In what year was the first Tour de France held?

The first Tour de France was held in 1903. It ran from 1 to 19 July and covered six stages linking cities including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nantes.

The race was created by L’Auto newspaper editor Henri Desgrange and journalist Géo Lefèvre as a way to increase the paper’s circulation. The event was far more demanding than the modern Tour: the route covered about 2,428 kilometres, and riders faced exceptionally long stages, some beginning or continuing through the night.

Maurice Garin won the inaugural race, finishing nearly three hours ahead of Lucien Pothier. The yellow jersey did not yet exist; race leadership was indicated by a green armband. Another unusual rule allowed riders who abandoned a stage to compete in later stages, although they could no longer qualify for the overall classification. The race’s commercial success ensured that it returned in 1904.