After three hours of waiting, watching the never ending parade of sponsors drive by blasting techno music (I've come to lear that no event in Paris is complete without techno music playing at some point) Finally! It's a bird! It's a plane! NO! IT'S A HELICOPTER! THE CYCLISTS ARE ALMOST HERE! (note that in a week of cold and rainy, the day the tour comes it is sunny and warm. The sporting gods where looking out for Paris today).
I found a prime viewing spot along Rue de Rivoli and the Tulleries gardens. No need to be elevated though, I was right along the guard rail.
And as soon as you see them, they disappear again. Luckily I was along the final circuit, so they came by another 5 times. I was amazed at how fast they could travel all the way up Avenue des Champs-Élyesée and back to where I was...
... Just beyond the 1km marker. Lovely view of the corner next to the Louvre, and on the other end Place de la Concorde. They would come back on the other side of Tulleries, but you could tell when they were close from all the police motorcycles and helicopters. If you squint hard enough, or enlarge the picture, you can see them as they make the final lap. Overall it was an amazing day, and I was so glad I was finally able to watch it in person.
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