Events in 2013: Celebrate the 100th Tour de France in Style

It’s the ultimate athletic test and the ultimate traveller’s dream rolled into one. Whether it is cycling across the beauty of the French countryside, allowing its picturesque landscape and the mighty Alps to take your breath away (literally) or witnessing the inspiring life on Champs-Elysees – there can be no better way of exploring the country than the Tour de France. Celebrating its 100^th year this year, the mega event, starting June 29, promises three weeks of the most fascinating experience in the life of its participants.

Tour de France is undoubtedly one of the greatest cycling events, attracting the world's best riders

The Tour de France

The Tour de France is an annual multi-stage bicycle race held mainly in France since 1903. The only time the races did not take place was during the two World Wars. Over the years, the race has become a coveted event and today it usually extends beyond France to other parts of Europe, with participation from trained athletes from across the world. This year being its centennial celebration, the race will be held exclusively in France, for the first time in 10 years. All in all, the event is as much a celebration of France as it is a celebration of man’s sporting spirit.

Nice, with its breathtaking scenery and natural beauty, is a part of the tour route

The Bicycle Trail

Each year, the Tour de France route is chalked out anew. This year’s route, according to the organisers, has been especially designed to show off France in all its glorious beauty – not only to the participants but to audiences across 190 countries who eagerly watch the event. The route will explore and discover the island of Corsica beginning with the port city of Bastia, then move to Nice, one of France’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities. From there, the tour will lead to Marseilles, and then Albi which is famous for the enchanting Albi Cathedral. The tour will then eventually move to Avranches and Mont Saint-Michel or the Palace of Versailles, Lyon another one of France’s beautiful cities. The race will finally culminate at one of modern world’s most chic addresses- the scintillating Champs-Elysees in Paris. In its breathtaking journey the tour will cover UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful landscapes and tough terrain.

Paris plays host to the final stage of the Tour de France

No Holds Barred

The organisers plan to make this year’s race count. There are several special events that are therefore being organised to mark the race’s 100^th edition, with many firsts this time round.

Tour Highlights

• A tour exhibition at the French Senate allowing spectators to “come closer to the event” through a four-month long photographic exhibition
• The release of the film La Grande Boucle in cinemas across France
• An event entitled Celebrating the Tour which will be held on June 15 in all the cities through which the tour route will pass
• Setting up of an activity village in Nice from June 29 to July 1
• ‘Ride on the Champs-Elysees’, allowing enthusiastic spectators to personally be a part of this event
• The actual event which begins on Corsica
• And the final finish of the race at Champs-Elysées at nightfall with a special ending ceremony

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