Evolution of the Tour

Created in 1903 as a way to sell more newspapers, the Tour de France was originally seen as a challenge of epic proportions taken on by brave local villagers. For 3 weeks, riders were self supported, and daily stages lasted up to 12 hours in impossibly cruel conditions. Rain, snow, and blistering heat marked the infrequently traveled gravel roads, contributing to the Tour’s image as the world’s most challenging sporting event.

Having weathered two world wars and countless controversies, the Tour de France celebrates its 100th anniversary in July of 2003. Throughout this 100 year period, it has undergone many changes, most notably the composition of teams and the internationalization of the sport. Originally created as a race for the French, the Tour has grown into a multi-national sporting event. Today riders from all over Europe participate in the Tour, as well as athletes from countries such as the United States, Russia, Colombia, Lithuania, and Australia. Only one person can win the Tour each year and walk away with the famous yellow jersey, but each rider who finishes is a hero to the French public.

With 1500 hours broadcast in over 160 countries and an estimated 2 billion viewers worldwide, the Tour de France has reached truly global proportions. Offering viewers a month-long parade through the French countryside, the Tour de France is France’s showcase to the world.

Pedagody and Objectives

The Tour de France is far more than a long and grueling bike race. Its rich history and ongoing controversies make it a fascinating topic. From the geography and history of France to the globalization of sport and economy, the Tour is pertinent to almost any subject of study. The Tour offers rich topics for current day France and is exciting for fans and non-fans alike. You don’t have to be a cycling enthusiast to fully enjoy the intricacies of the sport; what the Tour offers is a vision of France. Best of all, its increased popularity in the United States – thanks to 4-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong – makes it a timely and fascinating subject.

The goals here are to introduce students to the Tour de France and to familiarize them with some basic elements of the race. While the Tour may be studied on a multitude of levels, here we will focus on the important question of identity. How does the Tour reflect the French identity? Why is the Tour important to French culture and what does it represent to its people? Students will look at photos, listen to the Tour theme song, watch a short video, and read several brief texts that highlight the epic nature of the Tour. Pre- and post- reading and listening activities are varied to address diverse learning styles and are designed to meet the new ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards:

• Communication Students share their thoughts in pre- and post-listening activities
• Culture Students examine French values as seen through the Tour de France
• Connections Students are asked to relate the Tour de France to knowledge in other areas (such as business, marketing, and geography)
• Comparisons Students are encouraged to develop insights into French culture by making comparisons and shifting perspectives
• Communities Students broaden their horizons of French culture by participating in the drama of the Tour

For students of French, the Tour offers the unique opportunity to study not only the sport of cycling, which is secondary to most Tour fans, but into the heart of France and its people.