During a conversation with Sergi Mas last Thursday, it was emphasized that the Tour de France is more than a sporting event; it is a cultural phenomenon deeply embedded in French life. Each July the landscape of the nation shifts because of this race. The grande bouque, rooted in history since its inception in 1903, has grown into a spectacle of celebration, sport, and community, week after week, year after year, continually surprising spectators with its vitality.
The Tour’s route through the Basque Country was marked by dignity and warmth. The focus remained on festive spectacle rather than political disputes. The tone suggested that the race’s French origin was not a point of contention; rather, it was celebrated as a shared tradition. When labor concerns did surface, especially in Bilbao, they appeared as attempts to amplify media attention through the Tour’s spotlight rather than as central issues of the event itself.
The tour is no longer relocating from France
Today the race remains firmly within French soil, with the finish on July 23 anticipated at the Champs-Élysées where the yellow jersey will finally crown the winner. There is a quiet concern that political tensions within the country could cast a shadow over the event, yet enthusiasm remains undiminished. Towns along the route, from Bayonne to the Basque Country, rise to greet the riders, recognizing the tremendous affection that each community pours into the competition.
The last French rider to win the Tour was Bernard Hinault, a triumph recorded 38 years prior. In 2019, Julian Alaphilippe came close, stirring the national imagination with the dream of Paris adorned in yellow, even as the dream slipped from reach for that campaign.
Shift
The Tour has witnessed victories by riders from many nations—Americans, Spaniards, Danes, Germans, Italians, Australians, Britons, Colombians, and Slovenes have crossed the line first. Yet, despite the diverse winners, there is a certain charm in the festival atmosphere that French fans and participants alike cherish. The scene is filled with pride as spectators recall memorable performances, while riders like Romain Bardet remain emblematic of a continuous French passion for the sport.
As the sun sets on the Bayonne skyline, just after departing San Sebastián, spectators smile and wave at any Team Tour support vehicle arriving in town, a small ritual of welcome that underscores the event’s communal spirit.
Rules
For those unfamiliar, the Tour closes public roads hours in advance to ensure safe passage for the cyclists. In mountainous stages, the advance preparation can stretch over days. Only the event vehicles—on a professional mission—are permitted to move where the route is secured. The organizers place color-coded plaques on the front and rear of each vehicle to indicate their role, creating a clear safety protocol. The rule is simple: the chase is serious, and the roads belong to those racing on two wheels.
In Bayonne, the city eagerly awaited, already dressed in the Tour’s signature yellow. The Basque Country on the French side speaks French, while Basque remains a living cultural thread for some residents, adding texture to the shared experience across borders.
Most desired party
The passion for the Tour compels towns to celebrate, even when not hosting the competition, as the race travels through. The spirit of Hinault lingers as a touchstone of national pride, while the memory of past campaigns continues to inspire new generations. The real aim is to savor the moment, to decorate streets in Tour colors, to recoup the investment of hosting, and to honor the long, storied history of the Grande Boucle. The experience is meant to be lived, not merely observed; entering France with devotion, belief, and stamina lends the Tour a distinctive hue, even without the scent of orange blossoms or the presence of mythical elements.
The Tour’s regional footprint—its people, its towns, its landscapes—transforms into a living tableau of national identity. It becomes a shared ritual that feels almost familial, linking history with the present and inviting every onlooker to become part of the journey.
The result is an event that transcends sport. It is a cultural festival that celebrates dedication, community, and the enduring allure of competition. The Tour remains a powerful reminder of what a country can mobilize when a single pursuit captures the heart of a nation and unites spectators from coast to coast around a shared dream, every July.