The 2025 Tour de France will start from Lille on July 5 and our region will host three stages. But do you know that a northerner is hiding behind the official poster of the Grande Boucle? It is in fact Matthieu Prudhomme, originally from Wimereux in Pas-de-Calais and founder of the Wim' graphic agency, who designed it. Encounter.
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On July 5, the start of the 2025 Tour de France will be northern, just like its poster. Known for its neo-vintage drawings depicting cities and regions, the Wim' graphic agency, based in Wimereux in Pas-de-Calais, won the public vote. Its creator, Matthieu Prudhomme, is still on cloud nine.
This news energizes the small seaside resort of Wimereux, which is experiencing a first there. At number 19 rue Napoléon, on the facade of his agency, Matthieu Prudhomme unrolled a three-meter high tarpaulin, representing the poster for the Tour de France 2025. “I only realize now, when from my window, I see people taking photos and put thumbs up as congratulations“.
It all started at the end of May 2024. Matthieu receives a call from the Department of the North: “The region will host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, we know your work and we invite you to participate in the competition to create the official poster of the Tour de Francehe remembers. It was such an honor that I didn’t hesitate for a single moment!”
We started from a blank page, with a graphic charter to respect and fifteen days to create it.
Matthew PrudhommeFounder of the Wim' agency
Team work begins: “We listed what made up the DNA of the Tour de France and we retained strong words like: speed, sporting challenge and French heritage. Very quickly, we settled on speed, and our line of flight (what the viewer's eye catches) was the arrival on the Champs Élysées.”
“It was important to illustrate the symbols of the region in the spotlight; for the Grand Départ which takes place in Lille, the Belfry of the Chamber of Commerce stood out and it is also the highest point of several towns in the Hauts-de-France. Just like Gayant, the giant of Douai, the most represented in history books.”
“L’école belle” by the Wim’ agency submitted to public votes in July 2024.
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© Tour de France
The poster was put to public votes from July 16 to 21, 2024, along with four others. The next day, Matthieu learns that his has been selected! The Tour Organization (ASO) comes into the loop and another team effort begins. Compliance with the graphic charter in terms of colors, position of the logo and a recommendation: “that all the jerseys are represented. What we wanted above all is that by observing the poster, there are elements not visible at first glance but that by diving into it, we discover 'other details.'
The left part corresponding to the start of the race reveals carnivals, a slag heap and a headframe of the mining basin. Going to the right, cyclists escape from the peloton to climb the mountain, the graphic designer's favorite stages. Beyond the challenge, it's a way for him to discover the landscapes and make others want to go there.
I wanted it to look like a postcard.
Matthew PrudhommeFounder of the Wim' agency
Without forgetting the public. “NWe designed another legendary element of the tour,” s’amuse Matthieu. “El Diablo, the most emblematic German supporter of the Grande Boucle who travels the roads with his devil costume to encourage the runners”.
At the Palais des Congrès in Paris, the poster was revealed to an audience of 5,000 people on Tuesday October 29, 2024. “I didn't realize that we were working on a poster that would have a global impact. In familiar terms, it's a big slap in the face! It's the 112th edition of the Tour de France and thanks to this teamwork, I'm entering the closed circle of artists for a work with international influence”.
I want to thank everyone who voted for us, it's an honor that the region is represented!
Matthew PrudhommeFounder of the Wim' agency
Matthieu Prudhomme during the presentation of the Tour de France 2025 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
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© L. Beunaiche /FTV
An unforgettable day for this self-taught man, who first created posters to decorate his home in Lille. “You know, he confides, the highlight of the day was that Michel Drucker came to meet me. He congratulated me and said: “Bravo for the poster! ».”
A consecration for this talented creator:“It's okay, I can die now.”
And on July 5, 2025, Matthieu Prudhomme and his team, made up of five people, will attend the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on the cobblestones of Lille.
