France is undoubtedly the European destination for cyclists. And, in a few days for the next three weeks the whole nation will become absorbed once again in what must surely be one of the most internationally prestigious and high profile annual sporting events to take place in France. Yes, it is Tour de France time.

On Saturday 3 July 2010 the 22 teams of 9 individuals that make up the 97th Tour de France will leave the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The race then ends, as usual, on the Champs Elysées in the afternoon of 25 July 2010.

During the intervening three weeks nearly 200 cyclists and literally thousands of support people will travel the chosen route of this year’s Tour. The various administrative Departments that make up France bid annually to have their region included on the route. Those Departments that can afford it get to host a stage of the Tour.

For anyone coming to France over the next three weeks and hoping to catch at least a glimpse of the cyclists and part of the Tour should take a look at the official website (in French, English, German and Spanish) for the complete route. Those Francophiles not able to get to France could always follow the Tour on the television. Coverage of the Tour is very good, and not just because of the excitement of each stage and the final finish. Given the different and various parts of France the Tour passes through, TV coverage is the armchair-Francophile’s dream.

Photo courtesy of Garmin.