How do cultural mega-events influence political behavior, particularly in areas perceived as economically or socially "left behind"? This paper examines the political consequences of hosting the Tour de France, a globally celebrated cultural and sporting event, using a staggered difference-in-differences design centered on French municipalities. We find that hosting the Tour reduces support for far-right and far-left parties, while boosting votes for traditional left and right parties, signaling a depolarizing effect in local political preferences. Exploring potential mechanisms, we identify positive economic effects in host areas suggesting that the event alleviates some grievances linked to economic marginalization. These findings highlight the role of cultural events in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly in regions often characterized by discontent and populist politics. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how cultural interventions can reconfigure political dynamics in economically and socially disadvantaged areas.