login
Anyone gone to France for the TdF?
-
No new posts
 2005-06-12 11:05 PM |
Regular 66  Atlanta, Georgia |  Subject: Anyone gone to France for the TdF?My Brother-in-law is planning on going to Paris to see the finish of the Tour de France. He has asked my husband to tag along. Meanwhile I'm home with the little ones (4 and 6). I, of course, said no way are you going to France without me. But I'm not sure that I want to go. But I was thinking that this is Lance's final race? . So I was wondering if anyone has any actual experience attending the TdF in person? Is it worth it or would you just be standing in a huge crowd on the Champs Elysee and not really see anything? Pros: France, Lance Armstrong final TdF, TdF Cons: LONG flight (8 there, 9 back?), Big crowds, visibility?, missing the little ones We fly for free but on standby so this might affect things also. So, Comments? anyone been there, done that? |
| 2005-06-13 2:20 AM in reply to: #173592 |
Champion 7036  Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? Saw it once a few years ago when we were Europe on vacation. It was one of the early legs out in the country. Watched a breakaway pack fly by, followed by the pelleton and then the chase vehicles. The whole thing was over in about ten minutes. But the wine was great... Mark |
| 2005-06-13 8:32 AM in reply to: #173592 |
Master 1249  Lexington, Kentucky | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? We lived in Orleans, France in '95 & '96, and took the train into Paris to see the Arrivee in '95. It was Miguel Indurain's 5th win. The atmosphere is very cool and fun. Of course, as with any huge event, your experience will be different from TV - more emotion, less information. If Lance is in position to win #7, it will be wild and there will be tons of Americans. If you arrive very early in the morning, you should not have too much trouble staking out a viewing spot somewhere along the Champs Elysee. Some clever entrepreneurs rent ladders so you can see over the crowd. (I've always thought it would be cool to watch from the Ferris wheel in the Jardin des Tuilleries, but I imagine it is very, very expensive.) A few hours before the peloton arrives, there is a "Caravan Publicitaire" - a parade of sponsors' cars with waving spokesmodels tossing out swag. After a while, the caravan dissappears, and it grows quiet as the TV helicopters slowly get nearer and nearer. Finally you'll know the peloton is on the Champs when you hear a distant roar growing louder as it sweeps toward you at around 30mph. The sprinters will zip by, and everyone will check their watches to see how far ahead they are. If there is still a battle for the Green Jersey, the sprinters will get a lot of attention. The crowd will go crazy again when the peloton comes into view. The Yellow Jersey will most likely be cruising at the back, soaking it all in. If it is LA, expect complete pandemonium. The riders make 8 laps around the Champs Elysees, so you'll get a good look. Unless you can score grandstand tickets, you will not see the actuall finish, but it is still very, very cool. I say go for it. Leave the kids w/grandma and make it a long weekend. My info on Paris is a little out-of-date, but you can PM me if you have specific questions. |
| 2005-06-16 12:44 PM in reply to: #173592 |
Extreme Veteran 724 Delray Beach, FL | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? I do not need an excuse to go to Paris... I've been to many places and Paris is by far my favorite city (some people disagree with me), TDF finish? my dream, Champs Elysee, yellow jersey.... sigh... I absolutely would go if I could. But don't do it just for the tour, you may be dissapointed if you've never been there before. Get Rick Steves guide and tour the city, make it a honeymoon. It may be a little too crowded, Parisians hate the city when it is crowded and full of Americans  |
| 2005-06-16 1:01 PM in reply to: #173592 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? |
| 2005-06-16 1:32 PM in reply to: #176023 |
Master 1249 Lexington, Kentucky | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? Parisians hate the city when it is crowded and full of Americans That explains their constant ill temper... |
| 2005-06-16 2:56 PM in reply to: #173592 |
Champion 5495 Whizzzzzlandia Silver member | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? |
| 2005-06-16 6:39 PM in reply to: #173592 |
Member 12 Corvallis | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? I was living in Germany last year and caught a ride with my neighbor up to see the time trials in Belgium - I didn't think I would ever have the chance to see it, so it was a nice surprise and a cool atmosphere. But it is a little crowded! |
| 2005-06-16 6:49 PM in reply to: #173592 |
| Regular 66 Atlanta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? I guess I didn't mention that I have been to Paris before a long time ago. But it is a great place, I found that the Parisians were great - but perhaps I just caught them on a good day! :-) Trying to work out the grandmother keeping the kids and if it works out, I might just do it! |
| 2005-06-17 11:28 AM in reply to: #176080 |
Extreme Veteran 724 Delray Beach, FL | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? tim_edwards - 2005-06-16 1:32 PM Parisians hate the city when it is crowded and full of Americans That explains their constant ill temper... Well I cannot blame them, millions of tourist around the city complaining of the food, the small glases, no ice tea and no ice on the sodas... LOL LOL Snowbird season in Florida is something else, all these older people driving around, some of them are a menace! I cannwait to the summer to see them leave I was treated very well in Paris, way better than in Rome. Parisians are incredible polite (if you are polite to them). Learn couple frases like Bon Jour, Merci... etc use it often, they like that. |
| 2005-06-17 1:46 PM in reply to: #176989 |
Master 1249 Lexington, Kentucky | Subject: RE: Anyone gone to France for the TdF? I was just kidding with the "constant ill temper" remark. In my experience, the Parisians' reputation for rudeness is entirely undeserved. You hit the nail on the head, clfgrl, Parisians are very polite if you are polite to them. The most important words you can learn in French are: "excusez-moi", "s'il vous plait" and "merci" |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK