Has anyone been in Paris for the finish of Tour de France? I will be there on a trip unrelated to the tour and have seen where the public can ride the final laps along the Champs-Elysees. Is this open to anyone? Do you need to be associated with an official tour group?
Also, I will not be able to spend the day holding a spot to view the riders, but is there anything else worthwhile to see? An expo of some sorts?
You can ride early in the morning as they are setting up (6-9am). There are parts by the finish line where they may direct you off the course (there are dirt paths in the park and parallel streets). They also probably won’t let you go through the tunnel by the Louvre (I’ve snuck through a couple times though). The easiest sections to ride are the Rue de Rivoli from Norwegian corner to the Place de la Concorde, and the upper section of the Champs where the shops are.
There will be tons of UK cyclotourists in club kits, so it’s easy to tack onto a group and follow their lead.
I’ve done it on one of those rental city bike clunkers, and it still a great experience.
For late-comer viewing, try the Champs right where the shops end and the park begins. You have a jumbotron to watch, and can look up to the Arc to see the racers (you also get to see them twice each lap). Up the Champs you have shops (i.e. drinks and bathrooms) and just down into the park are some expo booths (on the river side (S) of the Champs).
Also make sure to check out Norwegian corner by the Louvre, and just behind it is where all the team buses park…it’s the end of the Tour, so they are unloading all their excess schwag.
I never thought of that. When we were there many years ago I rode up the Champs, around the Arc and back down but that was just during the day so had to navigate traffic but I’d do that again in a heartbeat. Cycing in Europe is part of transportation. Unlike North America where you are a target.
You can ride early in the morning as they are setting up (6-9am). There are parts by the finish line where they may direct you off the course (there are dirt paths in the park and parallel streets). They also probably won’t let you go through the tunnel by the Louvre (I’ve snuck through a couple times though). The easiest sections to ride are the Rue de Rivoli from Norwegian corner to the Place de la Concorde, and the upper section of the Champs where the shops are.
There will be tons of UK cyclotourists in club kits, so it’s easy to tack onto a group and follow their lead.
I’ve done it on one of those rental city bike clunkers, and it still a great experience.
For late-comer viewing, try the Champs right where the shops end and the park begins. You have a jumbotron to watch, and can look up to the Arc to see the racers (you also get to see them twice each lap). Up the Champs you have shops (i.e. drinks and bathrooms) and just down into the park are some expo booths (on the river side (S) of the Champs).
Also make sure to check out Norwegian corner by the Louvre, and just behind it is where all the team buses park…it’s the end of the Tour, so they are unloading all their excess schwag.
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Thanks for the excellent information!
+1 on the “early ride”. After that you also become a target (Europe or not)
The city rental bikes are called velib: http://en.velib.paris.fr/
Cheap, safe, available in most popular spots and easy to drop off (different locations possible).
A nice ride in the Bois de Boulogne is also very pleasant (try the day time, night-time is for activities of another kind)
I knew about the early swag ( “la caravane”: fond memories of my childhood in Bordeaux) but the late swag is great to know as well.
Great tips all around!!!
Has anyone been in Paris for the finish of Tour de France? I will be there on a trip unrelated to the tour and have seen where the public can ride the final laps along the Champs-Elysees. Is this open to anyone? Do you need to be associated with an official tour group?
Also, I will not be able to spend the day holding a spot to view the riders, but is there anything else worthwhile to see? An expo of some sorts?
Been there & to Alp du Huez during the 2001 Tour. the Champs is bad ass, find somewhere to sit on near the Arc & you’ll get twice the pleasure. THe speed of the peleton will blow your mind.
Bandit!
no assvice it was still the berlin wall last time i was in europe but So Jealous! 
have a GREAT time!
I live in Europe and have been there before. It is amazing, speeds go up really high and you get to see them numerous times. This year, before the guys arive, there will be La Course: pro women (like world champion Marianne Vos) will ride at the Champs Elysees! Very thrilled about that!
Cheers and have fun in Paris!
Martijn