Used to the grand arrivals of the Tour de France, the riders are gearing up this year for a glorious finale. This Sunday, July 27, the 21st and final stage will take the peloton up the slopes of Montmartre for a triple climb like no other, giving a nod to the Paris 2024 Olympics, before the final six kilometers leading to the legendary finish line on the Champs-Élysées. An extraordinary scenario that promises a lot of excitement, but also major disruptions in the area throughout the day. Whether you plan to enjoy the event or simply navigate the region, here’s what you need to know.
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A Muscular Journey
The stage promises an intense show on the Montmartre hill, with runners tackling it three times between 6:30 PM and 7:18 PM. Starting from the boulevard de Clichy, the pack will navigate through iconic streets of the hill: rue Puget, then rue Coustou, before taking on the famous ascent of rue Lepic. It will then continue along rue Norvins, rue du Mont-Cenis, rue Saint-Eleuthère, and rue du Cardinal-Dubois, before descending via rue Lamarck and rue Caulaincourt. A winding and demanding route, worthy of the mythical decor of Montmartre.
© Mairie du 18e
Public spots near the race
You probably already know this: if you’re hoping for a good spot along the route, it's best to arrive early. Really early! Last year, no less than 500,000 spectators gathered on the Butte to watch the race, and this year’s crowd will be just as lively. There will be a few areas that will remain off-limits to the public due to the narrow streets, especially the section on Rue Norvins between Rue des Saules and Place du Tertre, as well as Rue Puget and Rue Coustou, reserved for residents.
But don't worry! There are still several spots with great views of the race. Unsurprisingly, there's a The famous climb of Rue Lepic will attract the majority of spectators – but be prepared to feel like sardines compressed together. For a bit more breathing room, head to Rue Lamarck, especially the downhill part, or Rue Caulaincourt, where the wider sidewalks allow for a bit more comfortable standing space.
On the other hand, forget about calmly waiting while seated at a café terrace: establishments located directly on the course must absolutely "remove their outdoor tables starting at 3 PM." With a bit of luck – and good relations with the owners – you might still be able to stand outside, and it will still be possible to enjoy drinks inside bars and restaurants. Finally, the luckiest ones are definitely the residents and their guests: nothing beats having a well-placed window or balcony to enjoy the show without the crowd.
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Anticipate Traffic and Parking Restrictions
Of course, an event of this scale comes with its own set of restrictions. Here, we're talking about traffic and parking. All vehicles (including motorcycles) parked along the route will be removed starting Friday at 6 PM, to allow for barrier installation and signage by the organizers. On the day of the race, Sunday, traffic will be completely forbidden in the area surrounding the route starting at 1 PM until the end of the event, expected around 8 PM.
If you just want to cross the route, you can use one of the 22 designated crossing points along the route, subject to permissions granted by the authorities.
order. Please note: during comparable events like the 2024 Olympics, the crossing was prohibited more than an hour before the first runners passed, a rule that may apply again. Depending on your position (inside or outside the loop), it’s better to plan your movements ahead of time to avoid getting stuck, as some spectators experienced last year.Also worth noting: the Montmartre funicular will be closed to the public starting at 1 PM for security reasons. On the metro side, the stations Blanche and Place de Clichy will be closed, and lines 2 and 12 may experience disrupted service around the hill. The full restrictions should be gradually lifted after 8 PM.
🚴 🚴♀️ 🚴♂️ On est bien d’accord qu’à partir de maintenant il n’y ne peut y avoir de Tour de France sans passage par la Butte Montmartre❓ pic.twitter.com/gMgxraeAh4
— Paris s’eveille 🎈 (@ParisEveil) August 3, 2024