What is the most famous road cycling race held annually in France?

The most famous road cycling race held annually in France is the Tour de France.

The Tour is a men’s multiple-stage race, usually held in July and primarily staged in France, although its route often crosses into neighboring countries. Riders compete both individually and as teams, with the overall winner determined by the lowest accumulated time across all stages.

The race began in 1903 as a circulation-boosting project for the French newspaper L’Auto. It is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, alongside Italy’s Giro d’Italia and Spain’s Vuelta a España. Paris-Roubaix is also a celebrated French race, but it is a one-day classic rather than a three-week stage race.

The Tour was not held during 1915–1918 or 1940–1946 because of the World Wars. Its famous yellow jersey, the maillot jaune, identifies the overall race leader.