Tour de France viewing advice

I saw the finish of the 2009 Tour de France in Paris. I watched on the Rue de Rivoli between when they come out of the tunnel and before the Champs de Élysées. It was a great spot to watch the race as they passed by 6 or 7 times. I have some recommendations for your viewing. First, get a spot early if you want to sit. I got their about 3 hours early and had to stand the whole time as the spots along the curb were taken. Second, scout out the spot where you want to watch from the day before. I didn't and just ended up following the crowd. The metro exit that I wanted to come out of was closed in the direction I wanted to exit so it helps if you know how to get where you want to go from multiple exits from the for the particular metro stop. Next, make sure you are not looking into the sun. I had the sun to my back. I felt sorry for those looking into the sun. Take a daypack full of water and snacks, but don't drink too much because if you leave for a restroom, you will never make it back to your viewing spot because of the crowds. I had the Tuileries Gardens at my back. After two laps someone left their spot along the fence and I was able to stand up on the ledge for a great view. One of the advantages of getting there early is you get to watch the parade of vehicles, buses, floats, etc. They exit the route near the end of the Rue de Rivoli.

I have watched the race ever year for the last 15 years on TV. I noticed from the last couple of years that there were very few people at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. You might want to ask the day before if it is open for viewing. It would be a great spot.

I have been to Paris three times. I found Paris to be far less crowed two days after the race than on any other visit. I didn't expect that. It seemed like everyone left after the race and the city was empty of crowds.

One other Paris recommendation. Get a Museum Pass. It is worth it just for the being able to find a restroom that is free and clean.

I hope you will enjoy the race as much as I did.

Hi rgcwis -
We have see the Tour out in rural areas, villages, and along the Champs-Elysee. Out in the country it's quite easy to stake out a spot provided you know the route. With a little planning you can book into an inn along the way and stand outside with everyone else waving your flag as the racers zip by.
Villages are fun as well with the holiday atmosphere the Tour brings - again, just make sure you can arrive well-ahead of the race - typically the day before - since the route will be closed for a good part of the day until the sponsors, peloton, and support teams go through.
When we saw the final day in Paris, we staked out a spot on the Champs-Elysee 4 hours ahead of time. We arrived from a suburb of Paris via the metro and exited right near the Arc-de-Triumph. We were early enough to get a spot against the fencing about halfway down the hill. We had a great view for each of the times that the peloton went screaming past and then walked down to see the final awards ceremony at the bottom of the hill. It was EXTREMELY crowded soon after we arrived. It got quite hot as well. We took lots of water and snacks - but then that presented the problem of where to find a restroom when it was needed! Luckily the McDonald's nearby took care of that. It's the only time I've been happy to have a McDs nearby in Europe. I have to say it was a bit of a battle keeping out spots for each other when one of us went to the restroom! People were not shy about elbowing their way in so we just elbowed back!
Know that the Tour isn't just the bikers riding through. About 45 minutes before they arrive the sponsors roll through with their dancers, music, freebies, t-shirts, and general raw commercialism - a bit of a parade really. Then the vans selling Tour merchandise come through and park, waiting for you to buy something. Then you wait around some more and, finally, the riders go through in about 38 seconds flat and it's over! The Champs-Elysee view is nice because they go around 7 times (I think?) before they are finished - it's quite exciting!

If I were going to view, I think I'd follow one of three strategies.

1. Stay in one of the villages they are starting in (ideally stopping in too) and plan on being there a night early and staying two nights. That way you could enjoy a little of the festival type atmosphere around the tour watch a start and/or finish.

2. Stake out a place near the top of one of the big mountain climbs. They're generally less crowded and the bikes are going by slow and spread out, so you will see much more of the race.

3. Watch the finish in Paris, at least the bikes go by a half dozen times so it's not just a 30 second thrill as the peloton zips by.

You could also get a position shortly after a feeding area and possibly pick up souvenirs as the riders jettison them.

rgcwis,
It's all great advice above!

My wife and I saw the Tour in 2012 in Rouen which happened to be a finish stage and beginning stage for the next day, I think it was stage 3-4. Not much went on the evening before, but we were not near the finish line or any of the big hotels. We staked out the route and wanted to get close to the 1K banner (Flamme Rouge) and were not disappointed. Parade before the peleton lasted about an hour and we were entertained by two children's races which started at the flame rouge. Four hours in the sun was almost too much but I was not giving up my spot along the barricade, no matter how much elbowing went on. You also might want to consider a time trial that way you get to see each rider individually. I've seen a few TT in the Tour of California. Great way to watch the pros.
Enjoy and post back after the race.

I have watched the Dauphine at the start of Mt. Ventou in Provence and the Tour come in on the Champs Elycees. The advantage of Paris is that when you are in the countryside they come by so fast that if you sneeze you may miss them and if you are taking pictures you may find your camera not fast enough to grab them.

They go around the Champs 8 times which means that if you are watching anywhere along the route, you see them (and the cheese cars and the rest of the nonsense that preceeds them) 16 times which gives you a good look and a chance to get pictures.

We've seen the TdF 3 times. I really like the different scenieros we've seen, Champs-élysées 2 x and a time trial in Freiburg. Like previous posters said, you get to see the fun parade and riders go around multiple times along the Champs-élysées which is a big bonus to seeing the end in Paris. We just showed up and walked along the way about an hour before the riders were scheduled to arrive and found a place along the barrier each time. When we saw the time trial we positioned ourselves at a corner that they had to slow down for so we could catch a better glimps of the individual riders-- highest ranked riders go last for the time trials. We've also gone to the Tour of California when it comes through our city so we just walk to our hill to see them as they labor up towards us at a slower speed. Make an effort to see it somewhere, you'll have a great time.

Viewed a variety of stages for the 2011 and 2013 Tour. In 2011, we rented a house for about 5 days in one of the start towns. To our surprise, the route actually went right by our house. It was pretty cool, standing on our front porch, watching the swag caravan and then the peloton pass by. The crowds were 5 deep 2 blocks away for the start and there were some people but not anywhere near that crowded in front of the house. We caught a lot of swag and what we didn't catch came flying in the windows. Since we were in a start town, the race on other days was not too far to drive to. One day, We stood in a small town on the side of the road, arriving about 1/2 hour before the caravan. The towns have well marked signs for parking etc. Check the TDF site for the time estimates for caravan, peloton etc. On another day, we went to a team time trial. That takes a little more planning. Pick a town on the trial route and get there early to stake out a place with shade and facilities. I suggest packing a picnic that day food was hard to come by unless you wanted to eat in a sit down restaurant. 2013-We rode the charity Tour for the 100 anniversary. Not sure if they have that every year. Paid 5 euros and rode the Paris Route with 3000 others about 3 hours before the tour. Then found a spot across from the Tuileries Amusement Park? It wasn't that crowded but it did take some planning. Champs is difficult as most of it is filled with Grandstands for ticket holders. So viewing is limited. Good luck!