The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve
World Heritage partnerships for conservation
Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world
where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development
Our Partners Donate
Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information
built between the late 12th and late 13th centuries
is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art and is admired for its proportions and the unity of its design
sculptures and stained-glass windows are particularly striking
it attests to the power of Christianity in medieval France
Admirable par ses proportions et l'unité de sa conception
la cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges
construite entre la fin du XIIe et la fin du XIIIe siècle
est l'un des grands chefs-d'œuvre de l'art gothique
ses sculptures et ses vitraux sont particulièrement remarquables
Par-delà sa beauté architecturale
elle témoigne de la puissance du christianisme dans la France médiévale
إنّ كارتدرائية القديسة إتيان المُذهلة بأحجامها وبوحدة تصوّرها التي أُشيدت بين أواخر القرن الثاني عشر ونهاية القرن الثالث عشر هي إحدى أبرز وأهمّ روائع الفن القوطيّ، إذ إنّ لوحتها الواقعة فوق جبهة البناء وتماثيلها وزخارف زجاجياتها هي في غاية من الروعة
ناهيك عن جمال هندستها، تدلّ هذه الكاتدرائية على عظمة المسيحية في فرنسا خلال القرون الوسطى
布尔日·圣·艾蒂安大教堂(the Cathedral of St Etienne of Bourges)建于12世纪末至13世纪末期间,是杰出的哥特式建筑杰作之一,其完美的比例和协调的设计令人称羡。教堂的门楣、雕塑和彩色玻璃窗特别引人注目。除了漂亮的建筑,教堂还表现了中世纪法国基督教的权力。
это один из величайших шедевров готического искусства
восхищающий своими пропорциями и единством дизайна
Собор не только выделяется красивой архитектурой
он также свидетельствует о силе христианства в средневековой Франции
La construcción de la catedral de Saint-Etienne de Bourges se inició en las postrimerías del siglo XII y acabó a finales del siglo siguiente
Sus proporciones admirables y la unidad de su diseño hacen de ella una de las grandes obras maestras del arte gótico
Son especialmente notables el tímpano
Además de su belleza arquitectónica
esta catedral constituye un vivo testimonio de la fuerza del cristianismo en la Francia medieval
was one of the first Christian communities of Gaul
which was dedicated to the first Christian martyr
occupies the site of a place of worship since the 3rd century
Built between the late 12th and late 13th centuries
it is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art
and admired for its proportions and the unity of its design
it bears witness to the power of Christianity in medieval France
The plan of the cathedral is simple and harmonious
It is a basilica with five naves and chapels surrounding the choir
Double flying buttresses allow for the absence of tribunes and provide equal luminosity throughout the nave and the side aisles
The most remarkable characteristics of the cathedral are the perspective of the lateral walls and the unity of the interior space
The sculptures on the north and south doors
on the tympanum of the Door of the Last Judgement (at the centre of the west façade) and others like the sculpted rood screen comprise outstanding examples of Gothic art
The following centuries left their mark on the cathedral: the stained-glass windows hence comprise a true encyclopaedia of this art of the 14th
Criterion (i): Bourges Cathedral is of considerable importance in the development of Gothic architecture and as a symbol of the strength of Christianity in medieval France
its principal claim lies in its striking beauty
combining masterly management of space with harmonious proportions and decoration of the highest quality
Criterion (iv): Although Bourges Cathedral lies outside the mainstream of the French Gothic
it strongly influenced the architectural values of cathedrals of this style
the skilful articulation of its spaces and the treatment of light
it represents an outstanding expression of style applied to this type of edifice
Integrity The design of Bourges Cathedral has been respected and has remained unaltered over the centuries
It retains the integrity of its plan and design and all its attributes have been preserved intact
The shape and materials of the building are as they were when it was completed in the late 13th century
although its maintenance and the evolution of the religion have necessitated the replacement of numerous elements as is the case with all Gothic cathedrals
All the restoration work has respected the original techniques and construction materials
managed in part by the National Monuments Centre
Bourges Cathedral has been listed as Historic Monument since 1862
it enjoys conservation provisions as defined and directly executed by the Ministry of Culture and Communication
the cathedral cannot be used for any other worship
The crypt and the terrace of the north tower receive about 30,000 visitors each year
comprises two regulatory protective measures: on the one hand
the protection of its boundaries through its listing as Historic Monument
the safeguarding and enhancement plan approved in 1994
for the outstanding heritage site corresponding to the acquisition of the medieval city
The marsh land located to the north-east of the edifice
the result of industrious work by the clergy to drain and cultivate this vast territory
Édouard is 99 years old and still serving the ChurchBruno Cothenet
Le père Édouard Cothenet va fêter ses 100 ans le 25 juillet
Fr. Édouard Cothenet, a priest of the Bourges diocese in France, has been serving the Church for almost 75 years. He’s preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday on July 25. Ordained in 1948 in the aftermath of the Second World War
this almost-centenarian has traveled extensively during his long priesthood
Édouard now lives just a few streets from the house where he was born
with the other priests of the Parish of Saint-Guillaume
he continues to celebrate Mass almost every Sunday for the parishioners
"I preach practically every Sunday," he tells Aleteia
It's an essential act of communicating the living Word of God."
Édouard has been serving the parish of Saint-Bonnet (now part of the parish of Saint-Guillaume-de-Bourges) for 30 years
but certainly not the only life of this special priest
Because while he enjoys serving in the parish
studies have been the great passion of his life
"Against all odds, the bishop of Bourges sent me to the seminary in Paris," he recounts. “An unexpected grace!" In the then-German-occupied capital, he developed a passion for philosophy, theology, and above all, the study of Sacred Scripture — his love at first sight
his passion for biblical exegesis led him to frequent the centers of the Church's intellectual life
Fr. Édouard spent much of his working life as a priest between Bourges and Paris, where he taught at the Institut Catholique until the 1990s. He also found time to publish some 20 books and contribute to the French Ecumenical Translation of the Bible (TOB)
he runs the Faith and Culture association in Bourges
"Even though I'll continue to participate."
Bible study is far from being a solitary scholar's occupation
It is indeed "the living Word of God," which no Christian can neglect in their spiritual life
"There's a link between the liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist," he insists
then unite ourselves with Christ.” By teaching
Édouard has been determined all his life to "share the Word as nourishing bread."
he still comments every week on a local radio station on the first Sunday reading from the Old Testament
which he considers too often neglected in preaching
"The Old Testament is the book of God's patience which forges successive alliances with humanity
and which teaches mercy," explains the priest
"That's what's most lacking in our generation
which wants everything right away: we don't admit this long patience of God."
Édouard wants to encourage Catholics to learn about their faith to deepen their relationship with God and to support each other
"We need to stand together in this march towards the Kingdom
which is always beyond what we can imagine and what we can say about it."
Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you
Please make a tax-deductible donation today
Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news
playLaurens loves Mane buying a club in France (2:01)Julien Laurens explains why he likes Sadio Mane's decision to buy a club in the French fourth division
Senegal forward Sadio Mané has completed his purchase of fourth-tier French club Bourges Foot 18
A source told ESPN that Mané has been willing to invest in a football club for some time and his relationship with former Bourges Foot 18 president Cheikh Sylla was pivotal in his decision to invest
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
A source has told ESPN that Mané contributed some funds to the club in order to assist them in recruiting players during last summer's transfer window and there was an official announcement on Wednesday regarding the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward's investment
A club statement read: "Bourges Foot 18 is proud to officially announce the structural support of Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané is now one of the best footballers in the world
"Known for his professionalism and strong human values
Sadio Mané is committing to Bourges through Bourges Foot 18 to promote the professionalization of local football
His decision to support the club testifies to his interest in the transformation initiated by the current president
and the growth potential that Bourges Foot 18 represents
"This collaboration promises to bring a new and exciting dynamic to the club and to the entire city
His arrival will have a national and international impact that will shine a light on the Bourges club and the entire community."
Mané's purchase has also received the approval of the mayor of the city
located 250 kilometres from Paris in central France
has never played higher than the French second division
Bourges sit second bottom in Group B of the Championnat National
Mane signed for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr on Aug. 1 after a difficult year at Bayern that culminated with him being suspended by the club after an alleged altercation with teammate Leroy Sané following the team's Champions League defeat to Manchester City
Mané won six trophies during his time at Anfield, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020
Softening the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction
the films of French-Canadian director Antoine Bourges are marked by their hybrid nature and his collaborative approach with participants
Whether in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side or Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park
Bourges captures everyday details of the surroundings he finds himself immersed in
introducing individuals and communities in the margins to the big screen with care and curiosity
Growing up in the neighborhood adjacent to the one depicted in Bourges’ latest, Concrete Valley (2022)
I was amazed by his portrayal of a vibrant
immigrant community that had been overlooked by even Toronto locals—children playing in green spaces at the foot of high rises
awkward conversations during English class for newcomers
apartment residents delivering meals to one another
is able to tune into a unique wavelength regardless of where he calls home
locating formal and informal networks of power
New York’s Metrograph will present “Minding the Gaps: Films by Antoine Bourges,” a retrospective of Concrete Valley, Fail to Appear (2017)
and the Downtown East Side trilogy of shorts
consisting of William in White Shirt (2015), East Hastings Pharmacy (2012) and Woman Waiting (2010)
In advance of the series, Documentary spoke with Bourges about crossing boundaries of fiction and documentary
and how individuals negotiate with institutions
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
DOCUMENTARY: Your works are sometimes described as “docufiction” and often screen at documentary film festivals such as RIDM
How would you describe the relationship between your filmmaking practice and nonfiction
Is hybridity something you’re consciously trying to negotiate
ANTOINE BOURGES: I try to get what I like from both
I enjoy simple things about fiction like continuity
like seeing someone walk in a door and seeing them appear on the other side
knowing that something like that could’ve been made over three days and we believe it’s happening in two seconds
But I also like elements that concern documentary—people appearing on screen who are not fully scripted or are scripted but are not trained to be actors
going into situations where I’m discovering as I’m making
allowing the participants to teach me and direct me as we’re working on the film together
D: Have you noticed any differences between audiences at festivals that are dedicated to documentaries compared to those that aren’t
I’m curious to know whether an association with documentary affects how you present your films
AB: The type of questions and the way that people engage with the work are different
you can engage with whatever narrative they’re telling
but you’re also free to engage with the mode of making
People who watch them at documentary festivals are more inclined to experience the films on both layers
but they have an interest in trying to understand how it’s made and seeing the making of as they’re watching
D: The ending of East Hastings Pharmacy states that the film was made through “collaborative improvisations and reenactments with residents” of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side
is the central character in William in White Shirt (2015)
You’ve also mentioned that some of the performers from Concrete Valley are from Thorncliffe Park
Can you talk about these collaborations and how you approach working with actors and nonactors
AB: It starts with curiosity in something that I don’t know
I lived in that neighborhood and would walk past these methadone pharmacies all the time
I didn’t see them consciously for years before I paid attention and spent time in them
I wasn’t necessarily actively looking for participants at that point
ended up spending a fair amount of time in the English language classes for new immigrants
The goal was just to start shaping what this film was going to be about
but when it came to trying to find performers
I already had all these people that I had spoken to
It’s kind of a seamless process that’s been the same for almost everything I’ve made
where the research ends up being kind of the casting
D: I’m struck by the name of the retrospective
to draw attention to something that would otherwise be overlooked
It’s an apt way of describing the communities you’ve depicted
What draws you to these places and people when you arrive in a city
AB: It’s not so much that I’m actively seeking them
I’m interested in places that are in the margins
but it’s never a conscious thing—I think I’m interested in how things happen in the everyday
The representation in the media of the Downtown East Side is one thing
but when you spend three hours sitting in a pharmacy
your experience and appreciation and your bodily experience of what it is to be there is different from how it is perceived
The pharmacy is an incredible vantage point for the whole city of Vancouver
You get a glimpse of their lives between the moment they walk in and they walk out
is representation something that you’re thinking about when you’re creating characters
Some are fictional versions of people in real life whereas others are composites of various people and conversations
you cast them for whatever presence you sense in real life
but I want them to know what it will mean to have their presence in front of people on a large screen
I want this experience to be seen,” and others are like
I’m not so comfortable,” and then we just don’t work together
and so we work on creating the distance between them and the character as much as they feel the need to
I ask them if they would like to choose a character name
Whenever I think of something that I’ve seen them do during research
I know you happen to bake cakes for people in your building
It’s an interesting element that I would like to incorporate in the film
Are you okay with your character doing that?” But it’s also exciting when they incorporate traits that are not close to them
D: Your latest work Concrete Valley has been compared to Robert Bresson
Another filmmaker that comes to mind is Frederick Wiseman
who has dedicated much of his career to examining institutions
Who are some of your influences as a filmmaker
AB: I think [Wiseman] was a huge influence
You discover something about people when they are within an institutional setting
They have to have a certain behavior and can’t completely lash out
You discover people who are fighting for things that are life and death
There’s this mystery and energy pushing against a barrier in his films. East Hastings Pharmacy is just a series of people coming to a counter and asking for something
and the person behind the counter has to perform in a certain way to negotiate certain tricky situations
This layer of institution adds something to the dynamic between people that’s fascinating
AB: My mother tongue is French and I’m from France originally
especially after working on Concrete Valley where people speak Arabic
about the slight disconnection that I’ve always felt with all of my films that are in English
© 2024 International Documentary Association
Privacy Policy
Sadio Mané becomes a father as he welcomes first child with wife Aisha
Ronaldo, Mane, and Duran fire Al Nassr to victory ahead of Al Hilal showdown
who was recently crowned Senegal’s best domestic player by the Senegalese Journalists’ Association
has joined Bourges Foot 18 after seven successful years with Jaraaf
the country’s current league vice-champions
Mané purchased Bourges Foot 18 in 2022 after signing with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia
the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star has been working to strengthen the club and guide it toward promotion
faces a tough challenge as they prepare to take on league leaders Gorée in the Senegalese top division
Ndoye’s departure leaves the team vulnerable in their pursuit of narrowing the five-point gap at the top of the table
Currently ninth in their league with 17 points from 13 matches
Bourges Foot 18 trails first-placed Saint-Malo by 15 points
While promotion may seem out of reach this season
Mané’s acquisitions reflect his long-term commitment to transforming the club into a competitive force
Sadio Mané continues to leave his mark not only as a player but also as an investor and ambassador for African football
Nogomania.com is a premier destination for football enthusiasts
delivering fresh and in-depth content from the heart of the Ex-Yu region's football scene
GROUPE Presse et événementiel spécialisé – levage
Le groupe Loxam réorganise ses agences à Bourges pour mieux répondre aux besoins croissants de la région dans le secteur événementiel
L’agence de Bourges Nord se spécialise ainsi dans trois domaines : la construction modulaire (bases vie
l’énergie temporaire (groupes électrogènes et équipements associés) et l’événementiel
événements sportifs et autres manifestations d’envergure
L’agence et son atelier ont notamment été repensés pour optimiser la gestion des modules pour la préfabrication et les bases vie
le site de Bourges Ouest conserve son rôle généraliste et renforce ses capacités avec des locaux modernisés
un showroom et un espace dédié à la formation professionnelle.
LIRE EN FRANÇAIS / READ IN ENGLISH
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)
SA News
African News
World News
The Club House
Podcasts & Videos
More
African Football
African superstar Sadio Mane has appointed one of his former teammates at the club he owns in France.In October 2023
Mané completed the purchase of Bourges FC
it was reported that the Senegal international had always wanted to invest in the club
but he was later convinced to make the decision due to his relationship with the president of Bourges
Read: Former PSL star 'lined up for coaching role' in Zim
With Mane's takeover having only occurred during last season
the club eventually finished eighth in the Championnat National 2 Group B
the club currently finds itself in a similar position
which has seemingly prompted some movement in the technical staff
Mane has now appointed his former Senegal compatriot Lamine Sane as an assistant coach at the club
"We are delighted to announce the arrival of Lamine Sane in the Bourges FC as assistant coach alongside Romain Revelli for our team developing in National 2," reads a statement on Bourges FC's official Facebook page
Senegalese international with 35 selections
has made his mark on African football by participating in the 2012 and 2015 African Cups of Nations
this central defender has dual French and Senegalese nationalities
has seen him evolve at the highest level with notable passes at Girondins de Bordeaux (240 games!)
"He also experienced dedication by winning the Coupe de France in 2013 with FC Girondins de Bordeaux
After lighting up the pitches for more than a decade
he retired as a player in 2020 to embark on a second life with a transition into coaching
Lamine Sané began his coaching career taking charge of Lormont (Regional 1) before continuing his apprenticeship with the reserve team of FC Libourne (Regional 2) during the 2020–2023 season with a nice second place in the table
he has integrated the staff of the Senegal U17 national team as an assistant coach
contributing to the qualification for the 2025
His international experience and deep knowledge of football will be valuable assets for Bourges FC
Read: DRAMA: African-born striker accused of age cheating
Follow him here on X
Stellantis NV on Tuesday announced several changes to its top executive team
including naming a new chief sales and marketing officer
Luca Napolitano will take on the company's global sales and marketing role
in addition to his role leading the Italian car brand Lancia
who will now focus on expanding the Citroën brand
retail sales and dealer management in several countries across Europe
Olivier Bourges takes over as chief customer experience officer for Richard Schwarzwald
Bourges previously worked in strategic planning for the Stellantis
Finally, Stellantis said Clara Ingen-Housz, who joined the company earlier this year, will take over Bourges' current post as head of the corporate office and public affairs officer, joining the company's more than 30-member top executive team
who had been in the role about three months
NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham honored John Bourges for his induction into the 2021 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and commemorated his military service at a special ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the Putnam Veterans Home
with a number of veterans and local officials in attendance
“John has had a unique career in public service and in serving his country,” said Harckham
“Through his work as program coordinator for the Dwyer Vet 2 Vet Program of Putnam County
he has made a difference in the lives of countless veterans
His work to ensure funding for the Vet 2 Vet program in the state budget year after year
John certainly deserves our thanks for all that he has accomplished.”
A video of the ceremony at the Putnam Veterans Home, which livestreamed on Facebook, can be seen here. Also, a video from the New York State Senate about all of this year’s Veterans Hall of Fame inductees can be seen here
Harckham presented Bourges with a commemorative plaque and a Senate Proclamation regarding his Hall of Fame induction
Bourges received a United States Flag flown over the State Capitol in Albany on November 10
but at the end of the day it really belongs to all of the veterans here in Putnam County,” said Bourges
“Being able to help veterans has been the most important and rewarding work of my lifetime
And receiving this recognition here in front of the veterans I have worked with makes it all extra special.”
Elected as the Putnam County Coroner in 2015
Bourges retired just last month from his position as program coordinator for the PFC Joseph P
he had retired from the New York Police Department; a former detective
he is the recipient of the NYPD’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Bourges followed his meritorious career in the NYPD by returning to Westchester Community College to study nursing
He later worked at White Plains Hospital as an ICU nurse until 2006
Army Reserves at the age of 50 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 405th Combat Support Hospital
he served with the 325th Combat Support Hospital as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was promoted to Captain before being honorably discharged in 2014
As program coordinator for the Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program of Putnam County for nearly seven years
Bourges helped expand the program’s service and was later honored with the Vincent Peale Outstanding Service Award for his efforts
He has served as an advisory member of the Putnam County Suicide Prevention Task Force as well
“John built up the Vet 2 Vet Program here in Putnam County and made it a viable force for other veterans’ programs across the state,” said Karl Rohde
director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency
“He likes to say that his work is focused on ‘one vet at a time,’ and he puts all of his heart and soul into helping others
Rohde pointed out that Bourges was preceded in the New York Senate Veterans Hall of Fame by a former Putnam Veterans Home house manager—Rev
Army and Office of Strategic Services veteran from World War II
other officials who attended the special ceremony for Bourges included Art Hanley
deputy director of the Putnam Veterans Service Agency; Megan Castellano
executive director of the Mental Health Association in Putnam County; and Jack Duncan
director of the Dwyer Vet 2 Vet Program of Putnam County
Antoine Bourges’s latest is his most quietly impactful effort to date
Straddling the hazy line between documentary and fiction
the work of Canadian filmmaker Antoine Bourges is intensely concerned with the plights of disadvantaged and marginalized populations
In his latest and most quietly impactful effort to date
Bourges turns his gaze toward the North American immigration struggle
further examining the sense of dislocation that often defines his films’ subjects/characters
low-income neighborhood of Toronto whose titular nickname stems from its geographical position nestled up against a lush hillside forest
taking a solitary nighttime walk through these tranquil woods
The curiously hushed environment at first suggests a dream
lending Concrete Valley a sense of magical realism that corresponds to mythical tales of strangers traversing strange lands
When Rashid’s impromptu sylvan meanderings are discussed a short time later
he’s warned about the potentially dangerous wildlife he could encounter in the woods
enhancing the setting’s air of chimeric mystery
It’s easy to understand Rashid’s desire to roam into the unknown once he returns to the high-rise apartment he shares with his wife
Rashid was an accomplished doctor back in his native country
have gone unrecognized and underutilized in his adopted homeland
Too stubborn to find other work that he considers beneath him
Rashid instead spends his days offering pro bono medical advice to others in the building and surrounding neighborhood
shoulders the majority of the family’s financial load
working a dreary retail clerk job at a beauty supply store
Rashid and Farah’s immigrant experience is of a quotidian stripe often overlooked on screen in favor of exaggerated drama
with Bourges and Teyama Alkamli’s screenplay based around situations from the lives of the film’s non-professional actors
presents a measured and verisimilar depiction of Rashid and Farah’s struggles
filtered through the filmmaker’s signature aesthetic of exactingly sparse visual compositions that imbue a subtle poeticism into the day-to-day reality of people simply trying to make ends meet
Where Concrete Valley’s tension arises is in the loss of personal identity that Rashid and Farah experience in their new home and the cracks that form in their relationship as a result of it
Rashid’s coping mechanism for his feelings of humiliation is to condescend to Farah
as in a dinnertime conversation where she relates an upsetting incident at work involving an aggressive customer who berated her for apparently recommending the wrong type of skin cream
When Rashid instantly and rather callously takes the customer’s side
“I love how you make people feel like dogs,” sending a brief shockwave through the air
before the two quickly settle back into their routines for the sake of their son
who sits at the table silently observing them
stewing in private and appearing emotionally adrift by his parents’ troubles
Rashid and Farah spend much of the film in their own worlds
and Concrete Valley thoughtfully examines the way that neighborhood social systems provide them with an outlet to foster a fresh sense of solidarity and purpose
we see Rashid attend English language classes
a supportive environment which fosters a friendship with another Syrian immigrant
the more easy-going Suliman (Suliman Hafed)
who gradually breaks through Rashid’s numb exterior
who he begins aiding with natural therapy for the chronic pain in her leg
rekindling both his confidence in his medical discipline and the compassion that he had clearly lost sight of in the wake of his move to Canada
Farah joins a volunteer group dedicated to cleaning up garbage in the surrounding forest
as a way to take responsibility for the landscape they call home
This activity sends her out on her own more practical woodsy excursions in pursuit of meaning
while also allowing a camaraderie to blossom with the group’s leader
Can Rashid and Farah find one another again through their new endeavours
Bourges keeps this narrative pressure at a delicate simmer
aided in no small part by the achingly naturalistic performances from his cast
essentially playing versions of themselves
And while the occasional staginess of their line readings can draw attention to the artificiality of the film’s scripted construct
it’s only inasmuch as it perfectly reflects the boundless trepidation that Rashid and Farah feel in forging new paths in a society that appears largely indifferent to their toils
the story’s ostensibly mundane or trivial affairs take on a grand significance
as in Rashid’s determined quest to help restore the long-absent hot water in his building so that Farah can finally take a comfortable bath
This crusade becomes the unexpectedly moving thrust of the film’s second half
and as Rashid enlists the help of Suliman and others
Concrete Valley reveals itself as a thrilling example
of the way that the fostering of community allows us to regain some measure of control over life’s adversities
and the product manager at Bay Street Video
one of North America's last remaining video stores
document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id"
"a86432541734baabcfdc83de1ae32e10" );document.getElementById("facec42938").setAttribute( "id"
Belgian beats Frenchmen Démare and Coquard in Bourges
Belgian fastman Jasper Philipsen has powered to victory in the Paris-Bourges one-day Classic.
The Alpecin-Deceuninck racer took the 198 kilometre category 1.1 race in a bunch sprint ahead of Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ)
With a front group of around 100 riders still ahead in the last 20 kilometres a bunch sprint seemed almost inevitable
Groupama-FDJ and then Lotto Soudal kept the pace relentlessly high
and after Démare had opened up his sprint
a powerful attack by soon-to-retire Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) with around 40 kilometres to go was possibly the one moment when the race
held on a near-flat course in warm autumn sunshine
could have ended in anything but a bunch sprint
But Gilbert’s move was quickly flattened after Groupama-FDJ clamped down his attack
at which point Lotto Soudal visibly moved to their plan ‘A’ as Gilbert's teammate Victor Campanaerts laid down a searing pace on the front
Working almost single-handedly as the peloton roared through a number of tiny villages on broad-well surfaced roads - ‘ca va tres vite [it’s very fast]’ as the race commentator observed on several occasions - former Hour Record holder Campanaerts maintained such a high speed it was impossible for any breaks to go clear
Cofidis and Groupama-FDJ also tried to lend a hand
And as the 100 strong front group neared the finish in Bourges their combined effort on broad
dead-straight ‘A’ roads continued to ensure that the peloton stayed together
After a short dash down a narrow lane and over a river bridge
when the peloton then powered onto the wide 500-metre finishing straight set on the Boulevard de la
But even as Coquard came up to Démare’s shoulder on his right
Philipsen was blasting past close to the Frenchman's left
claiming the win by a good bike’s length just fractions of second later
A winner two weeks ago of the Omloop van het Houtland Philipsen’s latest victory is his second in a fortnight and his ninth in a remarkable season
Its highlights were two stage wins for the Belgian sprinter in the Tour de France
including the last of the race on the Champs-Elysées.
And after taking victories in the early season UAE Tour
Philipsen is ending his season with his arms aloft
Results powered by FirstCycling
Alasdair FotheringhamSocial Links NavigationAlasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991
He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one
as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes
ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain
he has also written for The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling