Anyone Going to Paris to Watch the Finish of the TdF

[Spydaman]

Been avidly watching the TdF this year and fancy making a day trip to Paris watch the finish. Anyone done it? What's the inside info? Where to park? Where to stand? Probably take an overgnight ferry both ways and go by motorbike.

[lost in espace]

My mate Carl of Revolution Cycles in Knebworth is catching the ferry to Caen, and then cycling the 130 miles in a day to see the finish. Good on him.

I will be sat on the sofa.

[Spydaman]

Fair play to him. I was going to make it a day trip and 260 miles in a day on a push bike is a bit far for me. I was hoping to get an overnight ferry to Le Havre or Caen, watch the race then get the evening ferry back but everything seems fully booked. First weekend of the school holidays probably doesn't help.

[Amateurish]

I did it a few years back. Don't have much to report practicality wise. I took the RER to "Etoile" station, then watched from the Champs Elysees. It was busy, but we got a decent spot to watch the finish from. Have you thought about taking the Eurostar?

[aclivity]

We got to the Champs about 2.5 hours before the cyclists did, still didn't get anything like a decent spot to watch from. There is a great carnival atmosphere there, though, and before the bikes come all of the sponsor vehicles were parading up and down. We walked from the Eiffel Tower though, so no idea what the best route is by metro.

Probably get a better view on the TV, but I would love to go again this year to see Bradley wearing the yellow jersey.

[racerbob]

We went via eurostar back in 2003, had a long weekend deal. To get a good spot anywhere nr the Champs / Arc d' Triumphe, you have to get there a good 3 hrs before the race arrives. Oh, and the beer will be VERY expensive on the day !!