Paris for Cyclists

Its been awhile since we got back from Paris, and I got to thinking that the best part for me (or at least the most intersting part) was seeing all the sights from the Tour up close and personal. So in honor of Sunday's upcoming spin around Paris, I thought everyone might enjoy some of the sights.

Its almost become commonplace for me to see things that I wouldn't have ever imagined 12 months ago, and this was no different. If you have any DVDs of the Tour go watch the circuits around Paris and then come back to look at the pics.

Our hotel was on the Rue de Rivoli, it is the stretch before the Plas de la Concorde leading to the Champs. I am hoping we will be back to sit in the lobby and watch the race pass by.

A couple of blocks to the left of our hotel was the Louvre, the tunnel the riders pass goes below the garden's of the Louvre.

Left turn onto the Rue de Rivoli, in front of the familiar statue.

Another left turn onto the Plas de la Concorde

Then a long way up the Champs. It is surprisingly uphill.

No wonder they are always trying to ride in the gutter. All the streets are paved in cobbles, and doesn't look like they have been trying to ensure the quality or smoothness of them.