Was going to set this as new thread but it belongs here to add to "atmosphere"
Yesterday - the Tour set off from Lisieux in Normandy - in the Pays d'Auge heartland. (Normandy is a fave of ours...)
Town's described as "bustling market town and known for its association with Sainte Therese. The town has been preparing for "Jour J" for a while (French version of D-Day
) They expected 60,000 in the town itself (think it was much more.. from the telly)
and 120,000 were expected to line the roads on the outskirts (I think even more did..from the telly) France 3 were in town - and we were part of the 200 million workd wide watching
The Tour covers 3600 km and passes through 550 communes with 36 selected as departure and arrival stages. As those in London know ..from the stage set there next year .. villages, towns and cities campaign fiercely for the honour to be chosen and Lisieux welcomed the Tour twice before and they had three years of campaigning for a third inclusion. The Maire Bernard Aubril is a keeny cyclist and active member of the Lisieux Cycling Club. He says
Quote:
Bof! Le Tour! - it represents one of the last great human adventures - with its speed , its exploits and its heroes
Hosting this event has cost Lisieux 100,000 Euros but he reckons it's worth every cent.
Quote:
I want everyone - the visitors and TV crews to gain an impression of a dynamic town - full of flowers, well maintained, a place which is good to live, work and set up a business. We want people to come back to Lisieux for a longer visit.
To this aim - the parks and gardens staff have put in several hours of overtime to ensure the town's gardens reflect the theme of cycling. They have tried to tell the history of the bicycle in flowers.
A giant replica of the first bike ever made is the show piece.
It is a matter of "honour" and each town staging departure and arrival will be judged by the organisers.
Per a press article on prepartion - 11,000 barriers were erected in the town and giant TV screens were set up so people could see the event.
Apart from the 21 teams of riders - 4500 people are involved in the admin of this event - organisers, media, PR, medics, technicians , three Italian chef
, and 2,200 CARS!
In addition there are 45 outriders on MOTORBIKES
.. 13,000 gendarmes, and 9,000 policemen in CARS
and 3000 employees form the Ministere de LEquipement.
That's some payroll!
The circuit of the town did include a bumpy ride over the town's cobbles before heading off into the countryside where the area's cheese is made and a hill climb.
The article concluded that Lisieux continued to party with a free concert and a lot of dancing in the town square.