We planned a trip to Paris and found out that it's during the same time as Tour De France ends in Paris. Anyone have any tips for avoiding the crowd? In the RS France book it says to avoid Versailles on Sunday, but thought maybe perhaps we would do it the day the Tour ends in France to avoid crowds that day. Thoughts, or any other ideas?
Posted by
Chicago
8551 posts
Better yet, watch the Tour come in on the Champs Elysees -- it is very cool and because the riders circle the Champs 8 times, they come by (and the cheese cars and officials etc) 16 times as you watch so you actually get a chance to see them. Paris is a big city -- you will feel less crowded there than at Versailles where you are always a sardine.
Posted by
Paris
10193 posts
If you want to avoid the crowds, you need to avoid an area from the Arc de Triomphe down past the Tuileries. Several streets will be blocked off, and even, for a certain part of the afternoon, certain metro exits. But that leaves lots and lots of neighborhoods you can visit with ease.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
....tips for avoiding the crowd?
Friends of ours were in Paris that day in 1989 where Greg Lemond overcame a 50 second time deficit, beating Laurent Fignon by a cumulative time of 8 seconds to take the yellow jersey. Our friends were in Paris' Louvre Museum wondering where were the crowds.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I have been in town a few times for end of race. I avoid Champs , Concord and Louvre areas.. and barely even remember the race is on ..
I don't care what day you to Versailles in june, july, August or September, .. it will be insanely crowded each and every one.. promise.! Either go because you really want to go.. enjoy the grounds and history.. suffer through the crowds in the palace ( the grounds will not be crowded of course.. they are so huge) or avoid.. there is simply no quiet day at Versailles anymore. ( dead of winter.. yes.. maybe )