closetbiker

... the last day of the Tour?

I'm planning on going this July and want to know some particulars such as, when does it wrap up?

I have to get back to London later in the day and want to know how much time I have to make it back to the Eurostar Station.

Quel

Um, just looking at last year's race website...looks like they crossed the line in Paris around 5:30pm, their time.

HigherGround

I forget what time it finished, but plan on getting there early. I arrived several hours before the race was due to arrive, and it was already packed 2 - 3 people deep pretty much everywhere I went on the course. I parked further out and rode my bike to the race, which was a bit of a hassle when trying to maneuver through the crowd.

closetbiker

googled a question on when it wraps up and found this -

https://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-de-france.cfm

So I'm guessing it'll be about 5 when the race ends, and then there's the presentations.

I should check (or does anyone know) where the station is in relation to the Arc?

I guess I better take a later train than the 5:30...

Metzinger

I plugged Arc de Triomphe and Gare du Nord into the Paris transit route planner and got this:

closetbiker

I better check the ticket my daughter bought. I hope I can change departure time if it doesn't jive.

lukasz

Rebooking a Eurostar is more expensive than the initial booking (if you book by web, etc) so take the latest train possible. Ask me how I know--or don't. At worst you'll sit around a cafe in the gare for a while.

rogwilco

5:30 seems very close to me. Gare du Nord isn't too far away from the Arc, but maybe you don't want to leave exactly the moment the cyclists cross the finish line or so. And the metro could be very full.

closetbiker

checked and my departure isn't until 6:15.

I don't want to stay too late and get caught up in all the traffic, so if i leave right after the finish, I should be OK.

Now, would a taxi be faster than the Metro? Noprmally I'd bet yes, but with all those people, I don't know.

Plainsman

Seconding the reply that says the crowds fill up in a hurry. I was there last Summer and was surprised at how things changed rapidly. One moment there were open faces at the railing everywhere, the next it was 3-4 people deep. We found a good spot near the arc right at the turnaround, which was nice since you got to see everyone twice for each lap.

closetbiker

How long does it take for the crowds to subside once the race is over?

Racer Ex 

FYI they shut down the train station stops a few hours before.

Get there at least 4 hours early if you want a decent viewpoint, though we did find some decent places on the backside of the course.

jeffpoulin

I live in the French alps and usually get to watch a stage or two each year. On a mountain-top stage finish, spectators have to arrive VERY early. Lots of people camp out the night before then wait all the next day. The crowds can easily be 10-deep for the last kilometer. If you're just going to some random spot, you don't have to be early, but then the peloton passes in about 5 seconds. For the finish in Paris, I imagine it would be similar to a mountain-top stage finish.

closetbiker

I'm arriving the day before and planning to line up early on Sunday. I just have to plot out my space on a map before I go.

closetbiker

OK, so I see Gare du nord on google maps in relation to the Arc.

Now, am I right in assuming the laps the riders take in Paris is on Av Foch?

rogwilco

No, they go down the champs elysees to place de la concorde.

closetbiker

Ooops. Right . Any rookie should know that.

I've watched it on TV every year since Stephen Roche won.

I was just looking at a map and plotting my escape route, trying to figure out where it'll be most crowed.

tulip

It will be crowded everywhere. What's the rush? Stay and enjoy the party!

closetbiker

I'd love to, but my daughter will have to be back at work in London the next morning and I have to be back at work in Vancouver the day after that.

San Rensho 

Alright, I'm dating myself, but I saw the TDF finish in 1979. Bernard Hinault won that year. It was surprisingly not that crowded, but the Champs Elysee is pretty huge. It was cool how easy it was to mingle with the riders after the race. Definitely do it, the finale is certainly the most watchable if not the most exiting stage, since its several laps followed by a killer sprint.

I recently acquired the Miroir du Cyclisme TDF summary edition for 79. Lets say its quaint compared to mag coverage today.

closetbiker

does the final sprint happen close to the arc, or the place de la concorde?

closetbiker

It happened at the Place de la Concorde.

I'm back. I had a whirlwind trip, but it was worth it.

I spent all day Saturday walking and taking the metro everywhere, but on Sunday, I headed to the Arc and stuck out my spot on the Champs de Elysees. I also took some pics.

Before i get to le tour, I have to mention how prevalent the Velib system is in Paris. These bikes make up a significant percentage of cycling on the streets. I didn't count or anything, but if I had to guess, I'd say they made up close to half the bikes I saw.

Stations are everywhere and some of them are more full than others



People rode them everywhere, even in the heaviest of traffic



OK, so on to the tour.

As I said, I got off the metro at the Arc



and the course extended down to the Place de la Concorde



the TV cameras were set in place



and the stands were in place for the VIPs at the finish

closetbiker

we looked for a spot along the road



and saw something neat along the way



finally found a space with a view to wait away almost 4 hours



and finally the parade started



the race came about an hour after the parade



I even managed to get a shot of the yellow jersey



after that, it was a mad dash through the Metro to get to the station on time, but we didn't. We got there late, but were lucky, as our train was late, so we had a few minutes to spare.

It was a great time.

NathanL

Cool pics. But I gotta say it does look like in the parade the yellow jersey rider is molesting the car....

In one of the pics someone is pulling up another guy onto a balcony, did he fall or is he just looking for a better spot? Maybe I've been to Mardi Gras too many times is why I tought maybe he fell.

closetbiker

There were a lot of floats and some of them were pretty funny.

One float was advertising for washing detergent and featured male strippers.

That guy was being helped up onto the ledge for better viewing.