Cycling enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the start of the Tour de France, the most famous and prestigious cycling race in the world. First staged in 1903, the three week race takes riders through the French countryside as well as nearby countries. This year the 99th annual Tour de France runs from Saturday, June 30th to Sunday, July 22nd. It’s fun to see the riders go by in any of the stages during the race, but one of the most exciting ways to experience the Tour de France is by watching the final stage of the race as the riders zoom through the streets of Paris on their way to the finish line along the Champs-Élysées.
Watch the Tour de France along the Seine River in Paris. Photo courtesy Stunned.
There are many great spots to watch the Tour de France in Paris, but the most exciting and emotional is along the Champs-Élysées where the riders make several passes before the final race to the finish line. The crowds will be the most intense and packed near the Arc de Triomphe, but that’s the spot to head to if you love to be right in the middle of the action. For a bit more space, head to the other end of the Champs-Élysées near the Place de la Concorde. From the Tuileries gardens you can get a great view of the riders on the quai along the Seine (above).
Looking along the packed Champs-Élysées toward Place de la Concorde. Photo courtesy Frans de Wit
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching the riders go past at such a close distance along the Champs-Élysées. However, if you don’t feel like joining the crowds, many cafés and restaurants in Paris will be showing the final stage of the race in Paris on Sunday, July 22nd. The setting is still lively, fun and an unforgettable experience. Even if you’re not a huge cycling fan, the thrill of watching the Tour de France has been known to convert many spectators to lifelong enthusiasts!
See the riders zoom by close up along the Champs-Élysées. Photo courtesy Frans de Wit.
If you’re planning a last minute trip to see the Tour de France grand finale in Paris this July, we invite you to visit our vacation rentals in Paris that still have availability. Don’t miss the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of the Tour de France in Paris!
What an insightful post! Thanks for sharing such information. I always thought how hard it must be to see the riders when they pass by you fast. I like the idea of going to those cafes and enjoying the competition while they’re cycling in front of you.
Rahman Mehraby
Culture Tours at “Destination Iran”