We have flexible plans to check out the Tour this year - the first time for me and my wife. We are considering being in Paris for the final day somewhere on the Champs, but wondering logistically, if this is a prudent idea. Our plans are still being formed, so perhaps we’ll be just as content checking out a famous climb.
For those who have been there, give a summary of what to expect and if its more of a headache than reward. We don’t exactly plan to be in France for the bulk of the trip, 2 days tops. The rest of the time will be in nearby Switzerland or Austria. We’re aware one of the Stages starts in Martagny which would be convenient if in Switz. but its just the start of the day.
Interested to hear of your stories of Paris on the final day.
A couple of friends followed the Tour a couple of years ago. They said Paris was the icing on the cake, sitting in an outdoor cafe with a glass of red wine watching the cyclists fly by a few feet away. They brought back some good video to show the roadie group.
Not sure how you are travelling but they were on a Tour specific travel package where they rode stages the day before the race and then watched the next day. Everything was planned in advance including transportation and accomodations. It finished off in Paris and they flew home from there a day or two later.
Their whole trip was focused on the Tour, which I assume isn’t your case? Tough call if it’s a choice between Paris and the Alp d’Huez.
thanks for the response. Yes, our trip will not be centered around the Tour, or let alone France. We’ll just likely be in the area and if its feasible, slip over to Paris.
We plan to manage/plan this on our own without a group tour/package or riding any part of the course.
Was there in 2004 and 2005. Quite a scene. They have it so closed off its hard to get a good spot. My only suggestion is to get a spot early, then fight like hell to keep it.
If you could somehow get on top of the Arc d’ Triomphe, which you can during the week normally through a rather dingy and weird staircase, it would be simply epic to watch from there. I doubt that’s open on Tour day since I’ve never heard of anyone watching from up there.
Have been planning to be in Paris that day myself, to get some images and enjoy the atmosphere. Have a mate who has a house 5 mins wlak from the Champs elysee so hope to stay there again.
So will be trying to sort my accomadation for Paris that day a few months before.
The first day, individual time trial in Monaco would be great to see also. My photographer friend from Nice is going to get a few images for me there also. I could go there also, but am on a budget.
I was in Paris for the last day of the tour the year Lance won it the 5th time. I had no idea what to expect, except crowds.
It was a lot of fun. Except I had my wallet stolen.
I was in France for 2 weeks leading up to that. The first week in Paris for work and then did some traveling around France and made it back to Paris to see the final stage. The entire time I was in France nobody harassed me. But I made a point of blending in and I speak French. When I was on the street a few people asked me for directions, so I apparently blended pretty well. The day of the final stage someone gave me an American flag. I stuffed the stick in my purse and went to the Champs E’lyse’es. I found a nice bunch of Canadians who had a good position, they invited me to join them. They were cheering for Lance too.
Right as the peleton went by the first time, this big fat hairy guy kept pushing himself towards the front row of people. He was rubbing himself against me and either he had a very ripe banana in his pocket, or well you get the point, I put my elbow behind me to give me some space and because of that I left my purse unprotected. Finally some of the people I was standing with noticed what was going on and yelled at him. During this time there was another guy with him and I think he pick pocketed me. Needless to say I missed the peleton going by the first time. After the final lap we all went to a bar and that’s when I realized my wallet was gone. Fortunately I had a credit card stashed in another pocket and was in France on military orders so I could use my military ID card at the airport to get on the plane.
Despite all that, it was a great time and I had a lot of fun. I hope some day to get to go back and see more of the tour (and more of France).
It was really crowded, but the further from the Arc de Triumph, the thinner the crowds. I had no problem getting right up front behind the barricades. I don’t remember the subway being really crowded going or leaving. I think I had a room at the Hilton by the Eifel tower and the subway was easy enough to use.
I was in Paris last year with my family and I just happened to be there for the last day of the tour (really, honey, I had no idea!). Yes, it’s crowded, but it is VERY COOL. The biggest pita is that they don’t let you cross the street from mid-morning on, so if you want to get anywhere, it takes some planning. We wound up taking the metro (free for the day) up to the Champs, and then walking towards the Arch. We found a cafe about 2 blocks off the Champs where we enjoyed our $15 beers, ice cream and just killed time. The race was on tv at the bar, so we knew just when to leave the cafe and we walked back to the champs. We would up about 500 meters down from the Arch, and even though it was very crowded, we were able to see fine. If you watch from the Champs, you get to see everyone go past both ways, so it’s a good spot. Definitely worth the day. Have fun.
