In Paris for Tour de France last Stage

We were there for the final stage in Paris (when Lance won - and before his fall from grace) and loved every minute. We were in the south west corner of the Tuileries Gardens which is up high from the street below giving a good view. It also has a waist-high stone wall so no one can get in front of you. Anyplace where there is a corner is good because they have to slow down a bit... but honestly, anywhere, if you're out in front will be enjoyable. You have to be die hard fans though because you have to get there at least 4 hrs before they come through to be in front where no one can get in front of you and you have to defend your "spot" the whole time. A bonus of being at the western end of the TG is that there is a public restroom there. When we got there, we couldn't figure out how to get on the Champs Elysees because they had it all blocked off at the end by Place de la Concorde. If you walked onto the Champs at the western end or the middle, you probably could get there. Look at a map... really anywhere along the route is good. They go around 10 times (?) so even though they go by FAST and the peloton is a blur, at least you get to see them over and over. The atmosphere is really fun and festive and we have great memories of that day. Don't forget water, food and sunblock!

We were in Paris for the last stage a few years back and it was great! We staked out a spot on the Champs Elysees 4 hours before the festivities began and were lucky to get a spot! We were about 1/2 way up the road in between the edge of the Tuilleries and the Arc de Triomphe on the north side of the street. We were also fortunate to get a spot under a tree in the shade! We brought along plenty of water and snacks and just camped out until the sponsors rolled through. Then about an hour later the peloton came through and sped by 10 times...it was amazing to see! After the race was over we walked down to the area where they award the final shirts/flowers/etc and were able to get close enough to see most everything that was going on with the awards ceremony.The one challenge was finding a restroom...we weren't too far from the McDonald's so would go in, buy something, and use the facilities. Keep this in mind because you'll be there for hours and hours by the time it's all over!

We drove from Germany on a whim to be there on the Champs Elysees for Lance's last. They circle ten times, so technically you get to watch the blur pass twenty times. As the peloton passes by, the whole crowd rises on tippy toes en masse, so you can't see a dang thing, but it's all tres exciting!

Thanks for the info, all! I am going to be in Paris to see le Tour finish; its been a dream for years.
--Jenn

I haven't done the Fat Tire TdF ride, but I have done a daytime Paris Fat Tire ride and it was fun. I'd love to do the TdF one.

The great thing about watching the Tour come in on the Champs Elysees is that the bikes (and the entourage of cheese cars and such that precede them) goes by 16 times, so you really do get to see the riders even as they whiz by so quickly.

Thanks, all!

Yes, thank you everyone.
Still looking for feedback on the Fat Tire tour if anyone has done it for the TdF. Maybe it is new this year?