My family will be in Paris on the final day of the race. I understand that it is very crowded and people line up early to view the finish. Are there reserved tickets available to view the finish other than those available as part of a tour package? If so, how does one purchase them?

Thanks

topping

We were in Paris for the final day of the Tour in 2000 (didn't plan it..but both husband and I were there for work). We were able to see the racers during their final ride while walking along the Seine. It was crowded but not impossible. We did not have any tickets although we were not viewing the Tour along the Champs E'Lysee (spelling?). One problem though...my husband went to Louvre in the morning and was supposed to meet up with me and a friend at a designated time. He ended up arriving about 1 hour late due to the fact that the street he needed to cross (can't remember the name) was closed to ped. traffic.

Carole--We went last year to see the La Tour and followed the bikers around France, were there for 9 days, and also the finish. We booked a room on the Rue de Rivoli and watched the bikers race around the concourse (which they do 9 times), from our room window, and were happy watching the finish from there. By the time the riders get to Paris the winner has it locked up, so there is no breathtaking finish at the end.
Last year,Lance was going for his 6th win, so it was very crowded in Paris; more crowded than any other Tour I had been to. I preface all this by saying, we follow the riders as they ride around France and enjoy this much more than the finish in Paris.

I would sugget if you want tickets to sit in the stands, you should try in next couple mos. But I do not suggest you sit in stands, instead wait on Champs Elysee or the like and watch the riders whiz by. Hope this was helpful.

We've watched the finish a couple of times including this past year and also the first year Lance won it after the cancer deal, which was really a tear-jerker finish.

We discovered the best place to watch the final is just east of Concorde, where the course takes a slight curve before circling the obelisk. There are about ten laps at that spot, so you see them over and over again, and they are racing towards you, then make that curve and go by.