May 30, 2023 – The Tour de France kicks off in a unique way this year, beginning with an exhibition on cycling and sports organized by LCL, the yellow jersey sponsor with Christian Prudhomme, the Tour’s director, and the sports artist Lucie LLONG as guests. This event sets the stage for the grand spectacle of the race, showcasing the passion, beauty, and artistry of the cycling world. This remarkable event brought together prestigious guests, such as members of the LCL Management Committee, Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de Franc as well as large account customers passionate by cycling and sports
This is my second collaboration with LCL, after an exhibition in 2019 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the yellow jersey, the iconic jersey of the leader of the Tour de France. For this new exhibition and others to come, I have created paintings that convey all their energy and symbolism to this jersey.
It embodies excellence, constant effort, and determination, qualities that are also present in artistic creation. Just as Tour de France riders push their limits to achieve their goals, as an artist, I strive to capture movement in my artworks, suggesting the intensity and energy exerted by athletes during their feats.
Photos of the inauguration with Christian Prudhomme
The Tour de France 2023
The Tour de France, an exceptional sporting event that ignites cycling enthusiasts gathered on the roadside to witness the peloton whiz by at high speed. Those few moments of connection with the riders are an unforgettable memory, etched forever in the minds of the spectators. This unique sport allows for the fusion of sports, culture, geography, and art. Each stage offers a magnificent spectacle through diversified landscapes. The physical prowess of the riders, the challenging climbs, and the thrilling sprints captivate spectators who share their passion with the athletes. The Tour de France, followed in 180 countries, is a global phenomenon that, like the Olympics and major sports world cups, brings together millions of people from around the world. It serves as a meeting point between the passion for sports, culture, and the beauty of the world. The Tour de France 2023 will kick off from Bilbao, a city with a rich industrial and maritime history that I had the pleasure of discovering last year. It has become a crossroad of arts and culture with its renowned Guggenheim Museum and its futuristic architecture. The colossal statue “Mother” by Louise Bourgeois stands as a symbol, while the city seamlessly blends modernity and history. The journey will bring the peloton 23 days later on the world-known Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Step 1: Bilbao, city of art and history
The Auvergne stages : 3 days on the Tour de France
July 9, 2023 | Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme | Step 9
The Tour de France, mythical summit | The Puy de Dôme. It is a legendary stage where epic duels have taken place, notably the one in 1964 that left a lasting mark on cycling and sports history. Anquetil and Poulidor, two immense champions, embark on the ascent of the dormant giant. Fueled by the cheering crowd, they engage in a merciless battle, elbow to elbow, handlebar to handlebar, all the way to the summit. While this legendary duel remains etched in history, neither of these two riders emerged victorious on July 12, both defeated by Julio Jimenez. The 1964 Tour de France was decided in that very ascent, where Poulidor clawed back 43 seconds from his rival, but it was not enough to snatch the yellow jersey from Anquetil. Anquetil held onto it with a 14-second lead with only two stages remaining and went on to win that edition, marking his fifth and final victory in the Tour.
This year will mark the return of the yellow jersey to the summit of Puy de Dôme. Only Joop Zoetemelk, winner of the Tour in 1980 and world champion in 1985, will have the distinction of winning twice at the top of this iconic mountain. I had the pleasure of meeting him, painting him, and interviewing him a few years ago.
July 11, 2023 | Vulcania - Issoire | Step 10
After a rest day, the peloton takes the road for a 100% Puydomoise stage linking Vulcania, the European Park of Volcanism and Issoire la belle. A stage that will take us to the heart of the chain of puys listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018 and the Sancy massif, a magnificent playground for runners.
Issoire, a sports city, hosts the Tour and once again demonstrates its commitment to and to sport. The richness of its associative fabric, its heritage and its economic dynamism have made the city one of the legitimate candidates to host this 2023 edition.
For many years, the city has been involved in the promotion of art, sport and cycling with the annual organization of the Tour Cyclisme Agglo pays d’Issoire and a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré in 2021, an event in which I had the chance to participate as an artist. Indeed, the city has chosen to combine sport and art by displaying on its walls 5 of my paintings. The peloton of the criterium had also passed in front of this tribute to sport and overtaking.
A collection of 100% bicycle equipment and accessories will be associated with an exhibition of my paintings and photos to accompany the arrival of the caravan in the city.
Exhibition from 7 to 16 July 2023
Halle au grain d’Issoire
Inauguration on July 7 at 6 p.m.
July 12, 2023 | Clermont-Ferrand - Mills | Step 11
A dynamic and sporty city, Clermont is an important stop for cycling this year. Starting point of this 11th stage, Clermont will also be the starting city of the Women’s Tour which will take place from 23 to 30 July 2023, the famous stage N°1 which will lead the peloton to Pau this year for the final stage.
This recognition is the symbol of the success of this city and more generally of its territory. Clermont is also the standard-bearer of the candidacy of the entire Massif Central to become the European Capital of Culture in 2028.
The department of Puy-de-Dôme organizes a collective exhibition entitled L’échappée des artistes to exchange and propose the plural visions of artists (photographer, sculptors, painters) on cycling on the occasion of this double visit of the Tour de France in the city of Blaise Pascal. I am pleased to have been selected to participate and I will have the pleasure of presenting 2 works in motion. To discover from June 20, 2023 in the premises of the department.
The artists’ escape
Exhibition from June 20 to July 13, 2023
Hotel in the department of Puy-de-Dôme
Hall René Cassin
24 rue Saint-Esprit in Clermont-Ferrand
Opening June 20 at 6 p.m.
The historical partner of the yellow jersey and the Tour de France
Since 1987, The LCL is the proud partner of the Yellow Jersey. By associating its name with this legendary jersey created in 1919, the LCL highlights values of excellence, performance and commitment, all inscribed in the DNA of this company. By supporting cycling more generally, the LCL also affirms its desire to promote more sustainable practices and acts in Fervent defender More environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
This commitment is reflected in concrete actions on a daily basis through proximity to its individual and corporate customers and in its egalitarian and inclusive recruitment policy.
To convince yourself, do not hesitate to go to the agency of Jaude, 2 rue blatin in Clermont-Ferrand to enjoy the exhibition until August 30, 2023 and meet the team of the agency.