Tour de France Route Illustration

A Tour de France route illustration, tracing the peloton’s progress from french coast to french capital

The Starting Line

In collaboration with a cross-channel ferry company's onboard magazine, I created a Tour de France Route Map Illustration to engage passengers with the upcoming race- the starting line set in lovely Normandy, where the ferry was set to dock.

France is huge! And the complexity of the cycling route, with its twists and turns (not to mention stops and starts of the stages), meant I had loads of detailed geo-data to share.

Here they come! Illustrated Tour de France cyclists, yellow jersey leading the peloton with the King of the Mountains hot on his heels.

Energising the Organised Layout

When a project requires a systematically organised layout, I think the real skill is… diguising it! Infusing the overall illustration with energy and flair (so that the tight planning is unnoticeable) is what makes the experience of information absorption feel effortless for viewers.

Problem Solving Through Map Design

We decided that I should neatly label the majority of locations (this way of working always reminds me of putting pins on a map, so satisfying). This paced the route and kept information overload at bay.

I then highlighted key locations with illustration and lettering, bringing them right to the front of the information hierarchy. Which, when you think about it, is bit like the leaders at the front of the Peloton!

Normandy Locator Map for Tour de France

I also created a simplified, limited-colour locator, highlighting the Normandy stretch of the Tour de France, created as an additional visual aid to complement the main route drawing.

Timeless Cycling Imagery

I loved using modernist letters and forms for this event, which originally kicked off in the early 20th century. I kept the illustrations compact and bold so tiny details wouldn't get lost. My goal was to capture the colourful design associations of ‘La Grande Boucle’ and the vintage vibes of cycling, especially with that legendary yellow jersey.

Mont Ventoux, known as the ‘Giant of Provence’

I wanted to depict how steep the summit is; so I made the lettering look like it’s climbing up!

I set off on a tour of France of my own (virtual) exploring locations to showcase the unique character and landscapes of each region. I find that attention to detail and joy in research always helps the direction of a project. With the right choice of visual you can say everything in just a few components.

Digital collage of the Pont Vieux in Montauban

I enjoyed illustrating the way scenery changes from modern to medieval in just a few kilometres

Visual Storytelling and Emotional Connection

This Tour de France Route Map Illustration was crafted not only to inform passengers but to inspire them! So my illustration superpower of masking a fastidiously organised structure with an energetic illustration style came into its own. By incorporating vibrant colour palettes and vintage textures, I wanted the map to not only highlight key stages of the race but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and adventure. I hope this moment of emotional connection was a treat for travellers on their voyage across the English Channel (aka La Manche).

Join the Journey!

Want to see more illustrated maps in different styles and settings? Head over to my dedicated map illustration page for more examples.
If you're looking for custom illustrations that tell visual stories with personality, let's chat!