As I was told by one resident in Massat in the French Pyrenees, it might seem lovely when the Tour is coming through, but for the rest of the year it’s pretty dull. Certainly catching Le Tour if you’re in France, or one of the other countries it visits, is a must if you find yourself nearby in July. Everyone comes out of their shops and businesses and schools to watch the cavalcade of police cars with blaring sirens, press vehicles with haughty journalists and VIPs, the promotional caravan chucking out free goodies and then finally, the riders themselves who may be gone within a few seconds.

Travel tip The Pyrenees are cuter than the Alps (where the Tour also visits) and usually has at least three days of racing passing through it. Pick a small town to stay in for a few days and then make your way to each day’s racing from your base camp returning in the evening for dinner and a panache.

Music “Parisian Weekend” You can license it here