#TourDeFrance

The Tour de France Automobile was one of the most prestigious and demanding multi-day motor racing events held in Europe between 1951 and 1986. Its origins trace back to 1899, when the French newspaper Le Matin organized the first Tour de France Automobile, a pioneering long-distance motoring competition designed to promote the automobile as a viable mode of transport across France. Revived in 1951 in a modern format, the postwar Tour de France Automobile combined closed-road rally stages, circuit racing, and hill climbs, making it a unique challenge that tested speed, endurance, and versatility. The event was open to production-based GT and touring cars, attracting both factory teams and private entrants. Over the course of 7 to 10 days, the race covered more than 5,000 kilometers, featuring stops at iconic French circuits such as Le Mans, Reims, Rouen, Montlhéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Pau, and Mont Ventoux. Competitors faced a blend of road sections, timed stages, and racing heats—turning the event into a grueling test of both man and machine. Organized by the Automobile Club de Nice and later the FFSA, the Tour de France gained a reputation as one of the most complete and prestigious motorsport events in Europe. Victories in the Tour were seen as proof of a car's all-round performance and reliability. Legendary drivers such as Jean Behra, Olivier Gendebien, Lucien Bianchi, Jean Guichet, and Bernard Darniche claimed wins over the decades, while manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Ford, Porsche, and Matra used the event to showcase their top GT machinery. The original event was discontinued in 1986, but it was revived in the 1990s as Tour Auto, a prestigious historic rally reserved for classic competition cars.

We'll tell the story of this event on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.

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