Florence’s ‘Grand Départ’ of the Tour de France

A vintage ‘Masi’ racing bike on display next to Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Tour de France, the world-renowned bicycle race, will begin in Italy this summer for the first time since it began in 1903. On June 29, the city of Florence will be the official starting point for the race as the 22 teams, each composed of eight riders, take part in the Grand Départ. After leaving Cascine Park at noon to bike through the city, the racers will officially commence their journey after a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Piazza della Signoria.

Tour de France usually begins outside of France, aiming to increase international interest in the race. Originally created as a publicity stunt to bring attention to French newspaper L’Auto, the Tour de France has only grown in popularity over the years. 

Over the course of 23 days, racers will cross through Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France, finally finishing on July 21 in Nice, in the south of France. The first stage of the race will be from Florence to Rimini, a coastal city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, and will take competitors on a challenging climb through the scenic Apennine mountain range. The race comprises 21 stages, of various terrains with only two days of rest offered. It is a race of utmost difficulty and standard; the closest winning margin of all time was just eight seconds in 1989. The yellow jersey, which has become symbolic of the race and is currently hanging in Piazza della Repubblica, highlights the racer in first place by the end of each day.

The local organizing committee states that “It’s an honour to host the Tour de France’s Grand Départ and to be able to showcase Florence and Emilia-Romagna, as well as Turin and Piedmont, to sports enthusiasts from all over the world”.

Florence will be hosting a series of events throughout the city leading up to the beginning of the race in celebration of this historic moment in Italian sporting history. From the “fan park” which will appear in Piazza Santa Croce, to free admission to the Gino Bartali Cycling Museum throughout the second half of June, the city promises everyone the opportunity to celebrate the joy of cycling, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a casual bicycle commuter.

Gino Bartali, the Bartali museum’s namesake, was born in Ponte a Ema near Florence and became a renowned Italian cyclist during the 20th century. In addition to claiming three victories at the Giro d’Italia, Bartali also took first place at the Tour de France twice: once in 1938, and again a decade later in 1948. Until June 30, the Bartali Cycling Museum, via Chiantigiana 177 will offer free admission to view exhibits dedicated to Bartali’s storied cycling career. From June 21 to 30, the museum will also offer educational workshops for children and guided bicycle tours of the city to youth and adults. More information, including museum hours, can be found here.

On June 27, the 2024 Tour de France athletes will be introduced in a ceremony beginning at the Palazzo Vecchio at 6:30 pm, pedaling to finish the presentation at Piazzale Michelangelo. 

The French Institute of Florence will transform the Piazza Ognissanti into a temporary cinema space for each evening between June 25 to June 28. The Institute is showing French films which relate to the theme of cycling: Les Triplettes de Belleville at 9.30 pm on Tuesday 25, Wonderful Losers: a Different World, at 9 pm on the Wednesday 26, Totò al giro d’Italia, at 9 pm on Thursday 27 and La Grande boucle at 9.30 pm on Friday 28. The day before the Grand Départ, Saturday 28th, will see the event move to the Piazzale degli Uffizi for a showing of Jour de fête at 9.45 pm. The programme also includes a special event entitled, Tour de France Promessa e supplizio, which features various photographs and historical items, as an homage to the seven Italian cyclists who have previously won the Tour de France, based in Sant’Orsola. 

Palazzo Medici Riccardi (Galleria delle Carrozze) is hosting an exhibition of racing bicycles created in Florentine workshops between the 1950s and 197os (hours 10 am – 6 pm, closed Wednesday, free admission) from a private collection.

Between June 25 and 30, access to certain streets and areas of the city may be restricted due to preparations for the race. A full map of each day’s planned interruptions to vehicle and pedestrian traffic can be viewed on the city of Florence’s official website. The most significant interruptions are listed below.

  • On June 25, traffic will be closed on Via Antonio Magliabechi between Corso dei Tintori and Piazza Santa Croce.
  • On June 26 and 27, traffic will be closed on Viale Galileo between Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazzale Galileo. On June 27, traffic will also be closed on Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Firenze and Borgo Santa Croce.
  • On June 28 and 29, Cascine Park and the entire surrounding area will be closed to traffic.

Those interested in watching the women’s edition of Tour de France, will be glad to know that Tour de France Femmes made a return in 2022 and will have its Grand Départ in Rotterdam this year on August 12. It is an eight day event sandwiched between the closing of the Olympic Games and the opening of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  (Tara Monastesse & Lucy Turner)