The beauty of the cars that make up the cavalcade of the Tour Auto Optic 2000 has played a major role in its success, but it’s not the only reason. The cognoscenti are all on the lookout for a road book of the event, no matter what year. But why? For the quality of the roads taken, the landscapes, the pleasure of driving, the heritage and the recipe of the itinerary, which is never the same The route of the 30th edition is no exception to the rule with 1930 kilometres of sheer happiness on the most beautiful roads in France on the programme.
From Paris, destination the East
This year’s Tour Auto Optic 2000 adventure begins in a completely new setting, the Grand-Palais Ephémère on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris. This will give the general public a day’s opportunity on Monday 19th April to admire all the cars taking part in the 30th event. In the early morning of Tuesday 20th April, while Paris is still asleep, the 200 cars will leave the capital and head for the Château de Courances where the official start of the rally will be given.
With the event now under way all the competitors will set out on a five-day journey to conquer four circuits (Dijon-Prenois, Bresse, Lédenon and Paul-Ricard) and 10 special stages. This itinerary will bring the cavalade to the east of France (Beaune, Aix-les-Bains) before finishing in the south (Valence, Nîmes, Nice).
… Nice, a no-brainer for this anniversary edition
Nice is a symbolic city of arrival for the rally. Whether it is the historic version of the rally or the Tour de France Automobile, the two events have a past steeped in history with Nissa la Bella that goes back to 1951! At the time, the Nice Automobile Club revived the Tour de France Automobile by taking over its organisation until 1986. Again in 1992 thanks to the help of the A.C.N, Patrick Peter and his teams were able to relaunch the event in its historic format. So passing under the arch in the beautiful town of Nice is a no-brainer for the 30th edition of the Tour Auto Optic 2000. A marvellous homage to the deep friendship that links the collector car world to Nice and its Automobile Club.
The detailed itinerary with the passage times in the communes will be announced on 31st March 2021.
In short
Leg 1 – Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Paris – Beaune
399 kilometers
+ Official start from the Château de Courances
+ Circuit de Dijon-Prenois
+ One special stage
Leg 2 – Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Beaune – Aix-les-Bains
322 kilometers
+ Circuit de Bresse
+ Two special stages
Leg 3 – Thursday, April 22, 2021
Aix-les-Bains – Valence
446 kilometers
+ Three special stages
Leg 4 – Friday, April 23, 2021
Valence – Nîmes
289 kilometers
+ Circuit de Lédenon
+ Two special stages
Leg 5 – Saturday, April 24, 2021
Nîmes – Nice
474 kilometers
+ Circuit Paul-Ricard
+ Two special stages
