RIRview

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Paris to coincide with the TdF. She's been to Paris many times, and she speaks French, so I'll have my own tour guide, so to speak. Especially since this is the 100th anniversary of Le Tour, we want to be there for the finish on the Champs Elysees. There are tour operators who are offering grandstand packages, but the cost is VERY expensive. On the other hand, I've seen the finish on television many times, and there are thousands lining the route. If you're not in front, it seems that you won't see anything, which would be a shame considering this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Anyone been there who can offer advice? Thanks.

Johnny Rad

I understand from a friend who visited and showed me pics that unless you're in the front couple of "rows" standing on the side of the street, it's incredibly difficult to see anything yourself. The masses are a dozen or more deep nearly everywhere on the final laps. Not to mention, the riders are absolutely blitzing through town - whether up or down the Champs. He did say there's lots of giant TV's set-up for viewing. He also mentioned that it's an all day affair with the publicity tour beforehand. Congrats and enjoy!

Pistard

I have been to several finishes, and etapes, I like the stages much better, its free and you can find decent spots, just remember once they pass, its over as far as that action, plenty of other craziness, I thing you will like the carneval atmosphere, very different from any US race. When I grew up in France, we hit the jackpot one Year right in Front of our house, few Years later in front of granpas house, block party it is. Home sick every July...

THSdrummer

We had a foreign exchange student stay with my family recently. He watches a stage live every year. He said he was out there 7 hours early to get a spot to see them on a stage, and that was just a normal stage (he did not mention where he watched this stage).

HigherGround

I went there in 2004, and I saw the final stage (along with Alpe d'Huez and others). At least with the final stage, you get to see multiple laps, rather than watching them pass once and being done. The final stage was very crowded, so get there as early as you can. The final stage will be finishing later than usual this year, around sunset, so it may be more crowded than usual. Along with the locals, I resorted to standing on the first floor window ledge of a building, which the gendarmes did not particularly appreciate. Bring food and something to drink so that once you have a good spot, hopefully you won't have to leave. I also regretted wearing sandals, because my feet were getting stepped on in the crowd. I had parked a bit away from the commotion, rode my bike in, and then wheeled it around with me; that was also a bit awkward, but I also got to ride around the Arc d'Triomphe and to see a bit more of the city.

Good luck, and post pics for us!

c0lnago

Yes...many times. You need to get out there early and plan to stand/sit around the entire day if you want a spot on a rail. Without a rail spot you'll be hard pressed to see much. Bring some very small pack chairs.

save10

I've been - i'm not sure i'd pay for a grandstand seat. i was over by the Louvre and it wasnt particularly difficult to get a rail spot. we were their early, but not super early.

Biscayne05

When you guys say "early" how early are we talking about @ CE? Crazy 'tards lining up for the new iPhone/Halo/insert nerdy stuff here? Because that's about half a day's-full day of wait.

I have this on my bucketlist for next year.

topflightpro

My parents went about 15 years ago - They happened to be in Paris at the time and decided to go. They said the crowds about 15 people deep and all they could see were helmets zipping by every so often.