Tuscany is getting ready for the Tour de France, the prestigious cycling race now in its 111th edition that for the first time will start from Italy and specifically from Florence.
The Italian “Grand Départ” will consist of three stages that will take the caravan of cyclists on the roads of Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont, before reaching France.
On Saturday, June 29, participants will begin their ride from the Cascine Park in Florence, where the base of operations will be set up, for a non-competitive route that will take them parading under the city’s most famous monuments. Arriving in Piazza della Signoria, they will stop for a brief institutional ceremony, to then set off again and cross Ponte Vecchio, heading toward Piazzale Michelangelo and from here continuing to Piazza Gino Bartali, not far from the Cycling Museum in Ponte a Ema dedicated to the great champion. The competitive race will start just outside the city limits, where the official start will be given.
The route of the first stage will cross the territories of Bagno a Ripoli, Pontassieve, Pelago, Rufina, Dicomano, San Godenzo – to then leave Tuscany and head toward the finish line in Rimini.
Two days before the departure, on Thursday, 27, Florence will also host the presentation of the teams, an event that will involve different places of the city, including Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo, scene of a great show worldwide broadcast.
In this section, you will find some special proposals including accommodation offers, experiences, packages, tours and events to best experience the excitement and the atmosphere of the “Grande Boucle” in Tuscany.
