Tour de France 100th

The railings of the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris will play host to selection of 80 photos that recount the history of the Tour de France, to celebrate its 100th edition. The series of images pays homage to the riders, but the spectators and especially the landscapes are just as important elements of the event.

It captures the emotion and evolution of the world’s biggest cycling race from the first event in 1903 - appropriately won by handle-bar moustachioed Maurice Garin – to the current day.  The Tour has been held every year with the exception of the world war years.
This exhibition comprises more than 60 photos – ranging from early black and white images of charming towns thronged with spectators who’d journeyed by horse and cart, to the streaking colour blur of contemporary sprinters. There are famous faces, like five times Tour winner Bernaud Hinault.

Photo: Five-time Tour winner Bernard Hinault enjoys the exhibition with Paris-Roubaix winner Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle. (James Startt)