Tour de France’s Grand Depart embarks on Brittany Ferries partnership

French shipping company Brittany Ferries has been named an official supporter of the 2016 Grand Départ, the event that marks the opening of the Tour de France cycling competition.

Brittany Ferries will work with event organisers Association du Grand Départ du Tour de France Manche-Normandie and the Amaury Sport Organisation.

The Grand Départ will commence on July 2 in Normandy in France, setting off from Mont St Michel (pictured) before travelling to the town of Cherbourg, a key Brittany Ferries port.

Jean-Francois Le Grand, president of the Association du Grand Départ du Tour de France Manche-Normandie, said: “Public-private partnerships are a vital element for the financing of any large event, and the Association of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2016 Manche Normandie has found the means to meet its ambitions.

“The company is a dynamic and constructive player in our region, so it’s completely logical that we find ourselves side by side today to ensure that this popular and unifying event is a collective success.”