The inaugural Tour de France bicycle race began in Paris, serving both as a competitive arena for cyclists and a strategic initiative to boost the dwindling sales of the newspaper L'Auto. Organizers conceived the event as a way to inspire enthusiasm for cycling while simultaneously providing riveting content for the publication. The race, which spanned over six stages across various landscapes, captured the attention of the public and showcased the challenging conditions that competitive cyclists would face.

The course thus combined urban settings with rural stretches and mountainous routes, pushing athletes to their physical limits. It included a series of roughly 2,428 kilometers that led participants through iconic cities such as Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, tackling climbs that tested even the most seasoned riders. The event not only celebrated the sport of cycling but helped affirm its place in French culture.

The race saw notable competitors, with Maurice Garin emerging as the first winner, a milestone that would pave the way for future iterations of the event. Garin's remarkable endurance and strategy ensured his place in the annals of cycling history, where he completed the challenging course in a time of 94 hours, 33 minutes, and 14 seconds. Enthusiasm for the event grew rapidly, laying the groundwork for it to evolve into one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.