“Siège social de la Banque Régionale d’Escompte et de Dépôts” or the Tour Bred is a 17-story office building. Constructed around 1975, it stands approximately 63 meters tall. The Tour Bred is located in Paris’s 12th arrondissement. Its address is 18-18bis, quai de la Rapée.
But what does this building have to do with the Tour de France? The Tour de France began in 1903. It started as a way to boost sales for the sports newspaper L’Auto. The paper wanted to beat its competitor, Le Velo. Le Velo covered all bike races. L’Auto decided to create its own race for exclusive coverage. Covering the biggest multi-day bike race in the world worked. L’Auto eventually surpassed Le Velo.
The first race had six stages over 19 days. Some stages lasted as long as 18 hours. Riders had to check their brakes and be quiet when riding through villages at night. Early Tours were a bit wild. Cheating was common. Riders hopped into cars or trains. Rival fans even beat up racers.
The tradition of the yellow jersey started in 1919. The color was chosen because L’Auto was printed on yellow paper. The Tour de France route covers around 3,500 kilometers. The race always ends on the Champs-Élysées in Paris since 1975. The Tour de France attracts over 12 million roadside spectators. It is one of the most-watched sporting events globally.
Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain each won the Tour five times. The Alpe d’Huez is one of the most iconic climbs. It is 13.8 kilometers long. It has an average gradient of 8.1% and a maximum of 13%. Accidents are common. About 20-30 riders withdraw each year due to injuries.
The Tour de France is broadcast in 190 countries. It has a global TV audience of 3.5 billion people. So, while the Tour Bred may seem like just another office building, it stands as a silent witness to the spirit of competition. It reminds us of the determination that defines events like the Tour de France.