Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Barcelona Unveils Weeklong ‘Festa Major’ for Tour de France Grand Départ

City leaders frame the Grand Départ as a new citywide festival to spur local commerce.

Overview

  • Barcelona’s city council, which presented the plan Friday, set June 26 to July 5 for a decentralized program with more than 60 events across all 10 districts.
  • The sporting core features a team presentation on July 2 along Avinguda Gaudí between Sant Pau and the Sagrada Família, a team time trial starting at Parc del Fòrum on July 4, and a Stage 2 finish at Montjuïc on July 5.
  • The cultural lineup includes 10 concerts split between Plaça de la Catedral and Plaça Margarida Xirgu, 18 street arts actions, and a touring float called Le Tour on Tour created by Sergi Ots.
  • The municipality budgeted €460,000 and enlisted wide business participation, including 14 commercial axes, six shopping centers, some 2,500 shops, and municipal markets dressing venues and streets in Tour colors.
  • Fans will find a Tour fan park in Ciutat Vella from July 2 to 5 with the exact site still to be confirmed, and local guilds will sell Tour-themed foods such as the new pan del Tour from June 26, plus a dedicated cake and an official tortilla.