Barcelona will host over 60 cultural, gastronomic, and sporting activities across its 10 districts to celebrate the Tour de France Grand Départ. The city-wide celebration, dubbed a "Festa Major" or major festival, will run from 26 May to 5 July, the day after the competition begins.
Mayor Jaume Collboni presented the festival and its poster on Friday, stating that Barcelona, which already has winter and summer festivals, will now have one for the Tour. "We want the Grand Départ to be a big city festival," he said, alongside Sports Councillor David Escudé. The programme includes 10 concerts featuring artists such as Doctor Prats, Suu, and Sidonie, primarily at Plaça de la Catedral. Other family performances and traditional Catalan culture, including giant dances and casteller human tower displays, are also planned.
City-Wide Celebrations
Plaça Margarida Xirgu will join the festivities with music, dance, circus acts, and street theatre from artists and companies like Joan Garriga and Zum Zum Teatre. Anna Barbiela, founder of SMLXL, encouraged residents to find hidden details in the festival poster, explaining, "We have looked for the roots of the traditional major festival with drummers and castellers, among others."
Mayor Collboni also highlighted the involvement of 14 commercial areas, which he said "will be buzzing with activity and fill the city's streets" with proposals. More than 40 municipal markets, described as the heart of the neighbourhoods, will also participate. Javier Cottet, vice-president of Barcelona Oberta, stated that "anything that opens the city to the world is good for shops," while Jordi Arias of Barcelona Comerç expressed pride that a global event would reach all neighbourhoods.
Francesc Leyva, general secretary of the Federation of Municipal Markets of Barcelona (FEMM), announced that the city's 42 markets are "already decorated with the colours of the Tour" to show their involvement. Six shopping centres in Barcelona, including Westfield Glòries and Diagonal Mar, will organise activities and merchandise giveaways. Over 2,500 shops across the city will also be decorated to welcome the Tour de France.
Culinary and Family Attractions
The Barcelona Zoo, Port Olímpic, and Tibidabo Amusement Park will host family activities during the Tour de France festival. Various city guilds are also participating, including the Barcelona Pastry Chefs Guild, which has created a special 'Tour cake'. The Catalan Bicycle Retailers Guild and the Barcelona Bakers Guild are also involved.
During the presentation, the new 'Tour Bread' was introduced, an initiative by the City Council and the Barcelona Bakers Guild. This bread is expected to reach 2,400 points of sale throughout the city. Its creator, young Barcelona baker Enric Badia from 'Forn Elias', explained that it represents a "union of flavours" between French and Catalan culture. The round bun, about 12 centimetres in diameter, uses ingredients like tomato, rosemary, thyme, and Comté cheese, evoking a bicycle wheel.
The widespread participation from commercial sectors, cultural institutions, and local guilds aims to ensure the Tour de France Grand Départ is a memorable and inclusive event for all Barcelona residents and visitors.
