IN PICTURES: France's scene-stealing Tour de France fans
Whether it's 'simple' head-to-toe polka dots à la jersey awarded to the King of the Mountains to various furry animals, an out-of-season Santa Claus, the Pope and even, um, genitalia, those watching like to get creative.
These are some of our favourites from this year's race.
A spectator in costume (presumably Celine Dion from the helpful sign) looks on along the race route. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
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Spectators in polka dots and, yes, inflatable genitalia costumes cheer the riders on. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
A group of spectators sport matching skintight pink all-in-ones line the race route on the ascent of Mont Ventoux. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
The 'pope' was in attendance this year, too. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
A spectator dressed up as Santa Claus – because why not – rings a bell along the race route. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
It all makes dressing up as a panda look pretty normal.
This panda was watching the race on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
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And sometimes people want to just let it (almost) all hang out.
A man in a fluorescent Borat-style mankini steals the show. (Photo by Bernard PAPON / POOL / AFP)
Bare feet, kilts, and pants: does it get any more Scottish? (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
Hats are also a big deal among those watching.
A spectator wearing a hat adorned with miniature cyclists looks on at the finish line area on the summit of La Plagne. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
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Another spectator sports a hat decorated with mini cyclists. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
Umbrella hats cover all weather eventualities. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
Sometimes only traffic cones will do when supporting the riders. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
And, at other times, it's a different kind of riding you need.
A man on horseback rides alongside the peloton. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
And let's not forget the banners.
A spectator in a stormtrooper mask holds a placard to spur riders on. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
Spectators with a placard which reads "You're a skilled bastard, get over the hill and think of Ricard [French liquor]" gather near the finish line area at the summit of Col de la Loze. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
But sometimes it all goes a bit too far. Like when one brazen prankster actually tried to cross the finish line before the riders,
earning himself an eight-month suspended sentence in the process
.
A French Republican Security Corps officer tackles an individual attempting to cycle across the finish line minutes before the final sprint between Bollene and Valence, southern France, on July 23, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
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