Wikipedia
Paris–Rouen was the first cycle race covering a distance between two cities. It was held between the cities of Paris and Rouen on 7 November 1869. The winner of the inaugural race was an Englishman living in Paris, James Moore, who rode the 123 kilometres dividing both cities in 10 hours and 40 minutes, including time spent walking his bicycle up the steeper hills.
The event was organized by the fortnightly cycling magazine Le Vélocipède Illustré and the Olivier brothers, owners of a bicycle manufacturer company called The Michaux Company. They were delighted with the success of short races held in Parc de Saint Cloud, Paris and on 7 November they promoted a race between Paris and Rouen, covering a distance of 123 kilometres. The first prize was one thousand gold francs and a bicycle. The rules of the race said that the riders were not to be pulled by a dog or use sails.
A total of 120 riders, including two women, participated in the race but just 32 finished within 24 hours. James Moore won, finishing 15 minutes ahead of Castera and Bobillier. The first woman, referred to as Miss America, finishing in 29th position - 12 hours and 10 minutes after Moore.
The race was not held after the outbreak of Franco-Prussian War in 1870, but it later returned as an amateur race. The centenary was commemorated on 12 May 1969, and was won by Régis Delepine, who received the same prize as James Moore, one thousand gold francs equivalent to 50 Louis.
Paris–Rouen, Le Petit Journal Horseless Carriages Contest (Concours du 'Petit Journal' Les Voitures sans Chevaux), was a pioneering city-to-city motoring competition in 1894 which is sometimes described as the world's first competitive motor race.
The contest was organised by the newspaper Le Petit Journal and run from Paris to Rouen in France on 22 July 1894. It was preceded by four days of vehicle exhibition and qualifying events that created great crowds and excitement. The eight qualifying events started near the Bois de Boulogne and comprised interwoven routes around Paris to select the entrants for the main event.
The first driver across the finishing line at Rouen was " le Comte de Dion" but he did not win the main prize because his steam vehicle needed a 'stoker' and was thus ineligible. The fastest petrol powered car was a Peugeot driven by Albert Lemaître. The premier prize, the 5,000 franc Prix du Petit Journal, for 'the competitor whose car comes closest to the ideal' was shared equally by manufacturers Panhard et Levassor and Les fils de Peugeot frères ("The sons of Peugeot brothers"), with vehicles that were 'easy to use'.
Paris–Rouen may refer to:
- Paris–Rouen (cycle race), completed for the first time in 1869.
- Paris–Rouen (motor race), completed in 1894.
- Open May 3, 1843, is the first part of the railway line Paris-Le Havre.