Published on 27 June 2024

Tour de France Femmes: cycling festival for all

In just under 50 days, Rotterdam will kick off the world's most important multi-day cycling race for women; the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift from Sunday 11 to Tuesday 13 August. The diverse cultural and sports programme leading up to and during the event will make it a cycling feast for all.

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift consists of eight stages, the first three of which are in the Netherlands. On Monday 12 August, Rotterdam-Den Haag is on the programme. On Tuesday 13 August Dordrecht-Rotterdam as well as a time trial in Rotterdam. During the Dutch stages, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will pass several municipalities, including Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Westland, Albrandswaard and Barendrecht.

Cycling gives freedom and connects

The Tour de France Femmes shows how powerful and inspiring women in cycling are. In doing so, the Tour means more than just cycling. Municipalities of the organising cities Rotterdam, The Hague and Dordrecht seize this moment to get more people on their bikes, because cycling gives freedom, enlarges your world and connects. With a diverse programme combining culture and sports, the start of the Tour de France Femmes is a cycling party for everyone.

More than just sports

According to Charlotte Schillemans of Rotterdam Festivals, there is something for everyone: "The Tour de France Femmes is the moment of connection in the city. Connection between cycling fans and cyclists-to-be, connection between cities and municipalities, connection between sports and culture. This connection is central to our cultural programme, which we have worked hard on together with our cultural partners. Together, we will warm up Rotterdam and visitors for the start, with a sporty and cultural programme. Everyone is welcome at the start of the Tour de France Femmes!"

A selection of the cultural programme

On Mondays 1 July and 5 August , Cinerama will screen cycling films and documentaries of international standard during the AD Sports Film Festival.
On Saturday 10 August, the city programme kicks off with a club night in Rotown: The Grandest Depart Party ft. F*ck F*rever in Rotown, where artist Sophie Straat will perform a day later.
From Sunday 11 August, the cycling party for everyone will start and Rotterdam Central will also be dedicated to the Tour de Femmes. In the station hall, you will find the Stage de Femmes by Café Dox and North Sea Round Town.
In the Fanzone on Sunday 11 August, Qmusic DJs will celebrate at the Erasmus Bridge on the occasion of the Tour de France Femmes with Qmusic de Foute Tour.
On 11 and 13 August, the free music and art festival Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) Playground will take place at Westersingel.
On 12 August is the team presentation at Depot Boijmans van Beuningen with dance performances by Bencha Theatre organised by Circusstad Festival. Spectators will see acrobats hanging from ropes and perform vertical acts against the facade.
On 12 August, the time-trial track is car-free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., making it available for everyone to explore (on, for example, a unicycle from Circusstad, Dj Stayfun's skates or Rotterdam Street Culture Week's BMX Flatlanders).
On Tuesday 13 August, the Maritime Museum will also turn yellow. Visitors can enjoy a diverse programme including Club Gewalt, Duo Kaos and Fenja.
Villa Zebra turns into a Family Hub on Sunday 11 and Tuesday 13 August. For cycling activities with children, this is the place.