The Tour de France fan’s inside guide to Paris

The Tour de France, Europe’s globally celebrated multi-day, multi-country cycling race, has been spinning its wheels through France and other countries since 1903. This year’s race kicks off July 3 in Utrecht, Netherlands, and winds its way through much of northern and southern France before riders hit the finish line in Paris on July 26. Ifyou happen to be in the City of Lights at that time, here are some great ways to enjoy Paris in and around race day, plus a few tips on getting the most out of the race.

Related: Three great reasons to book a Europe trip right now.

Les Deux Magots

DINING

The legends
So you want to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, Picasso and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, eh? Lately, these places are haunts of American tourists more than they are the places where great works of art are created, but Cafe Le Deux Magots, Brasserie Lipp and La Coupole will do the trick if you’re on a mission to dine somewhere iconic while visiting the City of Lights.

The splurges
You’ve come to Paris to give your credit card a workout, have you? You’re in luck; the city is rightfully esteemed as one of the great culinary capitals of the world, and there are plenty of Michelin-starred places where you can enjoy your own Tour de Gastronomy. Check out Passage 53, La Tour d’Argent, Epicure, Le Cinq and David Toutain (to name a few) if you’re seeking a culinary experience that will blow your mind and (perhaps) your bank account.

The insiders
If you’re the kind of traveler who doesn’t want to see any fanny packs or fold-out maps as you slather brie on your baguette, there are plenty of Parisian haunts where the sound of English is a rarity. Check out beloved bakery Vandermeersch, butcher shop and “meatery” Boucherie des Provinces, culinary school Ecole Ferrandi and local legend Chez Ramona.

Versailles

SIGHTSEEING

The greatest hits
You’re only in Paris once and want to hit all the icons? We won’t blame you for wanting to check out the Eiffel Tower. Hint: Skip the lines by booking a guided tour well in advance or reduce your wait time—and burn some calories—by climbing the stairs. Naturally, you’ll want to see the dizzying array of impressionist paintings and more at the Musee d’Orsay or Mona Lisa’s wicked smile at the Musee duLouvre. And, of course, dip into and snap a pic of Notre Dame.

The detours
If you’ve got enough time in the city to explore beyond the most on-the-beaten-path sights, Paris will reward you aplenty. See the literal bones of the city by exploring the Paris Catacombs, which includes 180 miles of tunnels where the skeletal remains of more than six million Parisians reside. Become a culinary wizard by taking a cooking class with La Cuisine Paris (in English) and be sure to take the half hour train ride to the Palace of Versailles, the center of political power in France during the reign of Louis XIV and onward until the French Revolution.

The Tour
If you’re looking for tourism inspired by the race itself, consider seeing Paris via bicycle. Fat Tire Tours leads a variety of excursions, including both day and night rides, plus tours outside the city including an excursion of Monet’s Gardens and an outing to Versailles. Meanwhile, the final pathof the Tour de France includes a majestic ride along the Seine and the finish line at the Champs-Elysees. To see the city as the riders will, take a boat tour along the Seine. Numerous companies offer both day and night tours including some that start and end at the Eiffel Tower. Also, check out the Arc de Triomphe at the western end of the Champs-Elysees.

Tour de France Caravan

INSIDER RACE TIPS

Experience the Caravan. Arrive about two hours early for the Caravan, a pre-race parade featuring 154 vehicles and floats representing 34 of the race’s brand sponsors. People line up early for a chance to grabsome of the 14 million trinkets thrown to the crowd—think anything from T-shirts and hats to cookies and sausage.

Get close to the riders. While the most dramatic action is at the finish line, riders start gathering at the start line about an hour before race time, so you’ll have a better chance of interacting with them there.

Find a spot along the Champs-Elysees. Watching the racers zoom toward the finish line along the iconic stretch on the Champs-Elysees is one of the most exhilarating sights to behold—so long as you don’t mind crowds.

Don’t find a spot along the Champs-Elysees. If you do mind crowds, secure yourself a better vantage point by positioning yourself along the Seine, within the Tulieries Garden, or in a race-facing hotel room along the route.

Pack a bag. If you’re watching the race roadside outside of the city, arrive several hours in advance and bring lots ofwater and plenty of snacks—you won’t find many vendors and you’ll be glad to have something extra to share with the new friends you’ll make while waiting hours for the race to reach your place along the route.

Understand the jerseys. You’ll see a flurry of brightly colored jerseys worn by riders; created by Le Coq sport, they’re almost as iconic as the race itself. Each jersey holds its own significance: The reigning champion in each category in each stage of the race wears a colored jersey associated with that prize, so the shirts are swapped often. Be on the lookout for jerseys in yellow, green, polka dot and white, which are worn by the overall time leader, the cyclist with the highest number of sprint points, the “King of the Mountain” and young riders, respectively.

Learn a little French. While you’re waiting hours to catch a fleeting glimpse of the riders speeding by, you’ll want to participate in the highly sociable, festive vibe.Fans mingle over picnics, chat stats and revel in anticipation during this time; knowing a little French will go a long way.

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