[1] 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).

The launch of the Tour de France Femmes was praised by the media, campaigners and the professional peloton.

féminin, the race ran for a further four editions albeit with no connection to the Tour de France, through to the 1993 season.

The race also received a lower classification by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and had a reduced field.

[1] [km] French women's stage racing continued after the Grande Boucle ceased after the 2009 edition, with at least two further stage races - the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin and the Route de France Féminine.

[13] Since 2003, the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche has been held as a multi day stage race in southeastern France in the Ardèche region.

In subsequent years, the race took place in a variety of locations such as Pau, Col de la Colombière and Col d'Izoard in conjunction with the men's race, as the ASO argued that this was the "best way to shine a light on female cycling".

[22][23] ASO stated that logistical issues mean that a men's and women's Tour de France would not be able to be staged simultaneously,[18] and that any race must be financially sustainable.

[22][24] In June 2021, ASO announced that they would launch a new women's stage race, Tour de France Femmes.