For the first time in its over century-long history, the Tour de France will start from Italy, with the initial three stages crossing Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont. The Grand Départ is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, with the start in Florence.
The first stage of the famous cycling race will begin in the heart of Tuscany and wind its way to Rimini, showcasing the natural beauty of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the sandy Adriatic coast. This stage will be dedicated to the memory of the great Italian cyclist Gino Bartali.
Getting ready to the Grand Départ
To mark the start of the Tour de France from Florence, there will be lots of activities focusing on the world of cycling with the aim of engaging people of all ages and interests in the history of cycling and highlighting a major figure from Florence, Gino Bartali.
The Gino Bartali Museum in Ponte a Ema, where the cyclist was born and began his career, is dedicated to the champion. Exceptionally, it will be open to the public for free from June 17 to 30 with special hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM; and on June 29, the day of the Grand Départ, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Workshops for kids will introduce them to the history and nature of bicycles, while the tours will let visitors relive the era of competitive cycling during which Gino Bartali competed—winning numerous races, including three Giro d’Italia titles (1936, 1937, 1946) and two Tour de France titles (1938, 1948).
The tours will also delve into the history of bicycles and cycling. In addition to bicycles, trophies, and memorabilia related to Bartali’s history, visitors can see historic bicycles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bike tours
Special bike tours will also be organized, open to all cycling enthusiasts and free of charge. The first guided itinerary—lasting two hours—offers a leisurely ride discovering the ancient city walls, starting from Torre della Zecca and ending at Torre del Serpe, near Porta a Prato (June 15 and 16 at 4 PM). The second guided itinerary includes a bike tour starting from Piazza Bartali and ending at the eponymous museum, with a final guided tour (June 22 and 23 at 9 AM, duration three hours including the visit).
Bartali and the holocaust
During the same period, there will also be a special opening of the Deportation Memorial, located in Piazza Bartali, in tribute to Gino Bartali’s efforts between 1943 and 1944 to save Jews, which earned him the honor of Righteous Among the Nations. The museum will be open from June 22 to 30 from 10 AM to 1 PM, with free guided tours every day at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 12 PM.
Reservations are required for all visits, tours, and activities: info@musefirenze.it, 055-2768224.