The official reception of the Grand Départ at Schloss Benrath

The official reception of the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 started punctually at 8.30 pm within the framework of the most famous classic open-air event of the state capital, the Festival of Lights at Schloss Benrath. Mayor Thomas Geisel welcomed the first guests to the illuminated baroque Schloss which, today on Friday, 30 June, is entirely under the banner of the Grand Départ. Alongside the Tour-de-France officials, prominent international and national figures from politics, business, sport, culture and society were also invited. Marie-Odile Amaury, Présidente- Directrice Générale of the Groupe Amaury, will also sign the Golden Book of the state capital.

Mayor Thomas Geisel: "I am thrilled by the great atmosphere in the historic ambience of Schloss and Park Benrath with numerous international guests."

Düsseldorf’s good international relations and partnerships with other cities are extensively reflected in the guest list. Among others, the following prominent guests took up the invitation to the reception: Prince Albert II of Monaco, Christian Prudhomme, Directeur du Tour de France, Marie-Odile Amaury, as mentioned above, Présidente-Directrice Générale of the Groupe Amaury, Rose Williams, Mayor of Reading, Renata Kaznowska, Vice President of Warsaw, Jean-Claude Dardelet, Department of International and Cultural Affairs of Toulouse, Rudolf Scharping, President of the German cycling federation, Dr. Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, German Ambassador to France, Isabelle Berro-Amadei, Ambassador of Monaco, Dirk Brengelmann, German Ambassador to the Netherlands, Anne-Marie Descôtes, French Ambassador to Germany, Jan van Zanen, Mayor of Utrecht, Hubert Bruls, Mayor of Nijmegen, Hans Wilhelm Reiners, Mayor of Mönchengladbach, Barbara Ludwig, Mayor of Chemnitz, Maria Lorena Gutierrez Botero, Ambassador of Colombia, Jan Sobczak, Consul General to Poland, Andrea Milz, designated Secretary of State for Sport and Honorary Office NRW, André Kuper, President of the Houses of Parliament NRW, Jean-Etienne Amaury, Président Amaury Sport, Vincent Muller, Consul General of France, Susan Speller, Consul General of Great Britain, Brian Cookson, Président Union Cycliste Internationale.

Starting at 10 pm, all the guests will together enjoy the concert of the Düsseldorf Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Adam Fischer as the Principal Conductor. A romantically illuminated Schloss and a Schlosspark full of lights provide for a special ambience, which is added to by the guests who have brought along tea lights, candelabras and other candles. Just before midnight, the event will culminate in spectacular fireworks in the historic gardens.

All media information from the state capital of Düsseldorf to Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017 can be found on our media portal at www.duesseldorf.de/international/letour/media-portal.