Tour de France

Tom, we have the same issue. We were fortunate to do this in 2006. At the time we were lucky to find a cycling company that I think has disbanded. They offered what we thought was an affordable package at the Le Fouquet's Rest. We were able to go to the second floor approx. 11 am. We were served a 3 course meal and free flowing Vino; there were large screen TV's and ample seating. You could also go outside and re-enter. The bad thing about just going to street level is, if you leave your position to go to W.C., it may get taken. If its a hot sunny day, no shade. You have the option to use one of the TDF Official sponsors, they offer grandstand seating packages along Champs E., however these are in $350-$400euro range. The person we dealt with no longer has a viable email. I was able to contact him in 2012, but have been to a few cycling blogs with no success. Not sure if you know this, but race doesn't start til around 1 pm, you can do the tourist thing in the morning and then go find a spot to observe. Getting close to Louvre/Rue de Rivoli where they come out front tunnel may be cool. To be cont.

Where is your Hotel? It may be too late to get one of the Hotels on Rue de Rivoli, we made our reservations in October as soon as stages were announced. The pageantry of the race is electric; about 1 to 11/2 hours before racers enter Paris, the Caravan enters, quite spectacular! We are very excited, we plan to do the stage at Le'Alpe D'Huez, that's another story unto itself. Our contacts name was Richard Debrot with Eurocycler, he gave us a print out with email addresses of those that attended, but to date, no one has responded to me. His group offered riding and non riding packages to some of the Alp stages. Lets keep in touch or you may private message if you wish. My hopes are that someone viewing this message may know how to reach Richard! Good Luck!

One time we were in Paris which coincided with the end of the Tour and watched from an overpass. We arrived early and suffered the direct sun while standing around for a long time and with no toilet nearby. Amazing athletes. Ground level viewing of the race would seem to be much better.

I made the mistake of planning on doing some shopping on the Champs-Élysées on the day La Tour de France ended in 2007. Oops!

We watched the final stage in Paris in 2001. It was a thrill for us (huge TdF fans). You'll have to get a spot at least 4 hrs or more before they get to Paris b/c any place worth standing, where you can actually see anything, will get packed with people very early. Corners are always best, and on the side where the riders will be closest to. We were in the upper corner at the western end of the Tuileries Gardens. There was a restroom not far away, but there has to be two of you for one person to leave to use the restroom or someone else will definitely take your spot. As someone else mentioned, it was scorching hot when we were there and we had no shade. I think finding a place on the Champs Elysees will be difficult, we weren't able to get anywhere near it with all the barricades and security. Rue de Rivoli will have shade if you're back far enough, but then you won't be able to see much. If you're a die hard fan, you'll have to get there early - if you're not, and just want to see some of it for the fun of it, just go to the area anywhere around the Tuileries Gardens (less crowded on the Seine side) and you'll be able to catch some of it. The advantage of watching the final stage, is that the riders go around 8 times (vs only once on all other stages) so you get more time to see them.

We've done this a couple of times over the years and it's fun but you just have to be OK with crowds that have a very different idea of personal space than Americans! We always stake-out a spot on the Champs about 4 hours or so before the peleton is scheduled to come through. I suggest the lower part towards the actual awards platform since you have shade trees...closer up toward the Arc de Triomphe there is a lot less shade and you will be HOT after standing out there all day! Once you've chosen your spot you need to hold your ground because people will try to elbow their way in front of you even if there isn't space...it's just the culture! We just pretend they're not there, keep talking, and they give up and try somewhere else. If you can find a place in the shade up towards the Arc de Triomphe the advantage is that there are places to get food and things to drink and accessible toilets in the shops if you buy something. Down near the awards platform there isn't much in the way of facilities.
Have a great time! Even though it takes some time and effort, it really is worth seeing this amazing event!

I suggest going to Amsterdam instead since it's just like the Tour de France, people on drugs riding bicycles.

LOL LOL LOL good one Richard,,

We will be back in Paris again this year during the end of the Tour, like we were in 2010. We may do the same as before and watch from the sidewalk on Rue Royale and Place de la Concorde. It was hot that day, as usual, and our view improved when the young girl in front of us collapsed. (She recovered after we shared our limited water with her.)

"you need to hold your ground because people will try to elbow their way in front of you even if there isn't space...it's just the culture! " We didn't notice anyone acting any differently in Paris than they do here when we're in a crowd watching the Tour of California bike race.