The Tour de France has established itself as one of the premier sporting events in the world.
Spectators from around the world gather in the Hexagon each year to watch a group of international athletes maze their way through idyllic country-side villages, climb up and over France’s famed mountain ranges and finally arrive on one of the most famous avenues in all of France, Europe and the world. Some die-hard fans follow the bikers all over the country, watching the bikers but also enjoying the diverse landscapes of France. For many more travelers a glimpse of the big race is all they get, and what could be a better time and place to see the race then as it comes to a close on Paris’ Champs Elysées.
2010 will mark the 97th edition of the world’s greatest cycling event. This year’s event will begin on July 3rd In the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands and will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages that will cover a total distance of 3,600 kilometers. The big race will come to an end in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe on July 25th. Out-of-towners can find Velib stations (Paris’ innovative bike sharing program) near their rental accommodation and bike their way through the streets of Paris to the Champs Elysées to watch how the pros do it. Watching the race come to an end in Paris is a sporting experience like no other. More than just a ride-by, the end of the race is followed by a ceremony celebrating the winner of one of the great feats in modern sports.
July is busy season for Paris rental accommodations, but there are still dozens of beautiful apartments available before, during and after the big race. Below are a few choices of accommodations in the 8th arrondissement, all within steps of the finish line, to help get your search started:
– This huge 3-bedroom vacation rental in Ternes, Champs Elysees (PA-1377) features a decorative fireplace, an eat-in kitchen and one of the most desirable addresses in all of Paris, steps from the idyllic Parc Monceau.
– This fully-renovated 2-bedroom duplex apartment rental in Champs Elysees (PA-3945) features courtyard views, modern appliances and an ideal location steps from the Arc de Triomphe.
What do you find more attractive about the race, the achievement of the athletes or the beauty of the French landscapes as they race by? Please comment below.
It looks like we have sadly reached the end of the Lance Armstrong Era at the Tour De France. He announced yesterday that he no longer has a chance at winning this year, and this year will be his last. After 7 consecutive wins and one 3rd Place finish, Lance’s dominance at the Tour de France is one of the best runs in all of sports.
sad but true…:-(