 The Souvenir Henri Desgrange was given in honour of Tour founder Henri Desgrange to the first rider to pass a point by his final residence, the "Villa Mia" in Beauvallon, Grimaud, on the French Riviera on stage 16.This prize was won by Claude Colette.The 1953 Tour de France had two young rider making their debuts, Charly Gaul and André Darrigade.