Tour de France 2016

For its 113th year, Le Tour de France, the world’s premier biking race, began on July 2, and finishes in Paris on Sunday, July 24.  This year’s tour has taken on extra resonance with the terrible terrorist attacks in Nice on July 14 (Bastille Day).  While security will be tight, expect the French and the free world to stand with France and support this momentous event.

The route stretches in 21 stages, interestingly with the first stage in the department of Manche (a first), winding through Normandy, Brittany, Bordeaux, the mountainous Pyrénées, to the grand finale on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, on Sunday on July 24.  The winner, in his yellow jersey, will parade with the other cyclists through the streets of Paris,  through Place de la Concorde, before hitting the finish line on the Champs-Élysées.   There are several cafés located on the streets of the Left Bank, so grab a seat early in the morning and sip your café as you wait for the cyclists to rush in and race through the city.

Champagne is a traditional drink to celebrate the final and cyclists are known to pass flutes of champagne to each other as they ride on their way to the finish line.  So pop a bottle of bubbly and celebrate, not only for the cyclists, but also for witnessing one of the greatest cycling events in history.

Click here to find out more information about the race, including the full route and all stages.

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