For its 109th edition, and a first in the history of the Tour de France, the Paris La Défense Arena will host the start of the last stage of Le Tour.
Located in the Hauts-de-Seine department in the heart of La Défense business district in Paris, the Paris La Défense Arena is ‘the largest indoor venue in Europe.’ This year the venue will welcome the start of the last stage of the Tour de France 2022, on Sunday July 24, 2022.
According to Tour de France organiser ASO, the venue will offer up… ‘an unprecedented spectacle and popular celebration, which nearly 10,000 spectators will be able to attend free of charge.’
The stage is being supported by the Department of Hauts-de-Seine, official partner of the Tour de France 2022 and sponsor of the Team Classification, as well as the Paris La Défense business district.
ASO added… ‘Paris La Défense Arena, the Department of Hauts-de-Seine and the Paris La Défense district are taking advantage of this international sporting event to join forces and offer a major popular festival accessible to all on the theme of cycling and transport alternatives.
‘Thus, everyone will be able to access the Paris La Défense Arena site and the first post-carbon business district on a global scale, thanks to the many means of transport offered by the Hauts-de-Seine department such as the metro, tram, bus or bicycle. All Ile-de-France residents are expected to vibrate in Europe’s leading business district and experience the last stage of this 2022 edition.’
“We are delighted and very honoured to host the Tour de France for the first time, a sporting event followed by millions of French people and internationally recognized,” said Jacky Lorenzetti, owner of Paris La Défense Arena and President of [rugby team] Racing 92.
“We invite all cycling enthusiasts to meet at Paris La Défense Arena this summer to celebrate this final stage.”
Georges Siffredi, President of the Department of Hauts-de-Seine and Paris La Défense, said “The Hauts-de-Seine have often hosted the Tour de France on its territory.
“This year, our community is sponsoring the Team Ranking and the Best Team Member Award, which perfectly embody the values of solidarity, effort, self-transcendence and excellence, advocated through our departmental policy. This partnership, as well as Paris-Nice, is fully in line with our ambitions and our commitment to sport and youth on our territory.”
Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, added “The history of the Tour is undoubtedly linked to the Hauts-de-Seine department, which has hosted the big loop on several occasions.
“I am delighted that the start of this last stage is given from Nanterre, at Paris La Défense Arena. This modern and renowned enclosure is a magnificent place to welcome the champions of the Tour at the start of the last kilometres, which will take them to the Champs-Elysées.”
www.letour.fr
www.parisladefense-arena.com
www.aso.fr
