Past and Present: Auberge du Réveil-Matin, Montgeron, France.

The City of Montgeron with a population of over 23,000 is situated in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris, France, approximately 18 kilometres from the city centre. It is a historic suburb in which the Paris-Marseille railway has passed through its northeast side since 1849. But it is far more famous for being the Grand Depart of first ever Tour de France on July 1 in 1903. More specifically it was the Auberge du Réveil-Matin situated at the crossroads of Avenue de Paris and Rue de Corbeil which was the starting point of the race.

Past.

There isn’t a lot I can tell you about the historic late 19th or early 20th century postcard of the Réveil-Matin here above, other than that it likely served as a quaint meeting place or neighbourhood inn for Montgeron locals who could share a meal, coffee or beer together. Its box-like design was likely driven by practicality, to utilise space and keep building costs down. Interestingly, in French “au réveil matin” translates into English as “When waking up in the morning.” As for its surrounds, the crossroads of Avenue de Paris and Rue de Corbeil which veers to the right are both dirt roads here which would have carried both bicycle and horse drawn carriage traffic. Notably the main avenue is lined with chestnut trees which defined the Tour de France’s first start line in 1903. Interestingly, in 1903 the small village or township of Montgeron was home to some 3000 people.

Present.

To commemorate the centenary of the start of the first ever Tour de France in 2003, a metal sculpture forged into the shape of a cyclist was erected at what is now known as the Réveil-Matin roundabout, in front of the inn that gave its name. In a strange way the site which sits on the corner of the Rte de Corbeil and the Avenue Jean Jaurès has reinvigorated the fortunes of the Réveil-Matin making it a perfect pitstop and or pilgrimage stopover to many amateur cyclists interested in its TDF history. In recent years pro cycling enthusiasts remember the Réveil-Matin in Montgeron as being the starting point of the final stage of the 2017 Tour de France.

Today, while the silhouette of the Réveil-Matin is the same as in the late nineteenth century, a lot has changed around it especially with the commission of the famous roundabout and the sealed paved roads. A major motorway (N6) also runs adjacent to the Réveil-Matin which tourists from Paris can travel upon to reach Montgeron. The most obvious add-on to the Réveil-Matin is the extension to its right which acts as the famous establishment’s restaurant seating area. Inside, a homage to the Tour is also on display with an array of memorabilia.