Tour de Force – A Film About The Tour de Force
Le Tour de France is always a highlight on the cycling calendar with preparations and planning always underway. This iconic French cycling event that takes place annually throughout France is the subject of the comedy film Tour de Force.
“Like millions of others worldwide, 40 year old Francois Nouel (Clovis Cornillac) is a Tour de France fan. He has incomparable knowledge about everything to do with the race. He spends as much time as he can on his bike to escape from a disappointing everyday existence. At work he’s restricted to bicycle displays and things at home are no better: his son thinks he’s a loser and his wife berates him for being a coward. So when his wife discovers, on the eve of his holidays, that he’s been volunteered to work on the Tour it’s too much. She tells him she wants a divorce and leaves with his son.”
“Then he meets Remi Pletinckx, a depressive former sports manager, who’s also at the end of his rope. Under Pletinckx’s influence, Francois makes up his mind to live his childhood dream: to do the Tour de France. The race begins tomorrow. If he leaves now, one day ahead of the pros, he could even get to Paris before them.” Vendetta Films
I chanced upon this movie (initially released in June 2013) at my local lending library and was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was. It is entertaining, humorous and scenic. Watching the fictitious ride through the mountains and towns throughout the 21 stages of the Tour gave me a greater understanding of the famous French cycle race le Tour de France.
I personally recommend this movie if you are; a cyclist, a Tour de France fan, a fan of France and its spectacular scenery, or after a good fun family movie.
My children are a little older so the eccentric nudist who is a diehard Tour fan and the doping scandal are not an issue however, you will need to take this into consideration if your audience is a little younger. Reviews vary on this film, some with harsh criticism I feel, but commentators are in general agreement that the majestic landscapes have been beautifully photographed and parts of the film are truly comic.
Will you be cheering the Tour de France cyclists from the roadside in France and witnessing this famous sporting event or are you usually staying up late during the night watching it on television and then struggling to get to work on time as the weeks progress?
The Tour route has often been close (15 mins drive) to our village a number of times and the Mûr de Bretagne hill climb is always a highlight in the stage near us.
Often driving around France we have seen evidence of the race: large hay bale sculptures that are still in fields or on roundabouts; new sign posts and road edge markers; roadside lay areas for official vehicles; new road surfacing and decorative planter boxes.
A maire (local village mayor) is always delighted to have le Tour go through his village as it means extra finances are available to beautify his village.
The Tour started at Mont St-Michel in 2016, one of my favourite historical sites and the home of the restaurant La Mère Poulard where you will enjoy the freshest and lightest crepes imaginable. Try this restaurant out for yourself if you visit Mont St- Michel and read the history behind La Mère Poulard and its generous owner Annette, who provided fresh hot food to cold, wind beaten and hungry religious pilgrims.
Düsseldorf, Germany was the starting point in the 2017 race with the routes predominantly in the east and south of France with a flight from Marseilles to Paris to enable the final stage to be concluded from Montgeron to Paris.
2018 saw le Tour de France start on Saturday, 7 July (the 105th edition of the race) at Île de Noirmoutier, a small island off the Atlantic coast of France. After which the peloton headed to the mainland for three weeks of racing, ending as tradition holds, in Paris.
In 2021 the Tour de France stayed in Brittany, our region, for the first three days with the Pink Granite Coast showcased beautifully. Watching the tour race across familiar roads, through our local villages and near our friends homes was a highlight of 2021’s Tour. And of course, the Mûr de Bretange hill climb did not disappoint on Stage 2!
For detailed information on le Tour de France head over to either Cycling Stage or Le Tour where maps, rider profiles, videos, travel information and updated results are posted and for a fun film on the lighter side of the famous race watch Tour de Force.
