Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 bids all visitors a hearty welcome!

Visitors are expected from far and wide to attend the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 cycle sport event, the start of the Tour de France, on the first week-end in July. Awaiting them are an international sporting event, a folk festival along the race route and a big, friendly city on the Rhine with tourist highlights.

"We bid all visitors to the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 a hearty welcome and look forward to being your host at this sporting event of the year. There will be lots to discover along the route and around the city, too," says Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel.

Visitors can actually not only experience the world’s best cycle racers but also enjoy the biggest sporting event of the year at their ease.

Experience the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017

Grand Départ: Team presentation on Thursday 29th June 2017

The sporting stage of the Grand Départ will start with presentation of the teams at the Burgplatz in Düsseldorf’s Altstadt (Old Town) at 18:00 (scheduled time at present) on Thursday 29th June. There from 18:30 on the 198 riders of the 22 teams will ride onto the stage and from there across the Marktplatz, Rheinort and Untere Rheinwerft to Johannes-Rau-Platz by the Apollo Theater. There will be special offerings of food and drinks at the Marktplatz, Grabbeplatz, the meadow in front of KIT (Kunst im Tunnel) and at the Kö-Bogen. Moreover there is an event area of the German Army at the Untere Rheinwerft.

Grand Départ: Lichterfest at Schloss Benrath (Benrath Palace) on Friday 30 June 2017

The Schloss Benrath Lichterfest (Festival of Light) is a classical-music open-air concert of the Düsseldorf Symphoniker with illumination of Schloss Benrath and the Schlosspark (palace park) and a musical firework display which is attended by 10,000 spectators every year. Tickets are obtainable at: www.schloss-benrath-lichterfest.de. The official reception for the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 will be held at the same time in the palace.
 
Grand Départ: 1st stage on Saturday 1st July 2017

The Tour de France 2017 will get off to a start on Saturday, 1st July, with an individual time trial over 14 kilometres through the Düsseldorf City area. Riders will start at the "Messe Düsseldorf" (Düsseldorf Fair Centre) and then continue along the Rhine Bank in the direction of the Altstadt (Old Town). They will sprint over the "Oberkassel" bridge into the Oberkassel district on the left Rhine bank. From there they will return to the city centre over the "Rheinkniebrücke" bridge. The pursuit of the best-time will then continue along the Königsallee, short the "Kö". At the end of the Kö, Düsseldorf’s luxury shopping mall, the riders will then enter the Heinrich-Heine-Allee, ride along the Deutsche Oper (opera house) and return onto the Rhine Bank. The following 3.3-kilometre home straight will take them along the Rhine and back to the "Messe", fair centre. The publicity caravan is set to start at 13:45 and the individual time trial at 15:15. The last rider will reach the finish line at around 18:45.
Eight live broadcasts and six event venues

Also awaiting spectators along the 14-kilometre route on the day of the 1st stage will be a special offering of food and drinks. On large LED video walls set up at eight places in the expanded city centre visitors will be able to watch broadcasts of the Tour de France live. The video walls will be integrated into the event stage at the Burgplatz and on the event areas near the "Landtag" (state parliament building), at Grabbeplatz, Graf-Adolf-Platz, Marktplatz, on the Bürgerwiese in the Rheinpark, at the "Kö Bogen" and on the picnic meadow in the "Hofgarten" park. On the central stage at the Burgplatz, the international Bürgerwiese at the Rheinpark; the picnic meadow in the Hofgarten and the event area in front of the "Landtag" (State Parliament building), in addition to the live broadcast, there will also be join-in activities, talks or music and lots of information. One can also meet well-known sportspersons on the German Army’s event area at the Untere Rheinwerft.
The musical highlight will be the Kraftwerk group’s "Tour de France 3D" concert at the "Ehrenhof" court. Supporting act: AIR. Start will be at 19:30. The concert is sold out.
Grand Départ: 2nd stage on Sunday 2nd July 2017

The publicity caravan, which will process from the Burgplatz along the stage route through the city at 10:00 on Sunday, 2nd July, will mark the start of the 2nd stage of the Grand Départ. The race proper is set to start at 12:00. The eight kilometre-long "neutralisation" (where the riders cycle ahead slowly and are not timed) will start at the Burgplatz and proceed through the Altstadt (Old Town) in the direction of the Medienhafen (Media harbour). At the "Living Bridge" spanning the harbour basin racers will stop, before continuing through Düsseldorf city centre for the official start in the Fischerstraße. Only when they are there at 12:30 will the racers be expected to get up to full speed. After the first few level kilometres through the state capital they will ride in the direction of the "Galopprennbahn" (race course). From Grafenberg the course will run through Gerresheim and into the town of Erkrath. The 2nd stage of the Tour de France 2017 will then wind through Neandertal up to Mettmann, before the riders cross Ratingen and from there return to Düsseldorf. It will follow the Rhine crossing over the "Theodor-Heuss-Brücke" bridge, before the riders leave the Düsseldorf City area at the 57-kilometre mark at 14:00.
Seven live broadcasts and four event venues

At seven points in the expanded city centre visitors can watch live broadcasts of the Tour de France on LED video walls – that is, also after the riders have already left the Düsseldorf city area. The video walls will be integrated into the event stage at the Burgplatz and on the event areas near the "Landtag" (state parliament building), at Grabbeplatz, Graf-Adolf-Platz, Marktplatz, at the "Kö Bogen" and on the "Bürgerwiese" meadow in the Rheinpark. On the central stage at the Burgplatz, the international Bürgerwiese at the Rheinpark and the event area in front of the "Landtag" (State Parliament building), in addition to the live broadcast, there will also be join-in activities, talks or music and lots of information. One can also meet well-known sportspersons on the German Army’s event area at the Untere Rheinwerft.

Travelling to the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017

... by air

Travel to Düsseldorf by air is possible via Düsseldorf International Airport. The state capital Düsseldorf can be conveniently reached by direct flight from more than 200 cities worldwide: www.dus.com/de-de

At the airport there will also be a reception counter for visitors to the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017, where information about onward-travel can be obtained.

Thomas Schnalke, spokesperson for Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH, says,  „Düsseldorf and the whole area are looking forward to many thousands of visitors travelling to the Grand Départ from far and wide. The sporting highlight will be the visiting card that our city will be issuing this year. The airport will therefore be optimally ready for the visitors who will be travelling by air to the Tour de France. Our state capital Düsseldorf can be conveniently reached by direct flights. Airlines are making visitors from almost all keen cycling countries like Italy, Spain, France, England or the USA an outstanding flight offer that will make it very easy for them to travel to the event. Visitors can then travel on into the city by bus, U- and S-Bahn (underground and local tram) or taxi. Our city and airport are noted for the short distances between and in them. That is what marks them out internationally.“
... by train

Visitors from Germany can travel from anywhere in Germany by Deutsche Bahn long-distance train for an attractive and exclusive fixed price of 99 euro (2nd class) or 159 euro (1st class) and with 100 % green energy on all regular Deutsche Bahn routes. Both prices are valid for travel to and return from any station of Deutsche Bahn in Germany. The offer will be valid from 27th June 2017 until 4th July 2017. Tickets are obtainable at www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/gd-offers/

Visitors from North Rhine-Westphalia should best use regional trains and the „SchönerTagTicket NRW“ (NRW SuperSaver Ticket) (30 euro for 1 person; 44 euro for 5 persons). It is valid for all underground and local trams, buses throughout North Rhine Westphalia and 2nd class on all local trains. The ticket can be purchased in advance with the app of the Düsseldorf travel company "Rheinbahn" (www.rheinbahn.de/app) or on the Internet (www.rheinbahn.de/shop).

Visitors from the area covered by the Rhein-Ruhr Verkehrsverbund (VRR) (VRR Transport Network) and the city of Düsseldorf should likewise use local S- and U-Bahn trains (local and underground) and buses. For this the Rheinbahn recommends the „TagesTicket“ (DaySaver Ticket) for up to five persons (from 6.80 euro up in price level A).
... by bus and rail within Düsseldorf

Whether one travels to the event by air, rail, long-distance bus or private car, from the airport S-Bahn station terminal or airport long-distance station, car parks and Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (Central railway station), which long-distance buses also call at – the local transport company "Rheinbahn" will take one into and through the city in comfort.

In the Düsseldorf City area the Rheinbahn recommends the „TagesTicket“ (DaySaver Ticket) for 6.80 euro at price level A. With this ticket individual visitors or groups of visitors of up to five persons can travel cheaply, because it permits them to travel to the various event sites as often as they wish. The tickets are obtainable on the Internet at www.rheinbahn.de/shop or – the quickest way – direct with the Rheinbahn app (www.rheinbahn.de/app). There tickets can be paid for very conveniently by mobile phone invoicing, without registration.

The Rheinbahn’s network map for the Grand Départ weekend will be available from mid-May and all timetable data from the beginning of June at www.rheinbahn.de.

Rheinbahn management spokesman Michael Clausecker says, "The Rheinbahn wants to actively use this unique opportunity and show that bicycle and Rheinbahn offer the ideal link for more and more people. Our eye-catchingly branded vehicles run through the entire city and advertise the Grand Départ. That will be a real super-event for Düsseldorf and the area, and we look forward to being part of it."
 
... by long-distance bus or coach

Visitors can also travel by them to Düsseldorf for the Départ of the Tour de France Grand. For more information about travel to the event and a direct link to the provider, Flixbus, which calls at Düsseldorfer Hauptbahnhof (Central railway station), please go to: www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/gd-offers/
... by tourist bus (charter)

Düsseldorf Tourismus is offering coach tour operators an online reservation system for coach parking spaces, which has already proved successful during the Christmas market. Further information is available by emailing hospitality@duesseldorf-tourismus.de
... by private car

Route closures will already be put in place on Friday. Up until the end of the time trial at 16:45 and a certain period of time needed to take down the barriers on Saturday, 1st July, major restrictions are to be expected on general traffic in the city. The city districts of Carlstadt, Altstadt, Oberkassel south of Luegallee, "Weiße Siedlung" Golzheim, to left and right of Stockumer Kirchstraße, and the estate north of Beckbuschstraße will be closed to general traffic during this time.
Travel by private car – particularly into the city centre – for the 2nd stage is not to be recommended either. The 2nd stage of the Grand Départ will begin at 10:00 on Sunday, 2nd July, with the start of the publicity caravan at the Burgplatz. The race proper is set to start at 12:00. The period of unavoidable restrictions on general traffic in Düsseldorf will last from 07:30 until 16:00. The stage runs through the city districts of Altstadt, Carlstadt, Hafen, Unterbilk, Stadtmitte, Pempelfort, Düsseltal, Grafenberg, Gerresheim, Rath, Mörsenbroich, Derendorf, Niederkassel, Oberkassel, Lörick und Heerdt.

Visitors who feel they simply want to come by private car should make sure to reserve a parking space in advance. Each parking space will enclose one Rheinbahn day ticket for four persons which entitles holders to onward-travel to the Tour route. Enclosed with the confirmation of reservation will be a diagram of the final kilometre of the route to the event and GPS data. Reservation at: www.parkvogel.de/granddepart

For wheelchair users parking spaces will be set up in Maximilian-Weyhe-Allee, they can be easily reserved online. Provisionally 60 spaces will be available for use. If necessary, further spaces will be made available at the Aqua-Zoo. Reservation costs 5 euro fee and can be made online at: www.parkvogel.de/granddepart

Dr. Christian Jahncke, manager of SITA Airport IT GmbH ("Parkvogel") says, "We look forward to being permitted to assist Team Düsseldorf 2017 to host the Grand Départ. Parking on this week-end will be a challenge for every visitor. We offer all visitors facing this challenge, whether they are coming by private car or camper van, the opportunity to reserve their parking space in advance online at www.parkvogel.de. So visitors can travel here worryfree and just look forward to this unique event!"
... by camper van

Approximately 800 well equipped parking spaces will be available for camper vans in the Caravan Center of Messe Düsseldorf (area P1). The spaces are situated in the immediate vicinity of the start/finish area of the 1st stage. Reservations at: www.parkvogel.de/granddepart
 
... by bicycle

Those who very appropriately want to come by bicycle to Düsseldorf for the Grand Départ will very quickly find the best cycle route into the City of Düsseldorf at www.radroutenplaner.nrw.de. Details about accessibility for cyclists to the Tour route on the day of the 1st stage can be found on a cycle route map at

https://www.duesseldorf.de/fileadmin/Amt13/grand_depart/verkehr/Samstag_Radverkehr.pdf

In addition to the already existing bicycle parking facilities, the City of Düsseldorf will be offering a further 33,000 bicycle parking spaces at least around the track of the 1st stage of the Grand Départ. These will be grids where bicycles can be parked and locked. The parking facilities will be shown on a layout map and marked with signs at the parking point. The Altstadt (Old Town) can be reached and cycled through on Saturday, 1st July. Approach will be from the south via Apollo-Platz and Mannesmannufer. However, a north-south route right the way along the Rhine bank will not be possible. Between the "Oberkasseler Brücke" bridge and the "Messe" area (Fair Centre) the cycle route by the Rhine will be closed. From the north the start and finish point for the 1st stage can be reached via the Lohauser Deich or the Beckbuschstraße/Arena-Straße. The left and right banks of the Rhine will be accessible via the "Theodor-Heuss-Brücke" and the "Rheinkniebrücke" bridges, which are also a part of the diversion route for cyclists.

Cyclists can get to the 2nd stage of the Grand Départ by the available cycle paths and even cross the Tour route at any time, except when the publicity caravan, the support vehicles and the racers are passing through.

As a help for cyclists to navigate within the city area we recommend www.duesseldorf.de/radschlag or the RADschlag app (cycle guide app).
... by taxi

Taxis will be subject to the same restrictions as private car traffic on both days of the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017. Temporary taxi ranks will be set up in the vicinity of the stage route. Before starting their journeys visitors should find out from the taxi drivers whether they can take them all the way to their destinations.
 

Overnight stays in Düsseldorf

Hotel offers

For the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017, Düsseldorf Tourism has accommodation offers in selected hotels for Tour fans. The exclusive offer includes accommodation and breakfast in one of more than 50 hotels (all categories). The Grand Départ souvenir package can also be added as an optional extra – at a special price of 33 euros per person. It includes a DüsseldorfCard Tour Special (valid for three days), a Merian Düsseldorf travel guide, a Grand Départ T-shirt and a Grand Départ badge. Reservations can be made here: www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/gd-offers/
Camping

In addition to the camper van parks in the caravan centre in the "Messe" area (Trade Fair) there will also be suitable offers at campsites in Düsseldorf and the region.

• Campingplatz Lörick, Niederkasseler Deich 305, 40547 Düsseldorf

• Rheincamping Meerbusch, Zur Rheinfähre 21, 40668 Meerbusch

For further campsites in neighbouring towns, cities and districts please go to: https://www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/uebernachtung/campingplaetze/

VIP tickets for hospitality zones

Four "hospitality zones" are being made available for the 1st stage of the Tour de France 2017. In these visitors will be able to follow the individual time trial on Saturday, 1st July, in an exclusive atmosphere with a very varied choice of food and drink.
The following services will be offered in the hospitality zones:
•    an exclusive view of the Tour course
•    a varied choice of food
•    special offers for vegetarians
•    a choice of cold and hot drinks
•    large video screens showing a live broadcast of the race
•    commentary on and musical accompaniment to the event
The VIP ticket is also valid as a travel ticket for local public passenger transport in the area covered by the Verkehrsverbund VRR (VRR Transport Network), and every two tickets for the "Königsetappe 1 & 2" and "Allrounder" hospitality zones entitle holders to a parking permit.
Overview of the hospitality zones:

(1) "Königsetappe 1" (Royal Stage 1) – start/finish line
"Königsetappe 1" is the name of the hospitality zone offering the best atmosphere right by the starting and finish line at the "Messe" (Fair Centre). Tickets cost 550 euro each, plus VAT and charges.
Tickets are obtainable at www.westticket.de/granddepart
(2) "Königsetappe 2" (Royal Stage 2) – Tonhalle Düsseldorf (Concert Hall)
“Königsetappe 2” is the name of the premium hospitality zone by the Tonhalle, the central hub of the route. Price per ticket: 550 euros, plus VAT and fees.
Tickets can be bought at www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/hospitality
(3) "The Allrounder" – Rheinterrasse Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Rhine Terrace)
"The Allrounder" is the name of the hospitality zone at the Rheinterrasse that offers a large choice for every taste. Tickets cost 375 euro each, plus VAT and charges.
Tickets are obtainable at www.westticket.de/granddepart
(4) "Der Klassiker" (The Classic) - Königsallee
"Der Klassiker" is the name of the hospitality zone to be opened on the Königsallee, one of Germany’s most famous shopping malls. Tickets cost 210 euro each, plus VAT and charges.
Tickets are obtainable at www.westticket.de/granddepart
Contact: Nils Böringschulte; Phone : +49.(0)211.8928928; Email: hospitality@duesseldorf.de
Watching the event outside the hospitality zones is free.

More? Visit www.duesseldorf.de/international/letour