Canadians might be particularly interested in the Tour de France since they cycle about three times more than the average American. Despite the colder weather, Canadian residents are more likely to use a bike for everything from work commutes to weekend trips. Reasons include safer road conditions, higher costs of owning a vehicle, shorter distances between destinations, and more.

Maybe you’re a Canadian interested in traveling to the greatest bike race on the planet. Maybe you’re a citizen who just loves extreme sporting events. Either way, consider this your spectator’s guide to the Tour de France!

How to Get There

The Tour de France always ends at the Champs-Élysées, a famous and highly photogenic avenue in Paris. However, it can begin in various destinations. In 2023, for example, it started in northern Spain before winding into France.

Other  races have passed through the Pyrenees Mountains and the French Alps. Some places have become race legends such as the Alpe d’Huez, presenting cyclists with a mountainous climb that always attracts a huge number of spectators who generate a party-like atmosphere.

If you’re following the pelotons from city to city, you can drive, bike, or take a train between most destinations. For the best views of the race, it’s generally recommended that you stake out a spot near the summit of wherever you are. Avoid start and finish lines, however, as they’re usually headaches with high amounts of traffic, noise, and general chaos.

Where to Stay

You’ll find plenty of places to stay along the Tour de France route. The famous Alpe d’Huez, for example, is actually a ski resort located in the mountains; the cycling road is named after it. There are many other resorts, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts scattered throughout the race’s 2,100+ miles.

Check the official Tour de France website for a list of all of the towns and cities that will be visited by the race, as well as the dates and times of the stages. This will give you a good starting point for your search. There are many hotel booking websites that allow you to search for hotels by location, price, and amenities. This can be a great way to find a hotel that fits your needs and budget.

Look for hotels that are specifically catering to Tour de France fans. There are a number of hotels that offer special packages for Tour de France fans, including discounted rates, breakfast buffets, and bike storage facilities. Consider staying in a campervan or RV. This is a great option if you want to be able to move around freely and follow the race as it progresses.

Book your hotel early. The Tour de France is a very popular event, so it’s important to book your hotel early to avoid disappointment. This is especially true during race stages that cross through major metropolitan areas, but you can also snag last-minute deals because of cancellations.

Where to Eat

You might not be burning as many calories as the cyclists, but you’ll quickly work up an appetite as you follow the racers around the world! In France, you’ll have your choice of everything from cassoulet to crème brulée. Along the typical race route, there are both quick eats and fine dining options available for hungry travelers of every budget. An important thing to note is that French restaurants can have strict lunch and dinner hours: usually 12 to  2 PM and 7 to 9 PM, so make sure to plan out your mealtimes!

For specific places to eat, check the official Tour de France website. The website has a list of all the official race partners, which includes many restaurants. You can also filter the list by cuisine, price range, and location. You can also use a food delivery service. Many food delivery services, such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, have a wide selection of restaurants in their networks. You can search for restaurants by location or cuisine, and you can even see what other users have ordered before.

You can also simply ask the locals. If you’re in a small town or village, the best way to find a good place to eat is to ask the locals. In particular, they’ll be able point you towards places where you can enjoy traditional dishes. Avoid restaurants that are too close to the finish line. These restaurants will be crowded and noisy, and you’ll probably have to wait a long time to get your food.

Spectator Do’s and Don’ts

As a guest of the Tour de France, you’ll want to follow proper etiquette to have a good time and avoid angering the locals or disrupting the race.

Do:

• Rent a bike. Amateurs are allowed to try the race routes before the cyclists arrive! There can also be traffic and road closures that make it hard to get around via car.
• Arrive early and stay late. Expect there to be big crowds during every stage of the race. Remember: It’s one of the most popular sporting events in the world!
• Download travel apps such as French language translators and currency converters.

Don’t:

• Interfere with the race in any way. Not only is it unfair to the participants, but it’s also dangerous for spectators. People have been hurt and even killed from colliding with fast-moving cyclists.
• Waste time trying to get photos of the racers as they fly by. They’ll be moving at speeds that are hard to capture with anything less than a professional camera.

After the Race

There’s a reason why France is such a popular vacation destination. You can enjoy all kinds of experiences there! Thrill seekers, for example, can go hiking, climbing, swimming, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures in the region’s many mountains, lakes, and forests. Shopaholics will love the malls and high-end boutiques of Paris. Honeymooners can stroll through a vineyard, take a sunset cruise on the Seine, or admire works of art together at prestigious museums.

Sightseers will have the most fun. They can check out everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. Or you can stick to the French countryside for a less crowded and more authentic experience. There’s simply no limit to iconic tourist attractions in France.