The Belle Epoque and the First World War: Industry, Sport, Utility and Leisure, 1903–1918
The Belle Epoque and the First World War: Industry, Sport, Utility and Leisure, 1903–1918
This chapter looks at a period of change for France known as the Belle Epoque which ran from the start of the nineteenth century to the end of the First World War. It was a period that saw a flourishing creativity in music, painting, literature and the decorative arts. It was a period of increased industrialization which led to significant growth of the working class who played a role in the promotion of cycling. It also discusses how the Belle Epoque of industry and technology in bicycle production steered the French economy and how the technology of two-wheeled vehicles contributed greatly to the modernization of French industrial processes. Specifically, the chapter talks about the famous Manufacture francais des armes et cycles and the founding of the Tour de France. It says that the Tour de France was perhaps the one most important event in the history of competitive cycling worldwide. Finally, it discusses how other forms of cycling such as utility cycling contributed to the modernization of French society.
Keywords: Belle Epoque, utility cycling, Tour de Frances, Manufacture francais des armes et cycles, competitive cycling, industrialization, French economy
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