Three zones entirely dedicated to the Tour de France will open in July to welcome, free of charge, the devotees of the biggest cycling event in the world. This year, with the Grand Départ in Belgium, a Fan Park will be set up in Brussels. The cities of Albi and Nîmes will then play host to this cycling celebration.
Three brand-new venues will each boast a unique atmosphere devoted to the Tour de France. With the participation of the local institutions that will host the race and its partners, the organisers will install Fan Parks to offer a new experience to Tour de France enthusiasts. These Fan Parks aim to entertain the public but also to promote cycling on a daily basis. The participating cities will also set up spaces featuring tourism and local products. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected during the 10 days the Fan Parks will be open.
Each site will have a giant screen to follow all the race live, an entertainment podium, BMX demonstrations, challenges on the velodrome, a Tour exhibit and a bicycle merry-go-round where the parents pedal for the enjoyment of their children. And there will be plenty of cycling-related activities ranging from a commentator booth to ‘‘souvenir kiosks”, bicycle simulators to ride on the Tour de France stages, virtual reality glasses, a coffee bar and a lot more. Participants will also have the chance to win numerous prizes with the ‘‘wheels” of fortune. And finally, local associations will be on hand to continue the training once the pro riders start the race.
The Brussels Fan Park, which will be located at Place de Brouckère, will open from Thursday 4 July to Sunday 7 July. Visitors will fully enjoy the Grand Départ in the city where five-time Tour winner Eddy Merckx is King. Tour de France enthusiasts will then be welcomed in the Albi city centre at Place Lapérouse, from Monday 15 July to Wednesday 17 July. The Tour Fan Park will then be installed on the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle in front of the Arena of Nîmes from Sunday 21 July to Tuesday 23 July.
Bruxelles : 4/5/6/7 July – Place de Brouckère
• Thursday 4 July: 14h – 20h
• Friday 5 July: 10h – 19h
• Saturday 6 July: 10h – 19h
• Sunday 7 July: 11h – 18h
Albi : 15/16/17 July - Place Lapérouse
• Monday 15 July: 14h – 20h
• Tuesday 16 July: 10h – 19h
• Wednesday 17 July: 9h - 15h
Nîmes : 21/22/23 July - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle
• Sunday 21 July: 14h – 19h
• Monday 22 July: 10h – 21h
• Tuesday 23 July: 10h – 19h
The Ateliers du Tour
Within the framework of the "Riding in to the Future" campaign, the Ateliers du Tour - workshops dedicated to the public and more specifically children - will be held at the Fan Parks and in Pau on 19 July (from 9h to 19h at Place de Verdun). This educational space, dedicated to the promotion of the bicycle as a mode of soft mobility, teaches you how to choose a bicycle among the different options: electric, cargo and folding versions... Everyone can find the bicycle that best suits them!
Visitors will learn how to ride a bicycle in the initiation area, while a repair workshop teaches useful maintenance. Taking care of your bike also means protecting yourself: a booth will provide the right advice for securing it with a lock. Bicycles can also be engraved free of charge with an ID number complying with the national Bicycode system. Attention will also be paid to safety issues both with regard to equipment (helmets, vests, etc.). and traffic rules with Road Safety as part of its "Sharing the Road" campaign.
New at the workshops this year:
• A brand-new beginners’ track for children aged 2 to 14
• A workshop entirely dedicated to children with wheel-changing lessons, maintenance tips, TDF themed drawing contest, games, prizes…
• An electric bicycle test track, an area dedicated to soft mobility with the committed support from Enedis and Continental
• A new campaign ‘‘rediscover your city” by bicycle with touristic rides passing by the main points of interest (parks, squares, monuments, etc.) with the committed support of AG2R La Mondiale.
