tour de france caravan

Official games

2023 Edition

• Stage winners
• All the videos

Tour Culture

• Commitments
• key figures
• Sporting Stakes
• "Maillot Jaune" Collection
• The jerseys

The publicity caravan

A show for children and adults alike.

Since 1930 , "la Caravane pulicitaire" has been part of the show that the Tour de France puts on. This festive and creative opening parade precedes the pack of cyclists to the utmost delight of Tour de France fans lining the roadsides. For two hours , the Tour de France and its partners put on a show, hand out many gifts and strive to be the most creative to surprise the millions of fans wating for the riders to pass by!

A responsible Caravan

All the partners distribute promotional gifts that are useful and made of recycled and/or recyclable materials. Food gifts have also met the challenge of having packaging mainly made of paper or recyclable plastic. In certain “Natura 2000” nature protection areas, national parks or nature reserves, etc., distribution of gifts by the caravan is completely forbidden. Sound equipment may be turned off so as not to disturb sensitive animal species.

Follow the Caravan on the social networks also !

"La Caravane du Tour de France", in a few words: 

• A continuous show lasting more than 30 minutes
• A show stretching 10 km
• 30 brands represented
• 4 safety information cars at the front and rear of the Caravan
• 12 republican guard riders and 4 dispatch bikers to control the Caravan
• 3 medical vehicles…

Watch the caravan go by and cheer on your favourite riders but do not forget the essential safety rules!

• Stay on the roadside and off the road
• Do not cross the road and do not leave your children unattended
• Gifts are distributed on either side of the road
• Remain watchful after the caravan passes by, other vehicles will be coming along the route
• Respect the Tour's eco-responsible commitments and do not drop litter on the roadside
• Do not run alongside the riders and do not push them
• Selfies and autographs are not authorised

  Memories of what you have seen are good enough to make sure that the Tour stays fun!

Accreditations

Privacy policy, your gdpr rights.

Gallery: A look at the Tour de France publicity caravan

Not everyone is mainly here for the racing

This article originally published on BikeRadar

The Tour de France is first and foremost cycling's biggest and most prestigious stage race in the world but preceding the peloton from start to finish is another spectacle: the publicity caravan. Consisting of dozens of elaborately crafted specialty vehicles and taking nearly an hour to pass, it's a daily parade – and a parade of advertising and small giveaways – that, according to the Tour de France, is actually the main draw for nearly 40 percent of spectators on hand.

Take a look at some of the elements that bring all those people in. The Tour de France may be a bicycle race but for at least a portion of the folks at roadside, the peloton is merely a sideshow.

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Following the Tour de France in a motorhome: 2024 Planning tips and advice

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**Updated to include Tour de France 2024 route. Note that July in France will be even busier in 2024 as Paris is hosting the Olympics. Any bookings should be made well in advance.**

Each year, the Tour de France makes its grand départ – usually from France, Belgium or Spain – in July. It signals the start of the largest and most well-known cycling race in the world. While cycling fans from all over the world descend upon France in their thousands, ready to watch their favourite riders, following the Tour de France in a motorhome has become one of the coolest ways to see the event. Mixing the slow pace of motorhome travel with the fast and furious – sometimes crazy – pace of the road races creates a vibe around the event like no other.

Follow our guide, which is full of great tips and hints, so you can make the most of your motorhome trip and see the best the Tour de France has to offer.

Our tip : If you are considering hiring a motorhome to follow the tour, you must get in very early. This is the peak summer season in Europe, and motorhome hire books out well in advance. We use and recommend Anywhere Campers .

• General information about the tour

Apart from the two world wars, it has run each year, predominantly in France since 1903. The race continued, even through the pandemic years of 2020-2021, although it took place in August, not July, for the first time since World War Two. The world’s best cyclists come to the Tour de France to show their skills and plenty of grit, determination and stamina over a torrid course covering several weeks.

From time trials to tortuous mountain climbs and brutal sprints, the riders participate in 21 stages across 23 days.  Those who make it to the end at the Champs-Élysées, the jewel in the crown of the Tour de France, will have ridden around 3,404 kilometres (2,115 miles).  In anyone’s language, that is a herculean effort. 

Taking place mostly in July each year, the various stages weave through the beautiful French countryside, small villages and towns.  Occasionally, they are in or close to some big cities, but the beauty of regional France is usually at the forefront. 

The tour sometimes pops into other countries, with six out of the last ten years commencing in countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and even the United Kingdom. In 2023, the tour started in Spain and in 2024, it is heading to Italy.

Following the tour in a motorhome – tips and hints

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Even if you aren’t a Tour de France or cycling fan, seeing the event unfold on television can make you want to visit France in a heartbeat. Aside from the country’s pure beauty, the tour creates a carnival atmosphere in the towns it passes through.  The towns celebrate the tour, encouraging visitors to come and spend time with them.  Sometimes, depending on the area, it shuts the town down for a while when the Tour de France rolls through.  

The Tour de France publicity caravan is quite a spectacle to behold. Its entourage includes many decorated vehicles, and it runs ahead of the tour, whipping the crowd into a party mood and handing out promotional material. You can only truly witness it if you are there.  We loved seeing it come through Paris and up the Champs-Élysées.

One of the best ways to follow the Tour de France is by hiring a motorhome and creating your own itinerary that follows the stages of the race that you are interested in.  There is plenty to think about, but at the same time, it also doesn’t need to be over-planned.  Following the tour can still allow you to travel slowly and go where the road takes you, as those who love motorhoming know and love.

I spoke to Dino, a motorhome and tour fan, to get some insight into life on the road following the Tour de France.  His journey in saw him hit the French roads with two of his friends, keen to enjoy the race and see some of what France had to offer.

So, don’t just take it from me. These are his reasons why you should hire a motorhome in France (or tag along in your own) and follow the tour.  Each year, approximately 10,000 motorhomes participate in this event, and over ten million spectators watch along the way, so we’ve also included some great tips for making the most of your motorhome holiday.

What made you decide to hire a motorhome and follow the Tour de France?

“We were three middle-aged men in a motorhome, only one of whom (Peter) had done some camping, let alone motorhoming.  It was Peter’s suggestion we do this, principally to see the French countryside because every year he’d watch the tour on television and drool at its beauty.

I have been a cycling fan for a long time, having been a very competitive cyclist until recently, and I would watch Le Tour with my daughter.   She too, competed at a very high level, having raced for Australia. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to go.

Our third member was Frank, who was neither a cyclist nor a Le Tour fan, but he is one of those great guys you love to have around who loves life.  He’s also a great cook and would create magic meals even within the confines of the motorhome.”

Did you stay in the campgrounds every night? 

“No, we didn’t stay in any campgrounds.  We wanted the flexibility of staying wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted.  We didn’t want to be tied into being at a certain pre-booked campground on a certain day. We wild camped and made use of the France Passion network.”

More reading >> Read our guide to learn more about the France Passion network for motorhome stopovers

Did you have time for other sightseeing?

“We only caught 5-6 stages of the tour, which is plenty.  For the mountain stages, you need to get there 2-3 days beforehand anyway. We did plenty of sightseeing.”

Were you often stuck in traffic jams on the roads?

“Never. It’s amazing how quickly it clears out after the last bike passes.  The mountain stages with only one road up and down are busier. On Mt Tourmelat we stayed the extra night and drove off the mountain the next morning.”

What’s the atmosphere like?

“I cannot describe the atmosphere. Whatever I say would not do it justice.  It’s simply amazing. Everybody is very welcoming and friendly.  People will help you in any way they can, such as suggesting where to park and where to see the race.”

Can you set up outside your motorhome to watch the event?

“It depends on where you are.  The high mountains have very narrow roads, so you can’t park roadside.  We parked in a paddock and then walked to the roadside with our picnic chairs and table.”

Did anything surprise you about the trip?

“It exceeded my expectations and then some.”

Would you follow the Tour de France in a motorhome again?

“Yes, absolutely.”

Doing a road trip in a motorhome for the first time? Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your road trip, provided by Dino.

• Just do it!
• Check whether your motorhome has an inverter and decide whether you want one.  We didn’t have one and needed it since we wild camped so much and couldn’t plug into mains power.  The battery only lasts so long when you are stopped for long periods of time.
• Have some spare hose connector fittings for the motorhome’s water inlet hose.  They are such an easy thing to leave connected to the water tap after you have finished filling up.  Also, we found that at different locations, the sizes of the taps were different which made things a little tricky as well.  Fortunately, there were often fellow motorhome travellers around us who were more than happy to help out.
• Paper maps are good to have as well as GPS and Google Maps.
• The backroads and scenic routes are the way to go and we tried to incorporate as many of these into our trip, even if it meant driving in the wrong direction to where we would ultimately want to be.  The Back Roads France  is a great book to buy and have with you. It’s not the most current but it’s still worthwhile.
• Learn some basic French; it helps but is not essential.  I speak French at an intermediate level, which is helpful.
• Get a portable BBQ or grill with a bag of charcoal.
• If you are precious about the coffee you drink, buy a stove-top espresso coffee machine and make your own.
• In my opinion, the food in cafes and restaurants in France is overrated.  Go to the markets, buy fresh and cook it yourself.  It’s a great experience and saves you money.

Editors note – Lots of great tips in there, thanks Dino. We certainly agree with the need for an inverter .  We’ve been using one for many years when we hire a motorhome in Europe and couldn’t do without it. We also have a huge one in our motorhome back home in Australia.

Love the portable BBQ idea.  We cook onboard a lot, but it does get a bit messy sometimes.  We have a small portable gas stove for use outside when we travel. They are great also.  If you don’t like gas, induction cooktops come in a portable version too.

It’s a shame French cafe food hasn’t inspired you, as it’s one of our favourite world cuisines.  However, we do agree that not all cafes and restaurants are created equal, and you need to sift through them all and do your research to find the good ones.  Sometimes, in really small locations, it’s not always possible.  We love the markets and we buy from local markets every day when we are on the road.

Click on the links below for our videos and recipes for easy motorhome meals we’ve made and you can make yourself

How to make quiche lorraine in a motorhome

Our version of potato dauphinoise – easy to make in a motorhome

• Download the official Tour de France app to help you plan.
• Decide early which stages you want to see and where they are located.
• Do your research to work out if you need a crit air sticker for your vehicle. The TdF route might take you into cities that have requirements for their low-emission zones. Read our comprehensive guide on crit air stickers here .
• Plan your route well in advance and choose locations you are comfortable with. For example, if you are worried about driving in the mountains, these stages might not be right for you.
• Expect there to be crowds everywhere. Plan your arrival and departure times well.
• For a different perspective, try to see at least one starting and finishing stage and don’t forget the mountain climbs and finishes.
• Do not attempt to drive right into the towns at the centre of the stages, or you might get stuck.  Park out from the towns and walk/ride in.
• You will need clothing for all types of weather. 
• The time to travel on French roads, particularly the back roads or the mountains, should not be underestimated.   Roads can be narrow, not well sealed, winding, and in a large motorhome, travel is always much slower.  Allow time to drive, stop in at places along the way and appreciate the scenery. Read our guide on French driving tips and road rules.
• Before pulling up, stock the motorhome with fresh water and food/beverages. Once you are parked, you can’t move (or it’s not easy to move) until the stage has passed.
• Keep an eye on your waste and know where the dump stations are so you won’t get caught while parked.
• Always be mindful of other drivers on the roads and when you are looking for somewhere to park to watch the tour.
• Remember to look after your motorhome when parking, especially when reversing or parking in a tight spot.  There are bound to be areas where you park that will be offroad, so also watch out for rocks and low banks.  Use a spotter to be on the safe side.  Read how to keep you and your motorhome safe .
• Keep your motorhome locked up and secure when you are not in attendance. Even though you might think you are safe in a crowd, it’s also the perfect diversion for someone to get into your vehicle.
• The Tour de France rest days are a great opportunity to park up and spend more time in one place.  
• Spend money locally; they will love you for it.
• Have some wet weather equipment available, as well as a hat and sunscreen.
• If you are hiring a motorhome, especially for the first time, plan to pick it up before the tour starts in order to acquaint yourself with the vehicle and the roads.  If you have flown in on a long-haul flight, it’s also good advice to give yourself time to re-adjust to your new surroundings and time zone.
• Hire or have bicycles.  They are a must on our list of things to have in a motorhome.  When following the tour, you can trace the cyclists’ paths or use them to get into the smaller towns.
• If you are staying at campgrounds, especially at the start and finish, booking early is a must.

Extra tip for the mountain stages

Watching the mountain stages is a must-do!  These are very popular, especially the signature climbs like Alpes-D’Huez, Ventoux and Tourmalet, and they often have these stages on the weekend, so the locals aren’t working and join all the tourists, making it very, very crowded.

Get there early. The Mt Tourmalet stage was on Saturday afternoon. We got onto the mountain Thursday afternoon, and it was already busy with all roadside spots taken.  By Friday, the whole mountain was full. By Saturday, the mountain was closed.

Planning a motorhome European itinerary?  Read our planning tips

Motorhome stopovers in France

Motorhome touring in France is openly welcomed, and finding a stopover is easy. Motorhome travellers are spoiled for choice in France, with a range of options for overnight parking spots.

Campgrounds

There are thousands of official campgrounds found all over France.  They offer a safe place to stay with facilities such as electricity, showers/toilets, water and dump stations.  Ranging from one-star to five-star, additional services can include washing and drying facilities, wifi, convenience stores, playgrounds, inclusion for pets, etc.  All will charge commercial rates for these sites and will vary depending on the time of year, location and facilities offered.

If you plan on staying in campgrounds during the Tour de France period, it is highly recommended to book well in advance.  Campground sites book up early and fast with so many motorhomes following the tour.  This is particularly true for the areas around the starting and finishing stages immediately.

Tip: If you plan to be in Paris for the final stage on the Champs-Élysées, we recommend the campground, Camping de Paris , at Bois de Boulogne.  We’ve been staying here when we visit Paris since 1997, and while it has changed owners a few times, it’s the best campground near Paris for motorhomes, and it has excellent connections to public transport.

Key features:

• Extensive motorhome site and campground very close to the centre of Paris
• Open 365 days a year 
• Located in a huge expanse of natural parkland with campsite access to the River Seine
• Many facilities blocks are scattered throughout the campground to cater for large numbers of visitors.  Facilities include hairdryers, family bathrooms and heating.
• Wifi in reception and bar
• Convenience store (includes delivery of fresh bread and croissants if ordered the day before) *
• Bar and cafe on site
• Bikes and barbeques for hire during the summer period
• Free shuttle to Porte Maillot in Paris centre.

Location: 2 Allée du Bord de l’Eau 75016 Paris

For a list of almost 10,000 campgrounds, go to Camping France .

Aires de Service

Aires de Service locations in France provide some basic services for motorhomes, like electricity, water and dump stations.  Not all aires have all the facilities. For example, some may only have electricity and water, but no waste dumping is possible.  Others provide a small number of spaces for motorhome parking during the day, while some allow overnight stays for up to 24 hours.  Services will attract a small fee.  Parking and overnight parking may also attract a fee but are usually offered free of charge.

More reading >> Read our detailed guide on  Aires de Service in France

France Passion

This is our favourite part of driving through France in a motorhome.  We love staying as local as possible and buying directly from the owners and farmers.  We’ve always managed to find some incredible spots to stay.  If you love camping a little more freely, love mixing with locals and even want to save some money, France Passion is the perfect option when looking for somewhere to stay in a motorhome. 

Staying at a France Passion location is free and without obligation. Bookings are not required.

More reading >> Read our comprehensive guide on France Passion and why we highly recommend wild camping for motorhomes and using the France Passion network in the south-west of France .

HomeCamper is a little similar to France Passion.  Here, anyone can put their piece of land that they have available up for rent.  A homeowner might have a spot in their back yard or a  farmer might have space on their property, for example.  The key difference here is that they will usually have some services on offer (water, electricity) but will also charge a nominal fee to cover the use of such services.  Bookings must also be made online.

Wild camping

This is also one of our favourite things to do.  Wild camping , or staying somewhere that is not a dedicated campground or area to stay is legal in most parts of France.  It’s not possible in large cities, and in some, like the French Riviera, it’s expressly forbidden, but elsewhere in France, opportunities abound.

Find a nice spot on the side of a road near a lake or river and pull up for the night.  Just be respectful of the area around you, always take your rubbish, don’t drop your waste, and ensure it is in a secure location.  We don’t recommend staying at the major highway service stations as they can be unsafe.

The 2024 Tour de France starts in Florence, Italy, on Saturday, June 29. The final stage ends in Nice on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday, July 21. 

Due to the Paris Olympics in 2024, this will be the first year in the history of the Tour de France in which the final stage does not end in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. Instead, it will end in the south on the Cotes d’Azur in Nice. The route cuts through two countries, one republic and one principality: Italy, France, the Republic of San Marino and the Principality of Monaco.

Of the 39 locations that will be visited throughout the race, 12 of them have never had the tour pass through before. We have spent a lot of time in many of the locations along the route, in the motorhome, so we are excited to see them included.

Tour de France route 2024

• 29 June – Stage 1: Florence > Rimini (Italy)
• 30 June – Stage 2: Cesenatico > Bologna (Italy)
• 1 July – Stage 3: Plaisance > Turin (Italy)
• 2 July – Stage 4: Pinerolo >Valloire (re-entry into France)
• 3 July – Stage 5: Saint-Jean-Maurienne > Saint-Vulbas
• 4 July – Stage 6: Macon > Dijon
• 5 July – Stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges > Gevrey-Chambertin
• 6 July – Stage 8: Semur-En-Auxois > Colombey-Les-Deux-Eglises
• 7 July – Stage 9: Troyes
• 8 July – Rest day (Orleans)
• 9 July – Stage 10: Orleans > Saint-Amand-Montrond
• 10 July – Stage 11: Evaux Les Bains > Le Lioran
• 11 July – Stage 12: Aurillac > Villeneure-sur-Lot
• 12 July – Stage 13: Agen > Pau
• 13 July – Stage 14: Pau > Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla D’Adet
• 14 July – Stage 15: Loudenvielle > Plateau de Bielle
• 15 July – Rest day (Gruissan)
• 16 July – Stage 16: Gruissan > Nimes
• 17 July – Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux > Superdevoluy
• 18 July – Stage 18: Gap > Barcelonnette
• 19 July – Stage 19: Embrun > Isola 2000
• 20 July – Stage 20: Nice > Col de la Couillole
• 21 July – Stage 21: Monaco > Nice

You can find the map of the Tour de France cities here .

Tour de France stages 2024

• Flat – Stages 3,5,6,8,10,12,13,16
• Hills – Stages 1,2,9,18
• Mountains – Stages 4,11,14,15,17,19,20
• Time trials – Stage 7,21
• Rest days – 8 and 15 July

Tour de France tours and packages

Finally, if you aren’t in a motorhome or plan to leave it behind at some stage to pick up more of the tour in another way, it’s best to use one of the official tour operators accredited by the Tour de France.  That way, you can be sure you are dealing with authentic tour groups with a history of working with the tour.  There are cycling tours, packages that include grandstand access on final day (which I must say look amazing!)  and other related sightseeing tours.

The list of official travel agents for the Tour de France can be found here .

So you’ve decided to take this great journey to see the Tour de France, but you don’t own a motorhome. Several options are available to those who want to take a motorhome road trip.  These are the options we recommend based on personal experience and knowledge of these providers.

We use and recommend Anywhere Campers.  Other providers are around – and we have used many of them over the years – but we have hired from this company and use them exclusively when we return to France and Europe.  Why?  They are easy to work with, we know what we are going to get when we pick up the vehicle, and their one-way hire model is excellent. Their pricing is also transparent.

For this year’s Tour de France, the one-way hiring option is perfect. You can pick it up from Italy, follow the tour for as long as you like, and return it to France, for example.

More reading >> Read more about how one-way motorhome hire works and renting a one-way motorhome from Anywhere Campers .

Alternatively, if you are looking to buy a motorhome in France to travel before, during and/or after the Tour de France for an extended period of time, we also have a solution for you.  Travellers who are not residents of the EU find it hard to locate reputable sellers of motorhomes.  Buying motorhomes in France legally is also a major factor to consider.

If you plan on buying a motorhome in France, you can’t afford to miss our comprehensive guide on buying one legally. We use and recommend a reputable, French-based motorhome company owned by someone we have worked with for many years – and met! Read this before making any of the necessary decisions and before you hand over your cash!

Read now >> Buying a motorhome legally in France

• Must-ask questions before hiring a motorhome in France (or Europe)
• Tips for planning a European motorhome itinerary
• What’s inside a campervan?
• Things to pack to make your motorhome life a breeze
• Tips for picking up a hired motorhome
• Tips for motorhome safety
• Comprehensive packing guide for motorhome road trips

As mentioned, we have covered much of the ‘immediate’ ground of the locations where the Tour de France cyclists will ride in 2024. To We’ve put all of our related guides and itineraries below. to save you time searching. There are still many more on our site, so if you are spending more time in these countries, just keep searching under the ‘Motorhome’, ‘ France’, or ‘Italy’ on the main menu.

• 20 days in south-west France + France Passion stopovers
• Lot River and Lot Valley itinerary – includes Villeneuve-sur-Lot stage 12
• Things to do in Dijon in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region (Burgundy) – includes Dijon stage 6
• Burgundy 10-day itinerary (covers Dijon)
• Burgundy wine trail itinerary (in the vicinity of Dijon)
• How to spend two days in Narbonne – includes Gruissan rest day and stage 16
• Canal du Midi itinerary – close by stages 14-16
• Loire Valley canal itinerary – close by Orleans – rest day and stage 10
• Things to do in Bologna – stages 2-3
• Things to do in Cesenatico – stages 2-3
• The best things to do in the Emilia Romagna region – stages 2-3
• Things to do in the Romagna Hills – stages 2-3
• How to spend 24 hours in San Marino – stages 2-3

Book your flight:  Flights are an important part of travel and we’re always looking for the best deals. If you can travel mid-week and be flexible, you’ll often find great deals on flights. We also use  Skyscanner  and  Expedia for flight bookings. Dollar Flight Club is a great resource for getting special advance offers and even error fares directly to your inbox.

Book your accommodation:  We all love to stay in different places, from the comfort of a self-contained apartment or house to a resort or luxury hotel. Sometimes we need something quick, easy and comfortable for an overnight stay. 

We use all of the following online booking portals depending on where we want to stay and the type of accommodation we are looking for.

• VRBO and Stayz (in Australia) – great for holiday rentals of more than seven days and often have discounts for longer periods.
• Booking.com and Expedia – two of our favourites due to their cancellation and refund policies.
• Trip Advisor – perfect for getting reviews, checking availability and pricing comparisons all in one place.

Book your rental car or motorhome:  We always use  Discover Rental Cars  anywhere in the world for car hire.  Anywhere Campers  is our preferred motorhome hiring company in Europe, especially if you want to be able to pickup and drop off at different locations (even countries) in Europe. If you’d like to buy your own motorhome in France , we use and recommend  France Motorhome Sales . Use our code FMS1022 or tell John we sent you!

Book a tour:   We travel independently, but when we do book we book them with reputable companies who have a great cancellation and refund policy. If you are looking for advance tickets to an attraction, group or private tours, we use and recommend  Get Your Guide  and  Viator . Both have a great range of tours and flexible cancellation policies. If you are looking to do a food tour in Europe, we also recommend  Eating Europe Tours .

Be covered:  We always travel with  travel insurance . We did it before the pandemic and it’s even more important for us to do so now. We use Cover-More in Australia.  SafetyWing  has great rates for travellers who are away from home for extended periods. 

Be ready : Make sure you pack a few essentials: universal adaptor ,  power bank  and  noise-cancelling headphones

Many thanks to Dino for taking the time to share his experiences with us as he followed the Tour de France for the first time in a motorhome!  A special thank you to him for giving us access to his personal photos.  All images provided by Dino have been noted accordingly and are used with his permission.

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

Read more about Kerri here

4 thoughts on “Following the Tour de France in a motorhome: 2024 Planning tips and advice”

Hi Paul, are you asking for us to be your tour guides?

Take all the guess work and hassle out and we just come along with you as passengers! Can you make this happen? for the 2025 Touré de France. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary!! Mr & Mrs. Bikers Manassas Virginia USA

Hi Paul and Nikki, now that definitely sounds like the life. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and for your comments. We have driven extensively through Eastern Europe in a motorhome, bypassed Croatia as it was too hard to stay overnight at the time (but came back later under our own steam). Have a great summer!

Hi Kerri & Stirling

A fabulously interesting and informative post guys. A really great read.

We toured part of Europe in our motorhome last summer and have discussed joining the Tour de France ‘throng’ so this is so incredibly helpful. We’re heading to Croatia, Montenegro and Eastern Europe this summer so definitely one to consider for next year.

Thanks so much

Paul & Nicki

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Behind the Curtain: The Tour de France Race Caravan

article by Chris Zigmont

When watching the Tour de France it is impossible to miss the huge convoy of cars, trucks and motorcycles that accompany the racers. The Caravan with the riders has a very specific set of jobs and it looks a little confusing. Having spent many years in the caravan in the Tour and other races, I thought a little peak behind the curtain might help in understanding what is going on back there. In this article I sort out the caravan for you and hopefully it will make watching the Tour, or any road race, that much better.

The Line Up

The UCI, the governing body of cycling, has a blue-print for the race caravan that must be followed. The race organizer is allowed minimum input to adjust for local needs and changes for promotion, but generally the UCI format is what’s normally deployed. 

The Caravan is essentially split into two groups: the caravan in front of the peloton and the one behind. The procession up front is primarily there to secure the course for rider safety. It also handles breakaways and chase groups as they form.  It consists of a flotilla of police cars and motos, a couple Officials cars, a neutral service vehicle (or two), a myriad of press cars, and VIP vehicles.

The traffic jam behind the peloton consists of all of the other support vehicles. There are  two team cars per team (in a repeated duplicate caravan), race officials, a medical car and an ambulance, more press and VIP cars,  a swarm of motos that include press, TV and photo, radio tour info, a caravan director, a time board giving the riders up to the minute information on breakaways and splits, and last but not least several neutral service vehicles. In the ProTour and other top-level events every team gets two cars, while in most continental level races and below, each team gets one.

How It Works

When the race rolls off, the front caravan moves ahead a couple of minutes in advance. It is under the direction of Commissar 2, the race official second in command and the one who will monitor the racing in the breakaways as they occur.

Next, the peloton gets underway, and just behind is the fleet of vehicles in tow. They are under the direction of the “ President of the Jury ” or Commissar 1 and the race director who is normally the race organizer.  In the Tour this is Christian Prudhomme . He runs the race while the UCI Chief is the referee and rules maker.

The Team cars meanwhile are there to provide feed, mechanical assistance and tactical direction to the riders as needed. They may,  upon request to the Chief, come to the back of the peloton and hand up bottles to the riders after a rider request has been made. The caravan always drives on the right, keeping the left clear for cars and motos moving up.  After a service or a feed, a team car moves to the far right to slide back to its position.  If a rider punctures or has a mechanical, the team car normally charges up the left, cuts across the medical car and services his rider on the right hand side. Typically, the team car will linger to be sure that their rider is underway. The rules dictate that a rider can use the cars in the caravan and draft his way back up to the peloton.  With a long caravan like the one in the Tour, riders usually have little trouble getting back on. Occasionally when there is a prolonged stop and the caravan has all passed, due to a bike swap or a significant mechanical, team directors will go outside of the rules and draft, “Speed bottle” or conduct a fake adjustment out the car window at speed to haul their rider back to the group. They risk up to a 300 Swiss Franc fine if they are caught, but in the big picture it is worth it.

Discipline and Safety

All of this makes the caravan a pretty treacherous place. Especially with a big peloton, the presence of many riders in the caravan at once is commonplace.

Maintaining caravan discipline is a huge undertaking and a major responsibility. While race officials are constantly watching out that vehicles are in their assigned position and not providing pacing, towing or other unfair advantages, it is safety that is of primary concern. With the race often moving at high speed (especially down mountains) and team cars moving back and forth to support riders, it can get chaotic very rapidly. Often, very difficult conditions dictate the need for nerves of steel to deal with car rally type situations.  Skimming the side of the road, especially in high mountains, takes years off of your life. Narrow mountain passes, wet or dusty roads, cobbles, strong winds, heavy rain and even snow (early spring and high in the mountains) all contribute to the reality of working in the Caravan.

Sadly the Tour has seen spectators killed by Caravan vehicles. The last was in 2000 when a young child was struck by a publicity vehicle that had moved to the side of the road to make way for a team car. While rider support may be ‘job number one ’ for the Caravan, the ever present corridor of humanity lining the roads is always the most serious concern for every vehicle driver.

Neutral Service

So what is up with Mavic neutral service cars? With so many support cars why are they needed and how does it work?  In the old days of road racing, every time there was a breakaway or a chase that gained a few dozen seconds, the team cars would do the dangerous job of passing the peloton and go forward to support their riders, then come back again to take care of the main group. This was mighty dangerous as it was occurring many, many times each race day. Imagine a break of ten with one rider each from ten teams. Ten cars moving constantly up and back. Yikes! In 1973 the then President of Mavic, Bruno Gormand, suggested one “neutral” car to service all the riders with no allegiance to any. They tried it at Paris-Nice in ’73 and it worked well. It has been used ever since.

So when a breakaway gets a steady gap of 50+ seconds, a neutral service car is dropped in from the front caravan . If there are neutral motorcycles, usually reserved for mountain days, they can go into a gap of 30+ seconds.  You will see the Commissar 2 car drop in normally when the gap has grown to around 1 minute 30 seconds.  As the races progresses and the gap grows to a safe and solid distance, the race director will allow the extra team car to come up the road and support the break.  That’s why the big races have two team cars.

When the gap comes down and the break about to be caught, they will pull the neutral service at about 30 seconds. That is a sure signal to the riders and the fans that the game is about to change.

All of the vehicles in the caravan listen to race radio , or ‘radio tour’ . Here the race situation, any caravan direction and other instructions are given to the teams and the caravan.  All of the teams at the ProTour level maintain radio contact with their riders with two way radios ( this practice is now banned at lower category races).

Voiture Balai

There are many surviving traditions at the Tour de France that originated during the very first races. First introduced in 1910, the Voiture balai (Broom Wagon or Sag Wagon in English) is without doubt the most hated vehicle in the Caravan by the riders. The Voiture balai, with a broom attached to the rear of the vehicle is normally the very last vehicle of the entire race caravan. At the Tour this can mean that it is not unusual to be an hour (or much further)  behind the head of the race. The job of this vehicle is to literally sweep up any riders who are so exhausted or injured to ride on any further.

Like a predator stalking it’s prey, the presence of this vehicle will push riders beyond their limits in order to survive another day in the race. Having the broom wagon following you is one of the most demoralizing experiences for any racer.

A Crucial Role

In modern road racing the caravan support is crucial. Races have been won and lost by well placed (or not so well placed) team cars and materiel.  Every rider’s fear is that of a puncture with 20k to go and no team car in sight. So hopefully as you watch a Tour unfold or other major race unfold, this little overview of the caravan theatrics will provide a good insight to what’s going on behind the curtain.

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Caravane Publicitaire: The Other Tour de France

Popularly known as la Grand Boucle , the Tour de France is a sporting phenomenon like no other. The race takes place over a three-week period in July, when more than 12 million spectators line the route to watch. And for free. Onlookers wait for hours, often only for a glimpse of le peloton as it speeds by. For many though, it is la caravane publicitaire they have come to see. In fact a recent survey found that almost half of the roadside spectators at a stage of the Tour de France are there for the publicity caravan, not the racing. Each day the caravan precedes the race creating a carnival spirit whilst dishing out three quarters of a million of worthless gifts from zanily decorated vehicles advertising products as diverse as butane gas and dried sausages. Children and adults alike scrabble to pick up the cheap advertising souvenirs.

©Graham Twemlow

The notion of including a publicity caravan originated in the 1930s with the aim of generating additional funding for the Tour. At that time various brands and services were advertised by cutout sign boards attached to standard vehicles but over time participating companies began to approach coach-builders asking them to create eye-catching customised vehicles; more akin to carnival floats. BIC, famous for the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, has been involved with the Tour since 1952. In 1953 the company commissioned the architect and product designer Félix Aublet to design a space-age vehicle promoting the ubiquitous product. Built around a Renault 2.5T small truck, the plexiglass and sheet metal superstructure resembled a rocket-powered biro with alarming looking “booster rocket” pointed pens attached to either side of the cab. Nowadays the floats must adhere to stringent safety tests and technical considerations.

The planning and logistics of operating the Tour is immense. Each day roads have to be closed off and towns and villages made inaccessible for a period of time until the Tour entourage has passed by. The publicity caravan sets off each day from the respective starting stage town two hours before the riders. 170 vehicles form the complete cavalcade representing 35 brands, with the 12km convoy taking 45min to pass the excited roadside spectators. In all 600 personnel are associated with the caravan – including drivers, “hostesses”, distributors, and mechanics.

The 2017 Tour de France starts in Düsseldorf on July 1 and ends with the Champs-Élysées stage in Paris on July 23 .

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The Tour de France caravan just got a whole lot cheesier

Your July picnic is taking shape beautifully.

If there’s one thing that Tour de France organiser ASO can be relied on, it’s synergising the shit out of brand connections – and there’s no place that those synergies take shape better than in the Tour de France caravan. 

If you’re unfamiliar with this iconic cycling phenomenon, let me describe it for you. You, a spectator, stand on the side of the road in the French summer sun, waiting for the passage of the peloton. Cars with official stickers drive past you. Out of the back of one of the cars marked “Presse,” an Australian man with a moustache will wave energetically because he thinks it is very funny getting waved back at. And then, then , from down the road comes the honking parp of motorbikes and, shimmering through the heat radiating from the tarmac, the hallucinogenic vision of an enormous smiling lion gliding down the road on the back of a car. 

For the next 10 minutes, your senses are under assault. There is the blast of terrible Europop. There are objects flying at you from all angles. Horned-up students on the back of floats punch the air and blow whistles. A man dressed as a king , increasingly pungent as the Tour drags on, smiles at you rogueishly. Local children scurry about your feet in the dust, looking for pouches of Haribo. Elderly women beg for dish soap. At the end of the frenzy, you assess your haul: some grotesquely weathered little sausages, some Frisbee-like bags of awful coffee , some mustard you don’t want, a banana that’s travelled the world , washed down with a grenade full of Orangina and a fruity non-alcoholic beer . 

This year, however, the Tour de France caravan is about to get a whole lot cheesier. Thanks to a gloriously bombastic press release from the ASO, we are thrilled to report that global cheese icon La Vache qui rit is on the hook for the next three editions of the race, hommes and femmes. 

La Vache qui rit – known as ‘The Laughing Cow’ in English markets – is a wedge-shaped portion of soft white processed cheese which Wikipedia tells me is “made from aged cheeses, but not aged itself.” ?‍♂️ It is available in 120 countries with “people around the world eat[ing] 125 wedges of La Vache qui rit® every second.” Those individually wrapped wedges come in a circular white cardboard box with a big red laughing cow with a strong jawline on the front. Fortuitously, from a food poisoning perspective, it “can remain unrefrigerated for a limited length of time.”

As for the brand’s place in the Tour caravan, it’s the return of an old friend, having been a regular fixture from its first participation “over nine decades ago” and continued attendance into the 2000s.

I don’t know what falling out led to La Vache qui rit dropping out over the years since, but there are big goals for 2024 onward, including “spread[ing] positive vibes throughout the route” and “most importantly, [delivering] a tidal wave of laughter and smiles for spectators and TV viewers of all ages of the biggest cycling race on Earth.” Sounds fun! And a bit threatening!

As is traditional for a press release like this, there are a couple of quotes from key figures, such as Anne-Sophie Carrier (general manager of parent company, Bel France) saying that they will “[bring] everyone in France on board for a fun sporty experience full of flavour,” and Christian Prudhomme (director of the Tour de France) alleging that, thanks to a cheese, “laughter and a popular celebration will fill the air in July.”

As is also traditional, there is a staged picture of Carrier and Prudhomme standing in front of some signage, with (again, traditional) Prudhomme studiously looking slightly away from the camera . There is also a big red inflatable cow, and if you look carefully you can see the silhouette of someone inside pondering the twists and turns of their life to this point . 

In short, it is everything you could hope for from a cheese-related brand activation and more, and I for one can’t wait.

As enthusiastic observers of the Tour de France’s corporate machinations in general, and the caravan in particular, Escape Collective is excited to stare down a tidal wave of laughing cheese this July. We look forward to reporting back on our findings from the roadside.

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The Tour de France caravan is moronic, dangerous fun

You thought the point of going to the Tour de France was to watch riders go by. You thought wrong.

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The caravane publicitaire is ostensibly stupid. It's a parade created by and for race sponsors that goes off two hours ahead of the riders. The floats are well done, but the pandering isn't even thinly veiled. As it crosses the finish line, an emcee extolls the virtue of Cochonou saucisson and Haribo candy, and would have you believe that eats both on an hourly basis. Sponsors range from all-purpose cleaners to off-track betting, and the emcee would also have you believe he's an obsessive compulsive neat freak and degenerate gambler.

None of this out of character for the Tour de France, however. The race was founded as a publicity stunt, when a journalist for a struggling magazine called L'Auto approached his editor, Henri Desgrange, with the idea of sponsoring a race that would take place around France. The original Tour de France was absurdly difficult -- one stage was 471 kilometers long -- and just 21 of 60 riders made it to the finish. The event was a massive success, however. Desgrange soon had something much more than a support system for his publication.

Desgrange was the still the Tour de France's race director in 1930 when he concocted the idea of the caravane . It more or less hatched in its present form. A chocolate company, Menier, was the caravane's first sponsor, and rode ahead of the riders handing out free samples, exactly as companies do today.

The caravan going by at 60 mph, just whipping free shit at people https://t.co/H1YnhWtehn — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Long ass caravan was the reason it took 4 hours to drive 50 kilometers home pic.twitter.com/Ojt0YNyJ2s — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 23, 2014

The difference in modern times is added lunacy. The caravane careens up to 50 miles per hour through the departmental roads connecting villages along the stage route, passing roadsides packed with spectators. As they zip by, pretty male and female models throw free samples from over the side, pelting everyone. The Haribo samples actually stung. In 2000 and 2002, children were killed after stepping in front of the oncoming vehicles.

Caravan time! https://t.co/JQ4s2zW3Ik — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 23, 2014

But the weirder thing may be the excitement the caravane incites. Adults chased each other and hopped into ditches for free key chains and madeleines. They were more than happy to show off the wares. One man and his son filled two Skoda hats with gifts. Le Tour proudly claims that 47 percent of those who attend the Tour de France come for the caravane alone.

A proud man and a free sausage pic.twitter.com/u9yaa4S0xc — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Check out this kid's f'ing haul pic.twitter.com/DYzNpk84pz — Louis Bien (@louisbien) July 20, 2014

Which seems high for a cheesy production, until it hits you that you're actually having fun. Stupid fun, admittedly, and maybe the whole thing is a little insidious on some level. But love it or hate it, you can't say the caravane doesn't keep with the spirit of the Tour.

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Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen Released from Hospital Following Itzulia Basque Country Crash

After 12 days in hospital, the Tour de France champ heads home to continue his recovery from multiple fractures and lung injuries.

Vingegaard was one of several involved in a horrible crash on April 5 , during stage four of the Itzulia Basque Country. He broke his collarbone and several ribs and suffered a pulmonary contusion and pneumothorax. He remained at the Txagorritxu Hospital’s ICU in Vitoria mainly because flying could be dangerous in his condition.

He will likely return home to Denmark or Switzerland to continue his recovery. Although health and safety are everyone’s number one concern, the Tour de France is just 74 days away. The big question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Vingegaard will be able to ride.

Cyclingnews reported that Visma-Lease a Bike’s sports director, Merijn Zeeman, has confirmed that Vingegaard will not be attending altitude camp in Spain in May. The team has been protecting Vingegaard’s privacy, saying little about his upcoming training and racing plans.

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep), Primoz Roglič (BORA-hansgrohe), Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates), and Steff Cras (TotalEnergies) also suffered intense injuries from the crash. And although the events of the day were terrifying, all athletes have expressed gratitude that things weren’t even worse.

It’s a waiting game to see who will be recovered enough to race in the upcoming packed season, but most of all, proper recovery is the name of the game for everyone involved.

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I’m a Retired Pro Cyclist. Here’s Why I Still Return to Gran Fondos like the Tour de Scottsdale.

The spirit and camaraderie of cycling is alive and well at gran fondos..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Even though I have been retired from professional cycling 16 years now, I still enjoy promoting the sport and riding my bike as often as possible. I often get the opportunity to ride Gran Fondo events and this past weekend got to participate in the Tour de Scottsdale in sunny Arizona. I participated in the 62 mile/metric century event, but there was also a 35 mile/half metric century event option.

The event kicked off on Thursday night with the USA Cycling Prix Ride reception at the Scottsdale Ferrari Showroom. Mari Holden , George Hincapie , 2004 Giro d’Italia winner Damiano Cunego , and myself joined the Tour de Scottsdale organizer TJ Juskiewicz at the event surrounded by beautiful cars and bikes from event sponsor Pinarello .

Friday morning we all participated in the “Prix Ride with the Pros” which was a 60km easy spin around Scottsdale, Arizona, just to check our equipment and spin out the legs for the following day.

I have been pinning on numbers over the span of almost four decades but must admit I still get a little nervous each time I do it. I prefer a mantra of “completion over competition” these days, but with the careful placement of each pin on my jersey, the memories of my past racing experiences inevitably come rushing back.

For as long as I can remember I have tried to be as organized as possible the night before the event so that I am not a headless chicken in the morning. But there is a lot more to think about these days compared to when I was racing.

After pinning on my numbers, I lay out my whole kit to make sure that I don’t forget anything. I charge my electric shifting, attach my number with timing chip to my bike, and sort out my fueling needs for the event. Over the years, friends and roommates used to make fun of me for doing all this the night before, but I could go to bed and sleep well knowing that everything was prepared.

The start time for the 100km event was a 7 a.m., so I awoke at 5 a.m. to have a small breakfast and coffee to make sure that my pre-event fueling needs were met. Normally I would finish eating three hours before the event but figured that one more hour of sleep was more important this time.

Gran Fondo starts are usually very nervous as there are people from all experience levels present. Although I believe more in “participation and pleasure vs. placing and pain,” I try to stay in the front to avoid any crashes or unnecessary stress.

The 2024 Tour de Scottsdale start was very well controlled and safe, but it didn’t take long for the first accelerations to begin.

I don’t do much hard training to prepare for these events, so my main tactic is to use my experience riding in big groups to save as much energy as possible. My pain threshold is the same as it always was, but now my pain sensitivity is very high, and my pain tolerance is very low. I am the epitome of a “crystal-cranker” and not at all embarrassed to admit it.

I know this may come to a shock to some, but I am not much of a talker during these events. I think that it is important to keep your attention on the road, the wind direction, the upcoming turns, proper fueling, and the riders around you.

I really like to listen to and observe the other riders in the peloton during Gran Fondo events. I look at their material, position on the bike, pedaling style, and even the food they have in their pockets. Not many riders make a full time living from racing bikes, so everyone is there for different reasons that I find quite interesting. Some are there to compete for the win, while others are there just for the experience and challenge.

The great road surface in the Scottsdale area and the rolling course ensured that the average speed would be quite high. There were many strong riders and teams working well together which was great to see.

The group was quite large until about 12 miles to go when we hit on the climb on Dynamite Boulevard. This is where the race winning move was made and split the group into many pieces. Even though my ex-racer ego said “GO,” my legs couldn’t follow. The realization of not doing the hard work on the bike set in and I was more than happy to roll into the finish line a few minutes behind the winner.

Seeing so many participants in the Tour de Scottsdale and other Gran Fondo events is just awesome. We all have our personal stories about how we started cycling and who influenced us to start riding, so I encourage everyone to play it forward. Let’s get more people on bikes! Play a part in exposing friends and family members to the challenges, adventures, experiences, and memories that the bike can provide.

I will be attending many more events and Gran Fondos this summer, so hope to see you out there!

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