To any/all of those reading this who are either French or feel a connection to France, I absolutely love les trois premières semaines du mois de juillet: Le Tour de France! What a stroke of genius over 100 years ago for a sporting event that captures the heart of the world and displays the amazing cities and countryside of France. How could you not want to visit every ville along the route? I will be a bit sad tomorrow knowing that the broadcasts from France are over until next year.
All there is left to say is: "Merci, le Tour!" "Merci, Henri Desgrange!"
Hi Genie - yes I'm with you - here in Australia I need to be up in the middle of the night to watch Le Tour 10pm - 2am eek!! - but I haven't missed a stage. We get to see the most gorgeous scenery, beautiful little villages and those lovely paddock displays by the farmers. It's like free wheeling round France. Love it.
ReplyDeleteDainne xx
travel in the world this is my idea, congratulations for the photo blog
ReplyDeleteMe too! I love all the fabulous views of areas of France that one might not visit on a "normal" trip. And you get to watch a great bike race to boot! What will I do with myself this evening? Well, will probably be a little more productive, but it won't be as much fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteI loathe to admit that I'm not a follower but I will next year I promise!! The winner was pretty cute though, saw him on Jilly's blog. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was the first year I've followed the Tour, although I was late joining because I didn't even realize it was being shown in the US. Though not really interested in the race at the beginning, I found myself getting wrapped up in it and by the end was cheering on several riders. I still don't understand how one can win the race without winning even one stage.
ReplyDeleteStarman -- and after you figure that out you still have the "young rider," "king of the mountain," "the green jersey," and the team win. It is confusing but plan on watching next year as Andy Schlek goes up against Contador. Frank Schlek will be back and they will be looking for a win. I do love the countryside, the castles, the spectators, etc...
ReplyDeleteVirginia -- It is fabulous to see Paris from above and the bird's eye view of the places you know so well
Holly -- we almost saw it in person one year, n'est-ce pas?
Elettra -- Thank you for visiting. Tornate presto per favore.
Dianne -- I agree wholeheartedly! How about the scene which from above looks like a formation (of people) in the shape of a bicycle with the wheels turning!! In USA we get the live broadcase and then the rebroadcast starts immediately. So if you want to watch the ending again or missed a section you can just about guess when it will be on.
From what I understand le Tour is broadcast to about 180 countries world-wide.
Yeah, Henri had a great idea! I still love it when they go through Paris at the end of the race—it's (strangely) not anticlimactic.
ReplyDeleteAh Le Tour! C’est quelque chose! I feel like I have been in France after watching it live for 3 hours every day for 3 weeks. There are so many little towns that I don’t know and will never visit. I have decided that next spring, after the stages of the tour are announce in October, I’ll go to at least 3 of the main towns where the tour will finish, rent a car, and drive on the roads that they will use. This way next year I’ll recognize the little towns better. I have already booked my passage back to the US on a transat ship (this to celebrate coming to this country on a ship so many years ago.)
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