A must-visit location during each edition, the Tour de France village contributes to the legend of the event. On Saturday morning, Christian Estrosi and Jean Marie Leblanc, former organizer of the Tour de France, inaugurated the Nice village of the tour.
The ribbon in front of the village entrance is cut, and the magic of the Tour de France can begin. Through the winding paths of the Promenade des Anglais, the stands of the Grand Loop are explored by passersby.
Christian Estrosi pays tribute to the historic partners of the tour by personally participating. Yellow cap on his head, bike testing and posing for photos, the mayor of Nice is enjoying the festivities: “The countdown is on, and the symbol of this enthusiasm is what is happening today. People are happy, the Tour de France is pure joy. I am very proud to host this 100th edition of the tour in Nice.”
While the riders have sent their first pedal strokes in Corsica, Nice is preparing to host its stage. Jean Marie Leblanc savors these moments even after so many years spent on the Grand Loop: “Here, I find a scent, an atmosphere, and a perfectly ideal space. It is a privilege and an honor to launch this start at the request of my friend Christian Prudhomme.” Asked about possible public fatigue due to recent scandals that have tarnished cycling, the former organizer of the tour is confident: “The public’s enthusiasm is always present. It is this enthusiasm that has formed these great champions. The Tour de France is made of exploits and drama, and all of this has built its legend.”
Amid all this excitement, restaurateurs have mixed feelings: “We don’t expect more benefits than usual. In December we could quantify the profits, but in the summer we’re full regardless,” explains the receptionist at the Mercure hotel. At the “Bistrot gourmand” restaurant, the event is rather positive: “We’re not thinking of working for just three days. We have to see it as a long-term strategy with visibility for Nice worldwide.” Christian Estrosi suggests economic benefits around 15 million euros, but with these testimonies, it’s clear that the benefits are difficult to evaluate for the city of Nice.
