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Stay for the...
The Scenery and Culture
Watch the Tour de France for the scenery, and my god what scenery you’ll get to see. Get emotional over the fields of sunflowers. Take a shining to the many lingering helicopter shots of castles and ancient villages. Become enamored with the many small pastoral towns the peloton zips through. Fall in love with the Pyrenees. Even a relatively dull stage is still a sight to behold.
The Food
Fans every year have a blast procuring delicacies from the various regions of France highlighted in the Tour to eat and drink at home. (French tourism boards: we are listening if you want to sponsor us!) If you want to up your Tour participation, Nico Roche of the World Feed commentary team does daily recommendations of local cuisines and wines but don’t feel limited –– France isn’t famous for its gastronomy for nothing.
The Heartwarming Stories
Every year, there will be at least a couple stages where some guy wins and it’s absolute emotional opera. Think:
- First stage win in a veteran career,
- Guys who have come back from injury who never thought they’d win again,
- People honoring teammates and loved ones passed away,
- People winning in front of their hometown crowds,
- Breaks with unlikely alliances that win by the absolute skin of their teeth.
Don’t worry –– the commentators will let you know when this is happening. And yes, it’s ok to tear up.