Later this month, Paris is set to host the grand finale of the
Tour de France. One of the most famous races in the world, the French capital will serve as its final finish line. And you won't want to miss it if you're already in Paris yourself! It's quite the athletic spectacle, one that thousands watch live in the city and millions more on TV. So why not see it in person by scoring a good spot in Paris to watch the race? Knowing this year's route, spots like Champs-Élysées, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Versailles will have you close to all the action!
Rueil-Malmaison
Let's start with the spots that are technically not in Paris, but near enough that it's easy to consider them part of the city. First up, there's the beautiful commune of Rueil-Malmaison. Located in the western suburbs of the French capital, it's an upscale residential area that's far quiet than the more
central neighborhoods of Paris. Amidst its collection of luxury homes and humble houses, there are hardly any bustling commercial districts out here. And that's part of the Rueil-Malmaison's charm. The quieter vibe is a great contract from the business that Paris is known for.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Moonik
Malmaison Castle
Though Rueil-Malmaison commune is already a great place, its main highlight is the beautiful Malmaison Castle. One of the grand
châteaus near Paris, it was once owned by Josephine de Beauharnais, Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife. In fact, the historic conqueror was said to have spent a great deal of time here as well. This Tour de France 2022, this gorgeous site will likely turn heads as the race passes it by. You might not even know where to focus your view on: this stunning castle or the exciting race?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zairon
Versailles
Speaking of French grandiosity, you can forget about the Palaces of Versailles. Once home to the country's royals and the French aristocracy, they still stand as a stark reminder of their unapologetic opulence. And it's that same opulence that eventually led to the French Revolution. All the gilding and the sparkling mirrors can't fully hide the bloody events that changed the country—and the world—forever. But this year, at Tour de France 2022, the palaces will serve as a worthwhile part of the route. Though some may argue that it'd be a shame to use these stunning palaces as a backdrop for the race, they're a good reminder of French history that others will see.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Issy-les-Moulineaux
Issy-les-Moulineaux, a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, is an important area in Tour de France for various reasons. One of them is that it's the location of the
Amaury Sport Organisation's headquarters, the organizers of the annual race. It's only natural that the route passes this area by, especially on the final leg of the race. And you'll certainly get a good look at all the incredible cyclists participating in this year's event if you choose to watch from here. If you want, you can easily find a
luxury rental for your stay in Issy-les-Moulineaux as well!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut
La Défense Arena
When the Tour de France 2022 reaches La Défense Arena, it means they're nearing the finish line! Thank goodness the area surrounding the arena is pretty spacious. Expect it to be crowded on the final leg of the race! And if you want to watch the event from here, you'll have to wake up pretty early and grab your spot as soon as possible. But even after the race passes by, don't miss out on the arena itself. Not only is it an architectural marvel, but it's also the largest indoor arena in all of Europe. It's a unique sight indeed!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Cekay
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is bound to be busier than ever once the Tour de France reaches this part of the city. It's already one of the more bustling areas in Paris! What more when the race takes place here? Just like near the La Défense Arena, you'll want to grab a spot here as early as you can. The place is already crowded on a normal day. Once the race catches up here, you can bet that it's gonna be filled with even more people. If you're lucky, you can score a place that's along the Tour de France route. This place is filled with many great apartments, after all.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Champs-Élysées
And finally, the Champs-Élysées! The good news is the famous avenue is already quite big so space isn't that big of an issue compared to the other spots on this list. But since this is where the finish line of the Tour de France 2022 is located, it'll likely be the most crowded spot of all. There's nothing more iconic than seeing all the awesome cyclists, racing as best as they can, on this historic road as French flags that line the sidewalk flutter about. If you're lucky, you might even capture the best photo in the entire race!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Will you be in Paris by the time Tour de France makes its way to the city? Then you won't want to miss its exciting finale! Watch all the action live by securing a spot along this year's route! You'll regret it if you don't!
