Fan Park: The Tour, from the Alps to London!

The memories are still fresh: tens of thousands swarming Trafalgar Square for the team presentation, Fabian Cancellara hurtling past Buckingham Palace, the bunch standing to attention for the French and British anthems on Tower Bridge... In July 2007, the Grand Start in London marked a turning point in the history of the Tour de France and had an even greater impact on its relationship with fans on the other side of the Channel. Bradley Wiggins only managed to finish fourth in the prologue, while rookie Mark Cavendish's hopes of taking a sprint win in Canterbury were dashed by a mechanical problem, but this unforgettable experience on their home turf marked their destinies without a shadow of a doubt. On their sides, the British were conquered by the Grande Boucle and then went on to conquer it. This year round, they will be the first to get a taste of the Fan Park, a village of activities which will be set up in the heart of the Canary Wharf business district and tick to the Tour's beat during a week of racing.

Tour fans will be able to watch the battle for the 100th edition rage on in the Alps while they relax on the banks of the Thames. From 11 o'clock in the morning, the village will open the doors of the world of the Tour to all spectators, entirely free of charge. A giant screen will give everyone the opportunity to follow the stage of the day, relive its highlights for those who missed the finish, and enjoy exclusive features from the roads of the Tour. There will also be educational photo exhibitions for the curious to brush up on cycling culture, as well as stands showcasing French regional produce and, with an eye on the 2014 edition, a selection of Yorkshire specialities. With several big names of sport and TV scheduled to drop by, coming to the Fan Park is a must for any Tour aficionado worthy of this name. It is also the perfect place for supporters to come together and celebrate the performances of the British contingent in the evening of the finish on the Champs-Elysées… and, why not, a new victory!

London Fan Park
. Set up in Wood Wharf, right at the heart of Canary Wharf
. Free entrance for everyone from July 15 to 21, from 10:30 am to 10 pm
. The village will close later on the evening of July 21, the day of the evening finish on the Champs-Elysées
. For further information, go to http://tourdefrancefanpark.co.uk/ and the official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/tourdefrancefanpark