Celebrated by bands like Queen in “I Want to Ride my Bicycle” or Kraftwerk with “Tour de France”, the greatest cycling contest in the world first kicked off on January 29th, 1903. The original tour would start in Montgeron and end in Paris. Some of the stops along the way included Lyons, Marseilles, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nantes. The Parc des Princes in Paris was the final leg.
What with its gigantic circuit (close to 5,500 km) composed of numerous routes and passes, the race would soon gain immense popularity. Since the very first races, the cyclists’ exploits were highlighted by the media that caricaturized the athletes as “muscle aristocrats”. Considered by the public to be larger than life, these athletes would bring glory to France and its many regions, all thanks to a simple bicycle. With an unfavorable political backdrop, related to the proximity of borders and economic factors, World Wars I and II would prove unkind to the race. It wasn’t until June 1947 that the French government entrusted the “Parisien Libéré” and their team with the task of reorganizing the Tour de France. The 50s would see the advent of television, which was adapted to the Tour de France in 1948; the arrival at the Parc des Princes was the first live event to air on French television.
The discovery of new ascents, notably Mont Ventoux in 1951, made the race attractive all over again. These main altitude challenges were incorporated the following year, at Alpes du Huez in Sestrières and in Puy de Dôme. Until 1967, the Tour would wrap up at the Parc des Princes’ former velodrome. Between 1968 and 1974, the race would come to a close at the Cipale velodrome in the Bois de Vincennes. In that same year, the organizers decided to change the location to the Champs Elysées. Considered by Parisians to be the most beautiful avenue in the world, the name “Champs Elysées” comes from the name of the Underworld where virtuous souls would go in Greek mythology. The Champs Elysées is an ideal place to host and congratulate the winners. And now you can do it on board this extremely light and luxurious 8-speed Hermès bicycle.
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