Google has posted a new feature to its Maps service which allows users to view the entire route of the Tour de France.

Users can traverse the 3,500km course stage-by-stage through the Street View function in Google Maps.

The angle places the user at street level and allows for complete 360-degree panning and zooming. Google said that the aim of the project was to offer a perspective similar to that of a cyclist in the race.

The map will cover all 21 stages of the race, which began on Saturday in the coastal town of Brest and ends on 27 July in the Champs Elysées in Paris.

"I am always amazed when I hear about the long, steep climbs through mountains or the blistering speeds of the cyclists as they pass through the French countryside," wrote Google product manager Stephen Chau.

"But since most of us can't head over there to watch it in person, we're giving you the next best thing."

The map also serves as a promotion to kick off Street View in the European version of Google Maps.

The service generated controversy when it debuted in the US and has been cause for concern with UK privacy groups.

Google has introduced features such as face-blurring software to help alleviate privacy concerns.