Paris, France — One of the most colorful segments of the Tour de France bicycle race happens when the whimsical caravans lead the way into the towns, villages and countryside as the race wends its way around the hexagon. The race, arguably the most famous in the world and one of the most grueling, winds up in Paris tomorrow on the Champs-Elysées after climbing up the hill of Montmartre for the first time, actually three times up, and too narrow for the caravans to lead the way. This year’s race saw the gleaming Panzani caravans cruise around for the first time in many years as the house of pasta making became an official partner of the Tour, as the race is affectionately known. The French pasta maker sent five caravans in blazing green and red colors around the land during the race’s 21 legs celebrating France’s durum wheat flour sector while putting in the spotlight the fields where the wheat grows and those that cultivate it. 

Panzani, a leading pasta brand in France, was founded 75 years ago in France by Giovanni Panzani, an Italian passionate about pasta. Today the French brand continues the work of Giovanni who became Jean upon being naturalised French, bringing whole wheat pasta products and sauces to consumers in France and into 62 countries around the world. Panzani made the decision in 2019 to use only French durum wheat for its pasta that is made in France. The durum wheat is produced by 3,500 farmers who partner with Panzani, cultivating some 124,000 acres (50,000 hectares) of farm land throughout France. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette  https://www.panzani.com