Everything you need to know about the Grand Départ in Valenciennes

On July 7, the 3ᵉ stage of the Tour de France will take place. This exceptional 172-kilometer stage will take the riders from Valenciennes to Dunkirk. This is the day when they will face unique challenges, such as the climb to Cassel, or the last 35 kilometers exposed to the powerful winds of the Flanders plain.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate the passage of the Tour de France through Valenciennes, a stage town for the 7th time since 1970. Here's the program!

Villages and entertainment

Place Poterne: the Tour village

This is where the official Tour de France village will be set up for the duration of the festivities! Numerous events open to all will also take place in the Parc des Prix de Rome, just next door.

Festivities kick off on July 7 at 9:30 a.m.!

And from 11 a.m.: snack bars and food trucks await you, Parc des Prix de Rome

Place d'Armes: entertainment and giant screen

Valenciennes' famous Grand Place will also be part of the festivities for 4 consecutive days:

• July 5 and 6: music and cycling events
• July 7: podium Summer Tour with lots of entertainment, music, goodies... and lots more surprises!
• July 5-8: Tour stages in the Nord region broadcast on giant screen

Shopping

Boulevard Pater: the start of the parade

• 11 a.m.: Start of junior cadet race
• 11:10 am: Departure of the Tour caravan (30 min)
• 1.10pm: Start of the Tour parade (6.6km). It will take riders from boulevard Pater to the northern bypass, via the Musée des Beaux-Arts and Place d'Armes.

Northern bypass: the real start

At 1:25pm, the actual start of stage 3 of the Tour de France 2025 will take place on the D375 at the new northern bypass of Valenciennes.

The party goes on before and after the Tour!

In the run-up to the Tour, an exhibition in Place d'Armes traces the history of the Grande Loop. Free admission until July 7. As for the race, come and watch the Valenciennes-Famars stage of the 4 jours de Dunkerque, on Friday May 16. You'll then be invited to take part in the "Place aux vélos" event, from June 25 to 27 in Place d'Armes. On the program: repair workshop, road safety awareness, demonstrations, information and other activities (in partnership with the Droit au vélo association).

Last but not least, Sunday September 28 sees the return of the VéloTour: come and rediscover the city's most emblematic landmarks on your family bikes, in a friendly, festive atmosphere.