Originally Posted by
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.
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.