A minor storm erupted in France following the behavior of some Tour de France fans, after they were filmed climbing on graves in a local cemetery to watch the riders.
The incident took place on Sunday during the second stage of the race — a mountainous route approximately 212 km long from Lens-Plage to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. The stage included tough climbs, open crosswinds, and two steep ascents in the final ten kilometers — a route suitable for explosive riders or a small finishing group.
About 8.6 km before the finish line, hundreds of fans gathered near the eastern cemetery of Boulogne-sur-Mer to get a closer view of the passing riders. Many of them were seen stepping or climbing on graves, behind the advertising boards — an act that sparked major outrage on social media.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "They don’t even realize they are standing on graves. Not out of hatred — but because they simply no longer know what respect is."
Another added: "They have no respect — neither for the living nor for the dead."
A third tweeted: "Total lack of respect. I just hope they’re standing on the ground between the graves and the road."
A local resident summed it up: "This shames the people of my city."
Earlier that day, the French cycling team Cofidis reported a theft from their truck — 11 bicycles were stolen after the opening stage of the race. In the team’s statement, it was said that the door of the equipment truck was broken into, and despite security measures, Look bikes worth nearly 140,000 euros were taken.