Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale

Various professional women's cycle stage races across France have been held as an equivalent to the Tour de France for women, with the first of these races staged as a one off in 1955. From 1984, a women's Tour de France was staged consistently, although the name of the event changed several times - such as Tour de France Féminin, Tour of the EEC Women, Tour Cycliste Féminin and Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale.

Over the years, the races struggled with various issues including financial difficulties, limited media coverage, sexism and trademark difficulties with Amaury Sport Organisation (the organisers of the Tour de France). The last Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale took place in 2009.

In 2014, following criticism and campaigning from the professional peloton, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) - the organiser of the Tour de France - launched a one-day race for the professional peloton (La Course by Le Tour de France). In 2022, La Course was replaced by Tour de France Femmes, a 8-day stage race in the UCI Women's World Tour. The launch of the Tour de France Femmes was praised by the media, campaigners and the professional peloton.

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