The Tour De France à La Voile: The Nautical Rendezvous Of July.
The Tour de France à la voile, organized every year during the month of July, is a benchmark event in offshore racing. This event, which benefits from extensive international media coverage, is a great promotion for crewed racing. It is also one of the major sporting events of the summer and an opportunity for a big popular celebration.
Introduction to this race
The Tour de France à la voile is a sailing race organized every year during the month of July.
The race connects the English Channel and the Côte d'Azur in about ten stages in French seaside resorts. The Tour takes place over a period of approximately 4 weeks, along the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The race includes connecting routes between the stages as well as "banana" courses, which are short regattas where competitors go around buoys several times.
History of this race
The Tour de France à la voile, created in 1978, has as its fundamental rule that all crews sail on the same type of boat, so that only the quality of the crew separates the competitors.
As technological progress has been made, different types of sailboats have participated in this sailing race: Écume de mer, First 30, Rush Royale, Sélection 37 and JOD 35.
This race has gradually become professionalized, with the participation of solo sailors like Florence Arthaud and Loïck Peyron, and the most famous skippers from the America's Cup, notably Russell Coutts.
It is estimated that this event has seen over 20,000 people sail since its creation.
A large popular celebration
The passage of the Tour de France à la voile is an opportunity to organize a big popular party in each stage city.
For two to three days, animations accompany this sporting event during the day and at night.
The free and open to all Village Animation offers sports activities, educational activities and spaces for the promotion of partners.
This year, the city of Nice will host the Grand Arrival of the Tour de France à la Voile on July 25, 26 and 27, 2014. On the program: a Stand-up paddle relay and a grand nautical parade!
And to attend the festivities in style, discover the official range of Tour de France à la Voile branded Clothing for men and women (jacket, polo shirt, bag, cap) from the brand Musto. These products are only available at the Tour village, in the official shop managed by Musto.
The steps.
Saint-Quay-Portrieux: From June 30th to July 2nd
Brest: From July 3rd to July 6th
Lorient: From July 6th to July 8th
Quiberon: From July 8th to July 10th
Pornichet: From July 11th to July 13th
La Rochelle: From July 14th to July 16th
