One of the many joys of being an ex-pat resident of a country like France is getting to attend events like the Tour de France live without the hassles of around-the-world flights from Australia. We never imagined when we left Australia in December of 2010 that Mark would get to watch a stage of this famous race for two years in a row.
I’m turning the photo essay over to my husband Mark today since he’s the one who braved the drizzly weather to watch a Midi-Pyrenees stage of the 99th Tour de France on Sunday, the 15th of July.
Instead of being crunched by the crowds at the finish-line in Foix, Mark chose to watch from the village of Massat which is only about a 40 minute drive from our home in St. Girons. Here are some scenes in the village prior to the arrival of the caravan of floats and then the peloton of riders.
5 Jersey Display in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Man Waiting for the Tour de France in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Gendarmes in front of building decorated for Tour de France in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
The caravan passed steadily by as people of all ages eagerly awaited the ‘goodies’ which are flung out to the crowds.
The pre-peloton caravan parade begins in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
The Haribo (candy) parade car in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
The Big Yellow Rider at the pre-peloton parade in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
The Mickey Mouse comic book car in the pre-peloton parade in Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Waiting and watching for the Tour de France cyclists to arrive
Zoom! After all of the waiting, it was quickly over for another year and people began returning to their homes.
Tour de France cyclists passing through Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Walking home after watching the Tour de France pass through Massat, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Caps, keyrings, fridge magnets, packs of candy & snacks, wristbands, tote bags, blow-up pillow, glasses case, and more. Mark was much luckier this year since he picked a spot that had less people than his position in Normandy a year ago and he thus increased his odds of catching the ‘goodies’ that are flung out by the caravan of floats prior to the arrival of the peloton. He came home a very happy-chappy with a huge grin on his face!
A selection of 'goodies' that are tossed out to the crowd during the pre-peloton Tour de France parades through villages & towns
©Deborah Harmes and ©Mark Harmes and ©A Wanderful Life
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