The tour rolled into France this Monday, after its grand debut in the Basque Country. Attention focused on the growth of the nationwide suburbs revolt, which spread widely yet seemed cushioned by a robust security bubble. Regional testing showed strong local guard presence and a capability to manage crowds across areas that feel deeply protected, with 23,000 security personnel prepared to keep watch until the Grande Boucle reaches its finale on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 23.
On July 15, 2016, security for the Tour changed dramatically as precautions increased fourfold overnight. The Nice attack, which claimed 84 lives and wounded more than 200, intensified a focus on safety. With the exception of the 2020 edition conducted behind closed doors because of the pandemic, French forces, ASO’s private security team, and extended road closures have guarded every stage of the race across the country, ensuring the course remains secure wherever it travels.
In fact, the tour is the country’s most visible sporting event, transcending the disagreements among riders over who wears the yellow jersey. The French public views it as a cultural moment that unites communities, turning July into a time of shared pride. A summer without the Tour is felt like December without Christmas for many in France.
The security apparatus is uncompromising. The race operates with a workforce of 23,000 personnel, drawn from national police and gendarmerie units, plus first responders ready to handle any incident under local law. The Tour also assumes responsibility for any costs related to safety measures during the event.
Through non-national roads that are typically secondary and departmental, the route is closed well before the cyclists arrive. Fans can access only pre-approved points that function as gates, including protected roads and paths guarded by the gendarmerie. At the departure and arrival points, private security escorts manage access, with accredited guests passing through controlled points after bag checks and VIP verification, ensuring that security is maintained while allowing legitimate participation in the event.
Departures and arrivals
Entrances to the finish area are strictly controlled by accredited personnel who are visible with protective measures in place. Safety teams operate with heightened caution in the surrounding environment, and civil police officers, marked by armbands, blend into the scene to avoid causing alarm among spectators who see uniformed personnel without weapons on display. The overall presence aims to project reassurance while maintaining vigilance.
Hotels hosting the teams are protected by security staff, and police vehicles remain on standby near the course days before the riders arrive. Despite these measures, protests have occurred in the past, with environmental activists briefly blocking sections of the route in the Alps. Such incidents have prompted extensive coverage, though some broadcasts choose to limit visual dispersion of these events for safety and security reasons.
Prudhomme’s reflection
Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour, notes that authorities remain in continuous contact with the government and monitor the situation closely. The commitment is to keep the event running with every precaution in place, while acknowledging that a pervasive police presence covers nearly every inch of public space along the route. This readiness underlines a shared goal: protect spectators, athletes, and staff while preserving the integrity of the race.