After the 1972 Tour de France, there were rumours that the 1973 Tour would become easier, to suit French cyclist Cyrille Guimard better. However, when the 1973 Tour route was announced in December 1972, the organisation had included three more mountains compared to 1972. The race started on 30 June, and had two rest days, in Divonne-les-Bains and Bolquères Pyrenees 2000. The highest point of elevation in the race was at the summit tunnel of the Col du Galibier mountain pass on stage 8.