Map: Does this year’s Tour de France pass through a town near you?

The Tour de France begins today (Friday July 1), kicking off in Copenhagen and ending over three weeks later in Paris on July 24.

The route passes through nine new towns and cities, including five in Denmark, one in Switzerland and three in France. These are:

• Copenhagen (Denmark)

• Roskilde (Denmark)

• Nyborg (Denmark)

• Vejle (Denmark)

• Sønderborg (Denmark)

• Aigle (Switzerland)

• Castelnau-Magnoac (Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie)

• Lacapelle-Marival (Lot, Occitanie)

• Rocamadour (Lot, Occitanie)

You can see the full map of the route below, including the dates the riders will pass through the different places.

Credit: A.S.O.

Attending the Tour de France

The Tour de France is free access unless you want to buy a VIP experience that can include riding in official Tour de France cars or a helicopter ride above the race.

Otherwise, you can pick a spot you like along the route and wait for the riders to come.

The Tour de France’s official website has all the information about each stage, including when the caravan will pass different points – the caravan precedes the riders by around one hour. It is a string of vehicles advertising different products. They usually throw goodies into the crowd.

After clicking on the link above, choose the stage that you wish to attend and then scroll down until you see “time schedule” (as shown in image below).

Credit: Screenshot / Tour de France

You can also download the official Tour de France phone application for more information.

Be aware that you may have to find a spot early before the crowds get too dense, and then you may have to wait for several hours before seeing any action. It is best to bring appropriate clothes and/or sun cream if necessary. You may also want to consider taking a picnic.

You are encouraged to cheer on the riders but be very conscious about staying out their way. Do not encroach onto the road when they are passing.

In last year’s race a woman stepped onto the road to hold up a sign for her grandparents and ended up causing a huge crash. She was fined €1,200.

Read more: Fan who caused rider pile-up at Tour de France given €1,200 fine

The best place to interact with the riders is at the departure places. They are more likely to be willing to sign autographs or say hello there.

For more information about the race, see the Tour’s official website here.

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