Welcome to Chartres, a cycling city!
Chartres and cycling share a long-standing and deeply rooted history. It was indeed a native of Chartres, Géo Lefèvre, who came up with the idea for the Tour de France in 1903, laying the foundations for what would become the world’s greatest cycling race. This heritage is a source of pride for our city and has firmly established its connection with cycling in the history of the sport itself.
Today, this connection can be seen both in the daily lives of local residents and in the city’s ability to host major sporting events open to all.
A key stop along the Véloscénie, the cycle route linking Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel, Chartres welcomes thousands of cycling tourists from France and around the world every year. With its UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral, rich local heritage and high-quality services for visitors, our city is a destination in its own right for cycling enthusiasts.
The Chartres area also benefits from a particularly dynamic network of cycling clubs and associations. Road cycling, cyclo-cross, track cycling, BMX Racing, mountain biking and leisure cycling clubs all play an essential role through competitions, rides, introductory activities and awareness initiatives. Throughout the year, their leaders, coaches and dedicated volunteers pass on their passion for cycling to every generation, sharing the values at the heart of the sport: effort, self-improvement, team spirit and a sense of community.
Hosting the start of Paris-Tours is a natural extension of this dynamic and of our commitment to promoting cycling in all its forms over the long term.
The City of Chartres is delighted to support this internationally renowned event and warmly welcomes all the riders, teams, organisers, partners and spectators to this new edition, celebrating sport, sharing and emotion.
Ladislas Vergne
Mayor of Chartres, President of Chartres Métropole
Frédéric Guincêtre
Deputy Mayor in charge of Sports and Community Life
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