Tour de France 2025
- Thread starter Col1n
- Start date
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Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I hope you didn't go to Paris this year.
I watch it in Normandy (and around there), if it happens to be going there because I have a friend who has a house there. If it doesn't go to Normandy I stay at home and watch it on the telly.
And it looks like I may be in luck next year. We'll find out in a month or so.
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steverob
Guru
- Location
- Buckinghamshire
The only time I've been at the roadside for the Tour was when it came to London in 2007. Staked out a spot on Constitution Hill exceptionally early in the morning in order to ensure I was right next to the barriers to watch the afternoon's prologue time-trial. That did mean I got to watch the riders going through their warmups on the course, the gift giving caravan (only got one small packet of Haribo though) and even got a photo with the Devil himself.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
That day I was on crutches. I went into town I never actually made it to the roadside because I overestimated my crutch hopping skills. I ended up sitting in Green Park.
OP
OP
Col1n
Regular
I watched it in Yorkshire, the crowds were ridiculous! What I enjoyed most about the tour in Yorkshire was the French translations of Northern climbs; ‘Cote de Buttertubs’ was a particular favourite
steverob
Guru
- Location
- Buckinghamshire
Still not quite as good as the ‘Col de Wicklow Gap’ from when they had the Depart in Ireland in my opinion!
Cathryn
Legendary Member
- Location
- Marlborough, Wiltshire
We went to Paris when I was six months pregnant 
I'm sure my son heard the Cav victory
Hoping to go and see the TdF Femmes in Brittany next summer.
I'm sure my son heard the Cav victory Hoping to go and see the TdF Femmes in Brittany next summer.
I hope you didn't go to Paris this year.
I watch it in Normandy (and around there), if it happens to be going there because I have a friend who has a house there. If it doesn't go to Normandy I stay at home and watch it on the telly.
And it looks like I may be in luck next year. We'll find out in a month or so.
Next year it starts in Lille, and is rumoured to be going through Normandy and into Brittany.
middle of the road
Regular
I prefer time trials so I head for one of those. I don't go to the start or finish but pick a spot where they have the clock for split times. Usually someone sets up a bar and food stall nearby.
I never go by car but try to find quiet roads we can cycle on. Find a way to take something to sit on, preferably off the ground.
I've watched almost every tour for 20 years and intend to again next year.
I never go by car but try to find quiet roads we can cycle on. Find a way to take something to sit on, preferably off the ground.
I've watched almost every tour for 20 years and intend to again next year.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Yes I've read rumours of a stage finishing in St Malo and a TT in Caen
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Wherever fits. I made special trips to London/Greenwich in 2007 and Leeds/Keighley whenever that was, plus also seen it in Cambridge and Paris. Paris was quite surprising as it wasn't dearer than an alternative stopover city (Lille, I think it was) with no chance to watch the race.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Choosing a TT is good thinking. Watching a flat road stage is a great occasion and you do get the chance of a free sample of washing powder or a cochonou mini sausage or whatever but the actual cycling can be a bit underwhelming. Zoom! There goes the breakaway. Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! There goes the peloton. Er ... that's it.
T4tomo
Legendary Member
Yes you have to treat it as a bit of day out. We did Limoges in 2023 (the day Cav crashed) and as it was a finish town there was lots going on, marching bands and the like, and also a few sights to see un related to the cycling. we had a nice lunch and then settled in the sunshine / shade to watch the caravan come by and distribute their prized tat!
in relation to the original question, we timed our planned week in France to coincide with that stage the family holiday cottage was about an hour way
I have watched Le Tour in London, Kent, and a couple of stages up in Yorkshire.
I have also been to Paris a couple of times for the final day. I normally go to the Tuillery gardens overlooking the River Seine, just before they go under the tunnel onto the Rue de Rivoli.
I have also been to Paris a couple of times for the final day. I normally go to the Tuillery gardens overlooking the River Seine, just before they go under the tunnel onto the Rue de Rivoli.
MasterDabber
Über Member
- Location
- Surrey and the Lot in France
I've seen it a couple of times.... first time in Basingstoke in 1994, they came through the area where all the office building were.... the offices had emptied out into the street. Saw Indurain and Pantani.
Second time near to our place in Le Lot on their way to the finish in Brive in 2012.... rushed back to the house and watched the finish on TV and to see Cav take the win.... great. But yes, the peleton comes though a heck of a rate.
Also saw what was then know as Route d'Occitanie come though one of the roads I regularly ride in 2020 with the Ineos train in full flight and Froome and Bernal (the eventual winner). Always good to see them ride roads you know as it kind of puts your own efforts into perspective.
Second time near to our place in Le Lot on their way to the finish in Brive in 2012.... rushed back to the house and watched the finish on TV and to see Cav take the win.... great. But yes, the peleton comes though a heck of a rate.
Also saw what was then know as Route d'Occitanie come though one of the roads I regularly ride in 2020 with the Ineos train in full flight and Froome and Bernal (the eventual winner). Always good to see them ride roads you know as it kind of puts your own efforts into perspective.
