the caravan tour de france

Inside The Tour de France Caravan

Inside the fast-paced, important and sometimes chaotic entourage surrounding the Tour

Watch a stage of the Tour de France and you’ll inevitably see a swarm of cars and motorcycles in front, behind and sometimes in the midst of the riders. It takes a veritable army of support to drive the Tour, but who are all these people, and what do they do? Here’s a look at the race support convoy, from front to back.

NOTE: all cars stay to the right; that’s the driving lane. The passing lane is the left lane and the regulateurs try to keep it clear to let cars pass in the convoy circulation.

Police Moto

First comes a race motorcycle escort, from the Guard Republicaine’s motorcycle division. There are 48 of them in the race total. Thirteen go with the publicity caravan; the rest are with the riders.

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VIP Guest Cars

Mavic Neutral Support Car

Regulateur moto.

The regulateurs are the traffic cops of the convoy. They determine the circulation—who goes where and when. They will give cars and motos the signal to pass on the left or not pass at all, and if you don’t obey, you’ll be thrown out of the race. These guys are no-BS types, and they have jurisdiction over every vehicle in the race except the red directors’ cars, which means you can expect curt hand signals and the occasional Gallic finger wag. Their role is essential, though, as they have to make the call for when to send vehicles through the pack (say, a team car to get up to a rider in a breakaway). There are typically several at the front, to go with breakaways and chase groups as they may happen.

     Related: A Ride Behind The Race

Neutral Water Motos

Photographer motos, official cars, guard republicaine moto, information moto.

This is the yellow-liveried moto and riders which delivers the time gap information to the riders in the break.

     Related: How to Break Away

Official’s Car

Race doctor car, the broom wagon.

The Broom Wagon is the vehicle that picks up any rider who is unable to finish the race. 

     Related: The Race Against the Other Clock

Fin du Course Vehicle

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Gallery: A look at the Tour de France publicity caravan

Not everyone is mainly here for the racing

This article originally published on BikeRadar

The Tour de France is first and foremost cycling's biggest and most prestigious stage race in the world but preceding the peloton from start to finish is another spectacle: the publicity caravan. Consisting of dozens of elaborately crafted specialty vehicles and taking nearly an hour to pass, it's a daily parade – and a parade of advertising and small giveaways – that, according to the Tour de France, is actually the main draw for nearly 40 percent of spectators on hand.

Take a look at some of the elements that bring all those people in. The Tour de France may be a bicycle race but for at least a portion of the folks at roadside, the peloton is merely a sideshow.

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Gallery: The publicity caravan of the Tour de France

When the race becomes a sideshow

James Huang/BikeRadar

James Huang

The Tour de France is first and foremost cycling's biggest and most prestigious stage race in the world. But preceding the peloton from start to finish is another spectacle: the publicity caravan.

Consisting of dozens of elaborately crafted specialty vehicles and taking nearly an hour to pass, it's a daily parade – and a parade of advertising and small giveaways – that, according to the Tour de France, is actually the main draw for nearly 40 percent of spectators on hand.

Take a look at some of the elements that bring all those people in. The Tour de France may be a bicycle race but for at least a portion of the folks at roadside, the peloton is merely a sideshow.

Share this article

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2012 Tour de France–A look at the Caravan/Parade

(Note: This post is written by The Girl …aka…my wife.)

While the first day of the Tour is exciting in and of itself from a cycling standpoint, we were also both pretty excited about the famed parade that tours a few hours ahead of the riders along the entire route (every day of the stage, through every town on the route). The parade consists of large and creative hilarious floats from all of the sponsors.  And while brand recognition may be important to some, we were here for the free swag…lots of it.

Since the parade (known here as the Caravan) is such a big part of the Tour de France, we decided it could not be over looked in our short coverage of the event.  And it seemed fitting for a 4th of July post for all those in the US celebrating independence day.

The first and most notable float was of course the yellow jersey leading the charge!

Not far behind the jersey was the trusty teddy bear/lion we see in all of the award ceremonies after each stage.

Once these two major sponsors passed us by, it was no holding back on what the other sponsors came up with to catch the attention of the crowds!

Yes folks, that’s the Haribo truck…the same folks that make those little gummy bears.  We also found out that they make gummy alligators, amongst all sorts of other creatures.

With all of the excitement of the floats cruising by, it was easy to forget to duck for cover! I am not sure if any of the float operators have ever stood in the crowd before themselves, but in some cases they totally underestimated their own strength coupled with the moving speed of the floats (which go by at upwards of 20+MPH)!

The velocity in which a pack of pens, jelly beans, key chains, etc could wiz by your head was astounding.  Luckily we took to this parade in a team effort, with one of us shooting pictures and the other shouting “duck” warnings and scavenging for precious swag!

Speaking of swag, let’s get down to business.

For as long as I can remember, the King of the Mountain jersey has been my absolute favorite! Coupled wit many long hours on the trainer watching live coverage of the Tour and listening to Bob Roll, I have always been jealous of the fans along the course wearing the polka-dotted hats. This year, my goal was to get my King of the Mountain hat!

But before the hat, would come a nonstop stream of other items to chase down.  For example, who couldn’t use a few more pens? (This was one item we didn’t want to get an eyeful of!).

Some pen’s, such as BIC’s, were in little non-eye-poking containers, but others were left hanging in the wind.

Then there was the floppy hat from the sausage folks.  Anytime you involve sausage, things are bound to be great.

While Saturday wasn’t a particularly hot day, there were a number of passes of vehicles with free water bottles.  I suppose that spectators dropping like flies doesn’t look good on TV, so best to keep everyone hydrated.

Then there was crazy cycling lady.  We have a video of her.  She was atop a trainer of sorts, and then pulled along by a motorcycle.  Nonetheless, she sounded very…uhh…involved.

But still, there was no sign of my hat.

At this point in the parade we had made friends with those around us, and when we grabbed double or even triple of some swag we handed it off to the next person, usually kids. Every now and then when someone did a one handed catch of the only piece tossed out from a float, cheers would erupt.

Then suddenly, I saw it! The entourage of Carrefour. The sponsor of the “King of the Mountain”. My excitement did not go unnoticed!

I begged Ray to please help! No cameras, focus on the hat!!!

And sure enough, as there was only one or two hats tossed out in our area, Ray one hands it and grabs from the air (well above my reach I might add) my very own Polka-Dotted hat! As Ray handed it over to me, my excitement was well received by the crowd as they cheered!

As the parade continued, we noticed a few well devised strategies for obtaining swag – useful if you are planning on heading out to the Tour and catching the parade, so take note.

The below photo shows strategy #1. Extending a hat for the floats to deposit goodies… sorta like Halloween trick or treating!

Or, strategy #2. Bring your kids. If you don’t have kids, borrow some! Little kids can seriously do some damage racing around picking up items that have been tossed into the crowd. First, they are already closer to the ground than you and me (alright, just you) which makes bending down way more efficient, and second, nobody is going to play tug-a-war with a kid over a hat, jersey, or jelly beans! Whereas as we did see two ladies nearly duke it out for a foam cell phone!

At the end of the parade we reflected on all that we had nabbed.

Other than checking out the goodies we have squirreled away we also reviewed the photos for decisions on our favorite floats and aspects of the parade!

First up, the giant cycling rooster:

Then we’ve got the huge water squirting float, with a lady up top spraying water onto the crowd.

Then there’s the giant 3/4ths tire rolling down the road.  The cyclists were warming up on the TT course at the time, dodging all the floats.

I am not sure if they warm-up like this on all of the TT courses (since this one was exceptionally short at just over 6K), but it definitely seemed like a unique opportunity to see the athletes warming up amongst the floats!

As well during warm-up laps it was really cool to see athletes from different teams right up along side of one another and shake hands and chat for a lap or two. I think this simply reminds us that these guys are human.

And finally, the best part of the day was spending our 1st Anniversary weekend together watching a sport and eating the food that we love!

And yes, those are hot dogs (well, sausages), and Diet Cokes.  How much better can it get?

Have a great (and safe) Independence Day everyone (in the US), we’ll be watching the fireworks as well back in the states, as we’re headed back for a few final items for a couple days.

Thanks for reading!

[Update: Here’s the full video! It lasts about 30 minutes, which is as long as my point and shoot lasted before it died battery wise.  It goes a bit longer though after this.]

2012 Caravan

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14 Comments

I went to a stage of the Tour several years ago and found the Caravan to be perhaps the best part of the show, with lots of cool loot. I was in a rural town with a festive, family-friendly atmosphere, and the food and wine flowed freely.

With some of the wilder vehicles, I kept thinking about how somebody has to drive these crazy contraptions over large distances, day after day. If I ever had the chance, I’d do it in a minute.

super awesome fun post and if I can say, better than Ray. Good to see you guys having fun at the Tour on behalf of all the readers

Last year when the Tour passed about 1 km from my house in Belgium, I too wanted a polka dot cap but didn’t get one. This year I’ll be watching two stages in the Pyrenees and hope to have better luck. 🙂

And on those last big climbs before the final TT, the race itself should be very interesting as well.

What a great post! Your enthusiasm and excitement definitely comes through. Happy 4th to you both

Loved your recount of this part of the Tour (loved the others too). So happy for you guys. Thanks for making me laugh and smile.

Great post Bobbie! Glad Ray saved the day and got your awesome hat 🙂

I thought Ray wrote this until I got to the part about the polka dotted hat and had to scroll back up to the top. Great post.

Girl Powa! Great post!

And if Ray’s still looking for some races, check the Ch’triMan (IM and HIM distances) on august 26 near the channel, 200 klicks north of Paris!

very nice post Ray. i really like the one with the one biking on the side car of a motorcyle

Great post from The Girl … went to the UK Olympic Torch relay yesterday at 7AM – free 100ml bottle of Coke … TDF knows how to engage the audience!

I’m going to see Le Tour next week and can’t wait to see the publicity caravan. Since were going to at least 4 stages, I hope to load up on swag! Thanks to Bobbie for such a nice preview!

By the way, I’m not sure exactly when you two are arriving in Paris, but I’ll keep my eyes open for you during Stage 20 on the Champs-Elysees. I’ll be the one with the Missouri Tigers flag!

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

I’ve never even heard of this! It looks like SO MUCH FUN! Congrats on the swag grab 🙂

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Caravane Publicitaire: The Other Tour de France

Popularly known as la Grand Boucle , the Tour de France is a sporting phenomenon like no other. The race takes place over a three-week period in July, when more than 12 million spectators line the route to watch. And for free. Onlookers wait for hours, often only for a glimpse of le peloton as it speeds by. For many though, it is la caravane publicitaire they have come to see. In fact a recent survey found that almost half of the roadside spectators at a stage of the Tour de France are there for the publicity caravan, not the racing. Each day the caravan precedes the race creating a carnival spirit whilst dishing out three quarters of a million of worthless gifts from zanily decorated vehicles advertising products as diverse as butane gas and dried sausages. Children and adults alike scrabble to pick up the cheap advertising souvenirs.

©Graham Twemlow

The notion of including a publicity caravan originated in the 1930s with the aim of generating additional funding for the Tour. At that time various brands and services were advertised by cutout sign boards attached to standard vehicles but over time participating companies began to approach coach-builders asking them to create eye-catching customised vehicles; more akin to carnival floats. BIC, famous for the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, has been involved with the Tour since 1952. In 1953 the company commissioned the architect and product designer Félix Aublet to design a space-age vehicle promoting the ubiquitous product. Built around a Renault 2.5T small truck, the plexiglass and sheet metal superstructure resembled a rocket-powered biro with alarming looking “booster rocket” pointed pens attached to either side of the cab. Nowadays the floats must adhere to stringent safety tests and technical considerations.

The planning and logistics of operating the Tour is immense. Each day roads have to be closed off and towns and villages made inaccessible for a period of time until the Tour entourage has passed by. The publicity caravan sets off each day from the respective starting stage town two hours before the riders. 170 vehicles form the complete cavalcade representing 35 brands, with the 12km convoy taking 45min to pass the excited roadside spectators. In all 600 personnel are associated with the caravan – including drivers, “hostesses”, distributors, and mechanics.

The 2017 Tour de France starts in Düsseldorf on July 1 and ends with the Champs-Élysées stage in Paris on July 23 .

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Behind the Curtain: The Tour de France Race Caravan

article by Chris Zigmont

When watching the Tour de France it is impossible to miss the huge convoy of cars, trucks and motorcycles that accompany the racers. The Caravan with the riders has a very specific set of jobs and it looks a little confusing. Having spent many years in the caravan in the Tour and other races, I thought a little peak behind the curtain might help in understanding what is going on back there. In this article I sort out the caravan for you and hopefully it will make watching the Tour, or any road race, that much better.

The Line Up

The UCI, the governing body of cycling, has a blue-print for the race caravan that must be followed. The race organizer is allowed minimum input to adjust for local needs and changes for promotion, but generally the UCI format is what’s normally deployed. 

The Caravan is essentially split into two groups: the caravan in front of the peloton and the one behind. The procession up front is primarily there to secure the course for rider safety. It also handles breakaways and chase groups as they form.  It consists of a flotilla of police cars and motos, a couple Officials cars, a neutral service vehicle (or two), a myriad of press cars, and VIP vehicles.

The traffic jam behind the peloton consists of all of the other support vehicles. There are  two team cars per team (in a repeated duplicate caravan), race officials, a medical car and an ambulance, more press and VIP cars,  a swarm of motos that include press, TV and photo, radio tour info, a caravan director, a time board giving the riders up to the minute information on breakaways and splits, and last but not least several neutral service vehicles. In the ProTour and other top-level events every team gets two cars, while in most continental level races and below, each team gets one.

How It Works

When the race rolls off, the front caravan moves ahead a couple of minutes in advance. It is under the direction of Commissar 2, the race official second in command and the one who will monitor the racing in the breakaways as they occur.

Next, the peloton gets underway, and just behind is the fleet of vehicles in tow. They are under the direction of the “ President of the Jury ” or Commissar 1 and the race director who is normally the race organizer.  In the Tour this is Christian Prudhomme . He runs the race while the UCI Chief is the referee and rules maker.

The Team cars meanwhile are there to provide feed, mechanical assistance and tactical direction to the riders as needed. They may,  upon request to the Chief, come to the back of the peloton and hand up bottles to the riders after a rider request has been made. The caravan always drives on the right, keeping the left clear for cars and motos moving up.  After a service or a feed, a team car moves to the far right to slide back to its position.  If a rider punctures or has a mechanical, the team car normally charges up the left, cuts across the medical car and services his rider on the right hand side. Typically, the team car will linger to be sure that their rider is underway. The rules dictate that a rider can use the cars in the caravan and draft his way back up to the peloton.  With a long caravan like the one in the Tour, riders usually have little trouble getting back on. Occasionally when there is a prolonged stop and the caravan has all passed, due to a bike swap or a significant mechanical, team directors will go outside of the rules and draft, “Speed bottle” or conduct a fake adjustment out the car window at speed to haul their rider back to the group. They risk up to a 300 Swiss Franc fine if they are caught, but in the big picture it is worth it.

Discipline and Safety

All of this makes the caravan a pretty treacherous place. Especially with a big peloton, the presence of many riders in the caravan at once is commonplace.

Maintaining caravan discipline is a huge undertaking and a major responsibility. While race officials are constantly watching out that vehicles are in their assigned position and not providing pacing, towing or other unfair advantages, it is safety that is of primary concern. With the race often moving at high speed (especially down mountains) and team cars moving back and forth to support riders, it can get chaotic very rapidly. Often, very difficult conditions dictate the need for nerves of steel to deal with car rally type situations.  Skimming the side of the road, especially in high mountains, takes years off of your life. Narrow mountain passes, wet or dusty roads, cobbles, strong winds, heavy rain and even snow (early spring and high in the mountains) all contribute to the reality of working in the Caravan.

Sadly the Tour has seen spectators killed by Caravan vehicles. The last was in 2000 when a young child was struck by a publicity vehicle that had moved to the side of the road to make way for a team car. While rider support may be ‘job number one ’ for the Caravan, the ever present corridor of humanity lining the roads is always the most serious concern for every vehicle driver.

Neutral Service

So what is up with Mavic neutral service cars? With so many support cars why are they needed and how does it work?  In the old days of road racing, every time there was a breakaway or a chase that gained a few dozen seconds, the team cars would do the dangerous job of passing the peloton and go forward to support their riders, then come back again to take care of the main group. This was mighty dangerous as it was occurring many, many times each race day. Imagine a break of ten with one rider each from ten teams. Ten cars moving constantly up and back. Yikes! In 1973 the then President of Mavic, Bruno Gormand, suggested one “neutral” car to service all the riders with no allegiance to any. They tried it at Paris-Nice in ’73 and it worked well. It has been used ever since.

So when a breakaway gets a steady gap of 50+ seconds, a neutral service car is dropped in from the front caravan . If there are neutral motorcycles, usually reserved for mountain days, they can go into a gap of 30+ seconds.  You will see the Commissar 2 car drop in normally when the gap has grown to around 1 minute 30 seconds.  As the races progresses and the gap grows to a safe and solid distance, the race director will allow the extra team car to come up the road and support the break.  That’s why the big races have two team cars.

When the gap comes down and the break about to be caught, they will pull the neutral service at about 30 seconds. That is a sure signal to the riders and the fans that the game is about to change.

All of the vehicles in the caravan listen to race radio , or ‘radio tour’ . Here the race situation, any caravan direction and other instructions are given to the teams and the caravan.  All of the teams at the ProTour level maintain radio contact with their riders with two way radios ( this practice is now banned at lower category races).

Voiture Balai

There are many surviving traditions at the Tour de France that originated during the very first races. First introduced in 1910, the Voiture balai (Broom Wagon or Sag Wagon in English) is without doubt the most hated vehicle in the Caravan by the riders. The Voiture balai, with a broom attached to the rear of the vehicle is normally the very last vehicle of the entire race caravan. At the Tour this can mean that it is not unusual to be an hour (or much further)  behind the head of the race. The job of this vehicle is to literally sweep up any riders who are so exhausted or injured to ride on any further.

Like a predator stalking it’s prey, the presence of this vehicle will push riders beyond their limits in order to survive another day in the race. Having the broom wagon following you is one of the most demoralizing experiences for any racer.

A Crucial Role

In modern road racing the caravan support is crucial. Races have been won and lost by well placed (or not so well placed) team cars and materiel.  Every rider’s fear is that of a puncture with 20k to go and no team car in sight. So hopefully as you watch a Tour unfold or other major race unfold, this little overview of the caravan theatrics will provide a good insight to what’s going on behind the curtain.

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• Tour de France

The Tour de France caravan is moronic, dangerous fun

You thought the point of going to the Tour de France was to watch riders go by. You thought wrong.

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The caravane publicitaire is ostensibly stupid. It's a parade created by and for race sponsors that goes off two hours ahead of the riders. The floats are well done, but the pandering isn't even thinly veiled. As it crosses the finish line, an emcee extolls the virtue of Cochonou saucisson and Haribo candy, and would have you believe that eats both on an hourly basis. Sponsors range from all-purpose cleaners to off-track betting, and the emcee would also have you believe he's an obsessive compulsive neat freak and degenerate gambler.

None of this out of character for the Tour de France, however. The race was founded as a publicity stunt, when a journalist for a struggling magazine called L'Auto approached his editor, Henri Desgrange, with the idea of sponsoring a race that would take place around France. The original Tour de France was absurdly difficult -- one stage was 471 kilometers long -- and just 21 of 60 riders made it to the finish. The event was a massive success, however. Desgrange soon had something much more than a support system for his publication.

Desgrange was the still the Tour de France's race director in 1930 when he concocted the idea of the caravane . It more or less hatched in its present form. A chocolate company, Menier, was the caravane's first sponsor, and rode ahead of the riders handing out free samples, exactly as companies do today.

The caravan going by at 60 mph, just whipping free shit at people https://t.co/H1YnhWtehn — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Long ass caravan was the reason it took 4 hours to drive 50 kilometers home pic.twitter.com/Ojt0YNyJ2s — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 23, 2014

The difference in modern times is added lunacy. The caravane careens up to 50 miles per hour through the departmental roads connecting villages along the stage route, passing roadsides packed with spectators. As they zip by, pretty male and female models throw free samples from over the side, pelting everyone. The Haribo samples actually stung. In 2000 and 2002, children were killed after stepping in front of the oncoming vehicles.

Caravan time! https://t.co/JQ4s2zW3Ik — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 23, 2014

But the weirder thing may be the excitement the caravane incites. Adults chased each other and hopped into ditches for free key chains and madeleines. They were more than happy to show off the wares. One man and his son filled two Skoda hats with gifts. Le Tour proudly claims that 47 percent of those who attend the Tour de France come for the caravane alone.

A proud man and a free sausage pic.twitter.com/u9yaa4S0xc — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Check out this kid's f'ing haul pic.twitter.com/DYzNpk84pz — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Which seems high for a cheesy production, until it hits you that you're actually having fun. Stupid fun, admittedly, and maybe the whole thing is a little insidious on some level. But love it or hate it, you can't say the caravane doesn't keep with the spirit of the Tour.

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The Tour de France Publicity Caravan Photo Gallery

Tour Caravan PeloPics: The Tour de France publicity caravan is the hight point of the race for many people, after the riders of course. It’s not just the free gifts thrown out by the girls and boys atop the different vehicles, but all the noise and excitement building up to the main act of the day. In 2020 Tour there will be no Tour caravan, sad, but a necessity in these times of Covid-19.

Over the years here at PEZ we’ve built up quite a collection of Tour caravan photos, so to get the Tour ball rolling for next Saturday here is our Tour de France PeloPics Collection:

Alastair Hamilton has been a pro team mechanic on the road, track and mountain bike and worked for the Great Britain team at the World championships in all disciplines. Since moving to Spain and finding out how to use a computer, he has gone from contributor of Daily Distractions at the 2002 Vuelta a España to editor at PezCyclingNews.

Danish Star Jesper Skibby Gets PEZ’d!

EUROTRASH News Round Up Thursday!

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Following the Tour de France in a motorhome: 2024 Planning tips and advice

When you make purchases through links on this website we may earn a commission. Read more .

**Updated to include Tour de France 2024 route. Note that July in France will be even busier in 2024 as Paris is hosting the Olympics. Any bookings should be made well in advance.**

Each year, the Tour de France makes its grand départ – usually from France, Belgium or Spain – in July. It signals the start of the largest and most well-known cycling race in the world. While cycling fans from all over the world descend upon France in their thousands, ready to watch their favourite riders, following the Tour de France in a motorhome has become one of the coolest ways to see the event. Mixing the slow pace of motorhome travel with the fast and furious – sometimes crazy – pace of the road races creates a vibe around the event like no other.

Follow our guide, which is full of great tips and hints, so you can make the most of your motorhome trip and see the best the Tour de France has to offer.

Our tip : If you are considering hiring a motorhome to follow the tour, you must get in very early. This is the peak summer season in Europe, and motorhome hire books out well in advance. We use and recommend Anywhere Campers .

• General information about the tour

Apart from the two world wars, it has run each year, predominantly in France since 1903. The race continued, even through the pandemic years of 2020-2021, although it took place in August, not July, for the first time since World War Two. The world’s best cyclists come to the Tour de France to show their skills and plenty of grit, determination and stamina over a torrid course covering several weeks.

From time trials to tortuous mountain climbs and brutal sprints, the riders participate in 21 stages across 23 days.  Those who make it to the end at the Champs-Élysées, the jewel in the crown of the Tour de France, will have ridden around 3,404 kilometres (2,115 miles).  In anyone’s language, that is a herculean effort. 

Taking place mostly in July each year, the various stages weave through the beautiful French countryside, small villages and towns.  Occasionally, they are in or close to some big cities, but the beauty of regional France is usually at the forefront. 

The tour sometimes pops into other countries, with six out of the last ten years commencing in countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and even the United Kingdom. In 2023, the tour started in Spain and in 2024, it is heading to Italy.

Following the tour in a motorhome – tips and hints

Travelling in a motorhome in france for the first time, tips for first-timers following the tour de france in a motorhome, additional tips for following the tour de france, tour de france timeline 2024, where can i find a motorhome in france, hiring a motorhome in france, buying a motorhome in france, motorhome guides and advice, motorhome itineraries for locations on the 2024 route.

Even if you aren’t a Tour de France or cycling fan, seeing the event unfold on television can make you want to visit France in a heartbeat. Aside from the country’s pure beauty, the tour creates a carnival atmosphere in the towns it passes through.  The towns celebrate the tour, encouraging visitors to come and spend time with them.  Sometimes, depending on the area, it shuts the town down for a while when the Tour de France rolls through.  

The Tour de France publicity caravan is quite a spectacle to behold. Its entourage includes many decorated vehicles, and it runs ahead of the tour, whipping the crowd into a party mood and handing out promotional material. You can only truly witness it if you are there.  We loved seeing it come through Paris and up the Champs-Élysées.

One of the best ways to follow the Tour de France is by hiring a motorhome and creating your own itinerary that follows the stages of the race that you are interested in.  There is plenty to think about, but at the same time, it also doesn’t need to be over-planned.  Following the tour can still allow you to travel slowly and go where the road takes you, as those who love motorhoming know and love.

I spoke to Dino, a motorhome and tour fan, to get some insight into life on the road following the Tour de France.  His journey in saw him hit the French roads with two of his friends, keen to enjoy the race and see some of what France had to offer.

So, don’t just take it from me. These are his reasons why you should hire a motorhome in France (or tag along in your own) and follow the tour.  Each year, approximately 10,000 motorhomes participate in this event, and over ten million spectators watch along the way, so we’ve also included some great tips for making the most of your motorhome holiday.

What made you decide to hire a motorhome and follow the Tour de France?

“We were three middle-aged men in a motorhome, only one of whom (Peter) had done some camping, let alone motorhoming.  It was Peter’s suggestion we do this, principally to see the French countryside because every year he’d watch the tour on television and drool at its beauty.

I have been a cycling fan for a long time, having been a very competitive cyclist until recently, and I would watch Le Tour with my daughter.   She too, competed at a very high level, having raced for Australia. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to go.

Our third member was Frank, who was neither a cyclist nor a Le Tour fan, but he is one of those great guys you love to have around who loves life.  He’s also a great cook and would create magic meals even within the confines of the motorhome.”

Did you stay in the campgrounds every night? 

“No, we didn’t stay in any campgrounds.  We wanted the flexibility of staying wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted.  We didn’t want to be tied into being at a certain pre-booked campground on a certain day. We wild camped and made use of the France Passion network.”

More reading >> Read our guide to learn more about the France Passion network for motorhome stopovers

Did you have time for other sightseeing?

“We only caught 5-6 stages of the tour, which is plenty.  For the mountain stages, you need to get there 2-3 days beforehand anyway. We did plenty of sightseeing.”

Were you often stuck in traffic jams on the roads?

“Never. It’s amazing how quickly it clears out after the last bike passes.  The mountain stages with only one road up and down are busier. On Mt Tourmelat we stayed the extra night and drove off the mountain the next morning.”

What’s the atmosphere like?

“I cannot describe the atmosphere. Whatever I say would not do it justice.  It’s simply amazing. Everybody is very welcoming and friendly.  People will help you in any way they can, such as suggesting where to park and where to see the race.”

Can you set up outside your motorhome to watch the event?

“It depends on where you are.  The high mountains have very narrow roads, so you can’t park roadside.  We parked in a paddock and then walked to the roadside with our picnic chairs and table.”

Did anything surprise you about the trip?

“It exceeded my expectations and then some.”

Would you follow the Tour de France in a motorhome again?

“Yes, absolutely.”

Doing a road trip in a motorhome for the first time? Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your road trip, provided by Dino.

• Just do it!
• Check whether your motorhome has an inverter and decide whether you want one.  We didn’t have one and needed it since we wild camped so much and couldn’t plug into mains power.  The battery only lasts so long when you are stopped for long periods of time.
• Have some spare hose connector fittings for the motorhome’s water inlet hose.  They are such an easy thing to leave connected to the water tap after you have finished filling up.  Also, we found that at different locations, the sizes of the taps were different which made things a little tricky as well.  Fortunately, there were often fellow motorhome travellers around us who were more than happy to help out.
• Paper maps are good to have as well as GPS and Google Maps.
• The backroads and scenic routes are the way to go and we tried to incorporate as many of these into our trip, even if it meant driving in the wrong direction to where we would ultimately want to be.  The Back Roads France  is a great book to buy and have with you. It’s not the most current but it’s still worthwhile.
• Learn some basic French; it helps but is not essential.  I speak French at an intermediate level, which is helpful.
• Get a portable BBQ or grill with a bag of charcoal.
• If you are precious about the coffee you drink, buy a stove-top espresso coffee machine and make your own.
• In my opinion, the food in cafes and restaurants in France is overrated.  Go to the markets, buy fresh and cook it yourself.  It’s a great experience and saves you money.

Editors note – Lots of great tips in there, thanks Dino. We certainly agree with the need for an inverter .  We’ve been using one for many years when we hire a motorhome in Europe and couldn’t do without it. We also have a huge one in our motorhome back home in Australia.

Love the portable BBQ idea.  We cook onboard a lot, but it does get a bit messy sometimes.  We have a small portable gas stove for use outside when we travel. They are great also.  If you don’t like gas, induction cooktops come in a portable version too.

It’s a shame French cafe food hasn’t inspired you, as it’s one of our favourite world cuisines.  However, we do agree that not all cafes and restaurants are created equal, and you need to sift through them all and do your research to find the good ones.  Sometimes, in really small locations, it’s not always possible.  We love the markets and we buy from local markets every day when we are on the road.

Click on the links below for our videos and recipes for easy motorhome meals we’ve made and you can make yourself

How to make quiche lorraine in a motorhome

Our version of potato dauphinoise – easy to make in a motorhome

• Download the official Tour de France app to help you plan.
• Decide early which stages you want to see and where they are located.
• Do your research to work out if you need a crit air sticker for your vehicle. The TdF route might take you into cities that have requirements for their low-emission zones. Read our comprehensive guide on crit air stickers here .
• Plan your route well in advance and choose locations you are comfortable with. For example, if you are worried about driving in the mountains, these stages might not be right for you.
• Expect there to be crowds everywhere. Plan your arrival and departure times well.
• For a different perspective, try to see at least one starting and finishing stage and don’t forget the mountain climbs and finishes.
• Do not attempt to drive right into the towns at the centre of the stages, or you might get stuck.  Park out from the towns and walk/ride in.
• You will need clothing for all types of weather. 
• The time to travel on French roads, particularly the back roads or the mountains, should not be underestimated.   Roads can be narrow, not well sealed, winding, and in a large motorhome, travel is always much slower.  Allow time to drive, stop in at places along the way and appreciate the scenery. Read our guide on French driving tips and road rules.
• Before pulling up, stock the motorhome with fresh water and food/beverages. Once you are parked, you can’t move (or it’s not easy to move) until the stage has passed.
• Keep an eye on your waste and know where the dump stations are so you won’t get caught while parked.
• Always be mindful of other drivers on the roads and when you are looking for somewhere to park to watch the tour.
• Remember to look after your motorhome when parking, especially when reversing or parking in a tight spot.  There are bound to be areas where you park that will be offroad, so also watch out for rocks and low banks.  Use a spotter to be on the safe side.  Read how to keep you and your motorhome safe .
• Keep your motorhome locked up and secure when you are not in attendance. Even though you might think you are safe in a crowd, it’s also the perfect diversion for someone to get into your vehicle.
• The Tour de France rest days are a great opportunity to park up and spend more time in one place.  
• Spend money locally; they will love you for it.
• Have some wet weather equipment available, as well as a hat and sunscreen.
• If you are hiring a motorhome, especially for the first time, plan to pick it up before the tour starts in order to acquaint yourself with the vehicle and the roads.  If you have flown in on a long-haul flight, it’s also good advice to give yourself time to re-adjust to your new surroundings and time zone.
• Hire or have bicycles.  They are a must on our list of things to have in a motorhome.  When following the tour, you can trace the cyclists’ paths or use them to get into the smaller towns.
• If you are staying at campgrounds, especially at the start and finish, booking early is a must.

Extra tip for the mountain stages

Watching the mountain stages is a must-do!  These are very popular, especially the signature climbs like Alpes-D’Huez, Ventoux and Tourmalet, and they often have these stages on the weekend, so the locals aren’t working and join all the tourists, making it very, very crowded.

Get there early. The Mt Tourmalet stage was on Saturday afternoon. We got onto the mountain Thursday afternoon, and it was already busy with all roadside spots taken.  By Friday, the whole mountain was full. By Saturday, the mountain was closed.

Planning a motorhome European itinerary?  Read our planning tips

Motorhome stopovers in France

Motorhome touring in France is openly welcomed, and finding a stopover is easy. Motorhome travellers are spoiled for choice in France, with a range of options for overnight parking spots.

Campgrounds

There are thousands of official campgrounds found all over France.  They offer a safe place to stay with facilities such as electricity, showers/toilets, water and dump stations.  Ranging from one-star to five-star, additional services can include washing and drying facilities, wifi, convenience stores, playgrounds, inclusion for pets, etc.  All will charge commercial rates for these sites and will vary depending on the time of year, location and facilities offered.

If you plan on staying in campgrounds during the Tour de France period, it is highly recommended to book well in advance.  Campground sites book up early and fast with so many motorhomes following the tour.  This is particularly true for the areas around the starting and finishing stages immediately.

Tip: If you plan to be in Paris for the final stage on the Champs-Élysées, we recommend the campground, Camping de Paris , at Bois de Boulogne.  We’ve been staying here when we visit Paris since 1997, and while it has changed owners a few times, it’s the best campground near Paris for motorhomes, and it has excellent connections to public transport.

Key features:

• Extensive motorhome site and campground very close to the centre of Paris
• Open 365 days a year 
• Located in a huge expanse of natural parkland with campsite access to the River Seine
• Many facilities blocks are scattered throughout the campground to cater for large numbers of visitors.  Facilities include hairdryers, family bathrooms and heating.
• Wifi in reception and bar
• Convenience store (includes delivery of fresh bread and croissants if ordered the day before) *
• Bar and cafe on site
• Bikes and barbeques for hire during the summer period
• Free shuttle to Porte Maillot in Paris centre.

Location: 2 Allée du Bord de l’Eau 75016 Paris

For a list of almost 10,000 campgrounds, go to Camping France .

Aires de Service

Aires de Service locations in France provide some basic services for motorhomes, like electricity, water and dump stations.  Not all aires have all the facilities. For example, some may only have electricity and water, but no waste dumping is possible.  Others provide a small number of spaces for motorhome parking during the day, while some allow overnight stays for up to 24 hours.  Services will attract a small fee.  Parking and overnight parking may also attract a fee but are usually offered free of charge.

More reading >> Read our detailed guide on  Aires de Service in France

France Passion

This is our favourite part of driving through France in a motorhome.  We love staying as local as possible and buying directly from the owners and farmers.  We’ve always managed to find some incredible spots to stay.  If you love camping a little more freely, love mixing with locals and even want to save some money, France Passion is the perfect option when looking for somewhere to stay in a motorhome. 

Staying at a France Passion location is free and without obligation. Bookings are not required.

More reading >> Read our comprehensive guide on France Passion and why we highly recommend wild camping for motorhomes and using the France Passion network in the south-west of France .

HomeCamper is a little similar to France Passion.  Here, anyone can put their piece of land that they have available up for rent.  A homeowner might have a spot in their back yard or a  farmer might have space on their property, for example.  The key difference here is that they will usually have some services on offer (water, electricity) but will also charge a nominal fee to cover the use of such services.  Bookings must also be made online.

Wild camping

This is also one of our favourite things to do.  Wild camping , or staying somewhere that is not a dedicated campground or area to stay is legal in most parts of France.  It’s not possible in large cities, and in some, like the French Riviera, it’s expressly forbidden, but elsewhere in France, opportunities abound.

Find a nice spot on the side of a road near a lake or river and pull up for the night.  Just be respectful of the area around you, always take your rubbish, don’t drop your waste, and ensure it is in a secure location.  We don’t recommend staying at the major highway service stations as they can be unsafe.

The 2024 Tour de France starts in Florence, Italy, on Saturday, June 29. The final stage ends in Nice on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday, July 21. 

Due to the Paris Olympics in 2024, this will be the first year in the history of the Tour de France in which the final stage does not end in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. Instead, it will end in the south on the Cotes d’Azur in Nice. The route cuts through two countries, one republic and one principality: Italy, France, the Republic of San Marino and the Principality of Monaco.

Of the 39 locations that will be visited throughout the race, 12 of them have never had the tour pass through before. We have spent a lot of time in many of the locations along the route, in the motorhome, so we are excited to see them included.

Tour de France route 2024

• 29 June – Stage 1: Florence > Rimini (Italy)
• 30 June – Stage 2: Cesenatico > Bologna (Italy)
• 1 July – Stage 3: Plaisance > Turin (Italy)
• 2 July – Stage 4: Pinerolo >Valloire (re-entry into France)
• 3 July – Stage 5: Saint-Jean-Maurienne > Saint-Vulbas
• 4 July – Stage 6: Macon > Dijon
• 5 July – Stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges > Gevrey-Chambertin
• 6 July – Stage 8: Semur-En-Auxois > Colombey-Les-Deux-Eglises
• 7 July – Stage 9: Troyes
• 8 July – Rest day (Orleans)
• 9 July – Stage 10: Orleans > Saint-Amand-Montrond
• 10 July – Stage 11: Evaux Les Bains > Le Lioran
• 11 July – Stage 12: Aurillac > Villeneure-sur-Lot
• 12 July – Stage 13: Agen > Pau
• 13 July – Stage 14: Pau > Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla D’Adet
• 14 July – Stage 15: Loudenvielle > Plateau de Bielle
• 15 July – Rest day (Gruissan)
• 16 July – Stage 16: Gruissan > Nimes
• 17 July – Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux > Superdevoluy
• 18 July – Stage 18: Gap > Barcelonnette
• 19 July – Stage 19: Embrun > Isola 2000
• 20 July – Stage 20: Nice > Col de la Couillole
• 21 July – Stage 21: Monaco > Nice

You can find the map of the Tour de France cities here .

Tour de France stages 2024

• Flat – Stages 3,5,6,8,10,12,13,16
• Hills – Stages 1,2,9,18
• Mountains – Stages 4,11,14,15,17,19,20
• Time trials – Stage 7,21
• Rest days – 8 and 15 July

Tour de France tours and packages

Finally, if you aren’t in a motorhome or plan to leave it behind at some stage to pick up more of the tour in another way, it’s best to use one of the official tour operators accredited by the Tour de France.  That way, you can be sure you are dealing with authentic tour groups with a history of working with the tour.  There are cycling tours, packages that include grandstand access on final day (which I must say look amazing!)  and other related sightseeing tours.

The list of official travel agents for the Tour de France can be found here .

So you’ve decided to take this great journey to see the Tour de France, but you don’t own a motorhome. Several options are available to those who want to take a motorhome road trip.  These are the options we recommend based on personal experience and knowledge of these providers.

We use and recommend Anywhere Campers.  Other providers are around – and we have used many of them over the years – but we have hired from this company and use them exclusively when we return to France and Europe.  Why?  They are easy to work with, we know what we are going to get when we pick up the vehicle, and their one-way hire model is excellent. Their pricing is also transparent.

For this year’s Tour de France, the one-way hiring option is perfect. You can pick it up from Italy, follow the tour for as long as you like, and return it to France, for example.

More reading >> Read more about how one-way motorhome hire works and renting a one-way motorhome from Anywhere Campers .

Alternatively, if you are looking to buy a motorhome in France to travel before, during and/or after the Tour de France for an extended period of time, we also have a solution for you.  Travellers who are not residents of the EU find it hard to locate reputable sellers of motorhomes.  Buying motorhomes in France legally is also a major factor to consider.

If you plan on buying a motorhome in France, you can’t afford to miss our comprehensive guide on buying one legally. We use and recommend a reputable, French-based motorhome company owned by someone we have worked with for many years – and met! Read this before making any of the necessary decisions and before you hand over your cash!

Read now >> Buying a motorhome legally in France

• Must-ask questions before hiring a motorhome in France (or Europe)
• Tips for planning a European motorhome itinerary
• What’s inside a campervan?
• Things to pack to make your motorhome life a breeze
• Tips for picking up a hired motorhome
• Tips for motorhome safety
• Comprehensive packing guide for motorhome road trips

As mentioned, we have covered much of the ‘immediate’ ground of the locations where the Tour de France cyclists will ride in 2024. To We’ve put all of our related guides and itineraries below. to save you time searching. There are still many more on our site, so if you are spending more time in these countries, just keep searching under the ‘Motorhome’, ‘ France’, or ‘Italy’ on the main menu.

• 20 days in south-west France + France Passion stopovers
• Lot River and Lot Valley itinerary – includes Villeneuve-sur-Lot stage 12
• Things to do in Dijon in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region (Burgundy) – includes Dijon stage 6
• Burgundy 10-day itinerary (covers Dijon)
• Burgundy wine trail itinerary (in the vicinity of Dijon)
• How to spend two days in Narbonne – includes Gruissan rest day and stage 16
• Canal du Midi itinerary – close by stages 14-16
• Loire Valley canal itinerary – close by Orleans – rest day and stage 10
• Things to do in Bologna – stages 2-3
• Things to do in Cesenatico – stages 2-3
• The best things to do in the Emilia Romagna region – stages 2-3
• Things to do in the Romagna Hills – stages 2-3
• How to spend 24 hours in San Marino – stages 2-3

Book your flight:  Flights are an important part of travel and we’re always looking for the best deals. If you can travel mid-week and be flexible, you’ll often find great deals on flights. We also use  Skyscanner  and  Expedia for flight bookings. Dollar Flight Club is a great resource for getting special advance offers and even error fares directly to your inbox.

Book your accommodation:  We all love to stay in different places, from the comfort of a self-contained apartment or house to a resort or luxury hotel. Sometimes we need something quick, easy and comfortable for an overnight stay. 

We use all of the following online booking portals depending on where we want to stay and the type of accommodation we are looking for.

• VRBO and Stayz (in Australia) – great for holiday rentals of more than seven days and often have discounts for longer periods.
• Booking.com and Expedia – two of our favourites due to their cancellation and refund policies.
• Trip Advisor – perfect for getting reviews, checking availability and pricing comparisons all in one place.

Book your rental car or motorhome:  We always use  Discover Rental Cars  anywhere in the world for car hire.  Anywhere Campers  is our preferred motorhome hiring company in Europe, especially if you want to be able to pickup and drop off at different locations (even countries) in Europe. If you’d like to buy your own motorhome in France , we use and recommend  France Motorhome Sales . Use our code FMS1022 or tell John we sent you!

Book a tour:   We travel independently, but when we do book we book them with reputable companies who have a great cancellation and refund policy. If you are looking for advance tickets to an attraction, group or private tours, we use and recommend  Get Your Guide  and  Viator . Both have a great range of tours and flexible cancellation policies. If you are looking to do a food tour in Europe, we also recommend  Eating Europe Tours .

Be covered:  We always travel with  travel insurance . We did it before the pandemic and it’s even more important for us to do so now. We use Cover-More in Australia.  SafetyWing  has great rates for travellers who are away from home for extended periods. 

Be ready : Make sure you pack a few essentials: universal adaptor ,  power bank  and  noise-cancelling headphones

Many thanks to Dino for taking the time to share his experiences with us as he followed the Tour de France for the first time in a motorhome!  A special thank you to him for giving us access to his personal photos.  All images provided by Dino have been noted accordingly and are used with his permission.

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

Read more about Kerri here

4 thoughts on “Following the Tour de France in a motorhome: 2024 Planning tips and advice”

Hi Paul, are you asking for us to be your tour guides?

Take all the guess work and hassle out and we just come along with you as passengers! Can you make this happen? for the 2025 Touré de France. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary!! Mr & Mrs. Bikers Manassas Virginia USA

Hi Paul and Nikki, now that definitely sounds like the life. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and for your comments. We have driven extensively through Eastern Europe in a motorhome, bypassed Croatia as it was too hard to stay overnight at the time (but came back later under our own steam). Have a great summer!

Hi Kerri & Stirling

A fabulously interesting and informative post guys. A really great read.

We toured part of Europe in our motorhome last summer and have discussed joining the Tour de France ‘throng’ so this is so incredibly helpful. We’re heading to Croatia, Montenegro and Eastern Europe this summer so definitely one to consider for next year.

Thanks so much

Paul & Nicki

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Terry Peloton.

THE TOUR DE FRANCE CARAVAN.

July 19, 2019 By Colin D. Leave a Comment

The Tour de France Caravan – The Other Greatest Spectacle In Sport.

There’s a side of the Tour de France that people watching highlights on TV or streaming the race might never see: La Caravane Du Tour. Only the spectators who put up with all kinds of inconvenience to watch the race flash by in person get to fully appreciate this aspect of the Tour.

It’s the Tour de France advertising caravan – a pre-race party parade that follows the route soon to be ridden by the teams.

It’s a golden opportunity for advertisers, with around 12 million people lining the Tour de France route, ready to be entertained.

The organizers started to limit the numbers for safety with around 180 participating now, and enforce strict safety specifications for the vehicles.

The Tour de France caravan may provide a different kind of spectacle than the struggles and competition of the world’s greatest stage race, but race fans love it almost as much. Some people follow the caravan from stage to stage for days at a time, and organizers found that almost half the spectators arrive early specifically to see the caravan pass by.

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Stage 1 | 06/29 Florence > Rimini

Stage 2 | 06/30 cesenatico > bologne, stage 3 | 07/01 plaisance > turin, stage 4 | 07/02 pinerolo > valloire, stage 5 | 07/03 saint-jean-de-maurienne > saint-vulbas, stage 6 | 07/04 mâcon > dijon, stage 7 | 07/05 nuits-saint-georges > gevrey-chambertin, stage 8 | 07/06 semur-en-auxois > colombey-les-deux-églises, stage 9 | 07/07 troyes > troyes, rest | 07/08 orléans, stage 10 | 07/09 orléans > saint-amand-montrond, stage 11 | 07/10 évaux-les-bains > le lioran, stage 12 | 07/11 aurillac > villeneuve-sur-lot, stage 13 | 07/12 agen > pau, stage 14 | 07/13 pau > saint-lary-soulan pla d'adet, stage 15 | 07/14 loudenvielle > plateau de beille, rest | 07/15 gruissan, stage 16 | 07/16 gruissan > nimes, stage 17 | 07/17 saint-paul-trois-châteaux > superdévoluy, stage 18 | 07/18 gap > barcelonnette, stage 19 | 07/19 embrun > isola 2000, stage 20 | 07/20 nice > col de la couillole, stage 21 | 07/21 monaco > nice, tour culture, grand départ florence émilie-romagne 2024, grand départ lille-nord de france 2025, 2024 tour de france finale in nice, riding into the future, all the news, official tour operators, history of tour de france, accessories.

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Tour de France : Final stage of glory in Paris

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Reading time: 0 min Published on 4 January 2023, updated on 16 April 2024

The final sprint of the Tour de France always takes place on Paris’ famous avenue. On 18 July, as it has every year since 1975, the last stage of the famous cycling race will end on the Champs-Élysées.

With 3,383 kilometres for the legs to tackle and some 403,000 pedal strokes over three weeks, taking part in the Tour de France is no easy task.

In view of the conclusion of the 21st and final stage of the Grand Boucle , the peloton will give it all they’ve got. Before parading in the capital, the riders will have sweated to climb the 30 passes of the 2021 race, rising in their saddles to pick up momentum and clenching their teeth in the vertiginous descents.

The Champs-Élysées in all its majesty

From Brittany to the Alps, from the Occitanie to the Pyrenees, the riders will have been so focused on their performance that they won’t have soaked up much of the photogenic landscapes of France, broadcast across 100 TV channels.

But by the end of the efforts, what a reward: the majestic Champs-Élysées, with the blue-white-red wake of the famous Patrouille de France fly-past. Nobody else has such a claim on the famous avenue except the French football team, winner of the World Cup in 2018.

Standing on the podium at the bottom of the famous Parisian avenue, with the setting sun at the Arc de Triomphe and Grande Arche de la Défense as a backdrop, the winner of the Tour will have – like all his fellow riders – accomplished the Parisian ritual.

Established in 1975, this involves riding up and down the Champs-Élysées eight times, totalling 1,910 legendary metres separating the obelisk of the Place de la Concorde from the star of the Place Charles-de-Gaulle.

A ride beside the Louvre Pyramid

Seen from above, the spectacle of the peloton winding like a long ribbon decorated around the Arc de Triomphe is magical. From the pavements lining the route of this final sprint, the enthusiasm of the public pushes the riders on through the Quai des Tuileries, Place des Pyramides and Rue de Rivoli in Paris.

Will they take a look as they go past? Not sure. Almost lying on their handlebars, they traditionally take this last stage at a crazy pace, overlooking the cobblestones and prestigious landmarks around. Louis Vuitton, Guerlain, Ladurée and even, recently, the Galeries Lafayette, make up the exclusive backdrop of the peloton’s arrival on the Champs-Élysées.

Among the live support or behind your TV screen, it’s you who will enjoy all these beauties... happy as a spectator of the Tour!

View this post on Instagram The Yellow Jersey, a dream for everyone! Le Maillot Jaune, un rêve pour chacun ! #TDF2019 A post shared by Tour de France™ (@letourdefrance) on May 17, 2019 at 3:13am PDT

Paris region Tourism Board: www.visitparisregion.com/en

Paris Tourist Office: https://en.parisinfo.com/

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La caravane du Tour de France passe, Tourtel Twist reste

Tourtel Twist , marque de bière sans alcool de Brasseries Kronenbourg, a prolongé son contrat avec le Tour de France jusqu’en 2026 . Présent depuis 2022, le groupe a trouvé sa place dans le peloton des caravaniers qui défilent sur la Grande Boucle. Elue deuxième caravane préférée du public pour sa première année dans le dispositif, elle s’est classée à la même place du prix des goodies préférés des spectateurs en 2023.

Tourtel Twist prolonge jusqu’en 2026 avec le Tour de France

« Nous sommes ravis que Tourtel Twist puisse continuer d’aller à la rencontre des spectateurs sur le Tour de France. C’est un partenariat très efficace pour notre marque, qui permet de rassembler autour d’un moment convivial et sportif », glisse dans le communiqué, Anders Roed, le PDG Brasseries Kronenbourg.  » Le Tour de France et Tourtel Twist se retrouvent autour de cet esprit de convivialité et de fête. La bonne humeur partagée par l’ensemble des équipes contribue largement à la fête que doit être la Grande Boucle. Je ne doute pas que les animations imaginées par Tourtel Twist sauront ravir le public nombreux au bord des routes », ajoute le patron du Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme.

400 000 canettes et 100 000 bobs distribués cette année sur la course

Pour 2024, la caravane Tourtel Twist paradera avec six véhicules, qu’occuperont une trentaine de caravaniers pour couvrir les 3492 kilomètres de la course, distribuant plus de 400 000 canettes de bières sans alcool aux saveurs de citron, ananas et citron vert, ainsi que 100 000 bobs. Sera reconduite aussi l’opération « apérovélo », qui se tiendra à l’arrivée de neuf étapes.

La caravane du Tour de France passe, Tourtel Twist reste est un article paru sur Sportune