"Chapeau Brittany!"
The Tour knows how to compose and adapt, and proved it once again with such joy. The adverse winds never troubled the race and its team mates are always ready to offer shelter.
Once the postponement of the 2022 Grand Départ in Copenhagen was made official, Brittany stepped forward, led out by the Conseil Général and the backing of Brest, carried by the impulse of the authorities of the four departments and local communities. Chapeau and thank you!
The richness that the roads of Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor, Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine have to offer, day after day, including a double climb up Mûr-de-Bretagne highlight of the journey through Brittany, will immediately create momentum.
USEFUL INFORMATION - GRAND DÉPART BRETAGNE 2021
Four all-Brittany stages will be on the programme of the Tour beginning on 26 June, with stages that will likely be influential for the Yellow Jersey contenders.
Wednesday 23rd of June
Opening of the headquarters and press center at Brest Expo
Thursday 24tʰ of June
Team presentation of the 2021 Tour de France
Saturday 26tʰ of June
Stage 1 | Brest > Landerneau
Sunday 27tʰ of June
Stage 2 | Perros-Guirec > Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan
Monday 28tʰ of June
Stage 3 | Lorient > Pontivy
Tuesday 29tʰ of June
Stage 4 | Redon > Fougères
This year, and for the first time, Le Tour de France et his main partner LCL give pride to the Yellow Jersey trough a contest between the eight stage-cities of 2021 Grand Départ Bretagne. From Brest to Fougères, passing by Landerneau, Perros-Guirec, Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan, Lorient, Pontivy and Redon, each city aims to decorate itself in yellow!
Its raw landscapes, trademark of a region that is both maritime and terrestrial, with its 30,000 kms of rivers and its 2,370 kms of coast make Brittany a land like no other.
Its coastline represents one third of the French coastline and no common of Brittany is situated further than 80 kms from the sea. A peninsular region, it’s like a welcoming harbour for those who live there and those who decide to move there. The natural heritage is the main touristic asset of Brittany but the built heritage, the megaliths, the beaches, the sites to visit and the many events are just as many reasons to come and discover.
With more than 10,000 scientists and numerous university sites and major schools, it offers a fertile ground to so many sectors of activity. Brittany has become a leader in domains such as
food, maritime and digital.
It leads in sectors of the future like cybersecurity, marine energies, competition sailing, biotechnology and industry. A dynamic economy that attracts creators and entrepreneurs from start ups to major groups and offers a multitude of professional opportunities.
Brittany is also a land of sports with a huge playing field for the Brittons in clubs, at a high level or simply for leisure.
A great number of sporting events are organised in the different territories and attract a huge amount of spectators.
Here, cycling is in the leading group.
Legendary champions, mythical races, faithful fans… In Brittany cycling is hype!
They were nicknamed the “four aces of Brittany” and their statues, created by French artist Annick Leroy proudly throne in the city centre of Carhaix in Finistère. They are the four winners of the Tour de France from Brittany. In a chronological order: Lucien Petit-Breton, Jean Robic, Louison Bobet and Bernard Hinault. The four of them have collected eleven victories and that represents a little over 30% of the total of French victories on La Grande Boucle.
Number of riders from Brittany having worn the Yellow Jersey.
It didn’t exist when Lucien Petit-Breton triumphed in 1907 and 1908
Number of stages won by riders from Brittany.
Top three: Bernard Hinault (28), René Le Grevès (16), Louison Bobet (11). The last of which was Warren Barguil winner of two stages in 2017
Number of riders from Brittany
having won at least one stage
Number of riders from Brittany
having taken part in the Tour de France
Record number of riders from Brittany
registered in the 1958 Tour de France. Since the 3rd edition in 1905, there has always been at least one Britton at the start
Number of Grand Départ in Brittany
including four in Brest (1952, 1974, 2008 and 2021), one in Rennes (1964), Plumelec (1985) and Saint-Brieuc (1995)
Number of stage cities to date in Brittany
of which Landerneau and Pontivy will be added in 2021
"We are proud in Brittany to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France.
We love popular festivities, we love what gathers people together and we love cycling. Everything will therefore be united as soon as the first day in Brest and the following days on the roads of our departments to show the best of Brittany: our wonderful landscapes, smiles on the side of the roads and passion on bicycles, our pleasure of welcoming in our towns and our businesses."
LOÏG CHESNAIS-GIRARD
President of the Conseil régional de Bretagne
