100th Edition of the Tour de France 2013

When I realized we would still be in Paris for the end of the Tour de France, I knew I wanted us to be on the Champs Elysees as close as we could get to the Arc de Triomphe.  We jumped on the Metro and headed toward the Champs Elyesse.  There were throngs of people, but we could still walk through the crowd.   Everyone had staked their claim to their best viewing spot.  You could tell many had been there for hours, when we got there around 5:30pm.  Yellow was the color of the day.

We walked through the crowd for a while and stopped to buy a Tour de France kit which included a T-shirt, cap, bandana, key chain, playing cards, wrist bands and tattoos.

 I wanted to get as close to the Arc de Triomphe as I could for a picture, so we walked in that direction.  I loved it that everyone was sporting their teams colors, such spirit and patriotism!

As we made our way toward the Arc, we looked for a choice viewing area.  Score!  A place right on the fence, right in front on the Arc, what luck!  Now we only have to stand here and wait for the riders to arrive, in--2 hours.

We were entertained by a parade of Parisian businesses, in their best parade vehicles.

It was really hot, but we didn't dare leave our most coveted place, even for water.  We could follow the riders on a big screen just to our left.  As the riders reached the Louvre and started up the Champs Elysees the first time,  eight fighter jets flew over the Arc de Triomphe, trailing the red, white and blue French flag colors.

As they came up the boulevard  you could hear the excitement of the crowd cheers moving up the street as they passed.  As you can imagine, when the riders made the circle around the Arc and raced past us, things moved pretty quickly.  I mean super fast.  The riders made the circuit between the Louvre and the Arc several times before reaching the finish line.

We loved the thrill of being there and seeing all the action, but water was a priority, so we went to find some.  After the race there was an awards ceremony, music, a light show and fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe but we elected to head for the Metro and home.