
After the Parc des Princes and the Cipale Velodrome, the most beautiful race in the world has found a setting worthy of its finale and celebration of its champions in 1975. Walter Godefroot was the first to win, while Bernard Thévenet completed his first Tour victory, ending Eddy Merckx's reign. And while Bernard Hinault raised his arms in victory twice (1979, 1982), the Champs-Élysées became the temple of sprinters: winning on the most beautiful avenue in the world is the ultimate result for riders in the final sprint. And of course, the greatest of all, Mark Cavendish, who holds the record with four Parisian victories (2009-10-11-12).
BUTTE MONTMARTRE: NOT A CLASSIC... BUT ALMOST
The Tour de France has only moved away from the capital once when the 111th edition concluded in Nice. However, Parisians were not deprived of cycling spectacle in the summer of 2024, as they had the privilege of watching two Olympic road races whose route brought female and male groups to Butte Montmartre. The organizers were inspired by this route, which last August attracted more than 500,000 spectators. Consequently, the traditional final circuit has been modified to include three climbs to the highest point in Paris. The climb of Rue Lepic and the visit to the Sacred Heart square will probably give a shock to the usual scenario and transform the 21st stage into a prestigious classic with an exceptional character. Only 6 kilometers will remain when riders tackle the 68th and final classified climb of the Tour de France 2025: a lash that could give a few seconds to an attacker and prove decisive.
This final phase, which will not include the caravan, requires a significant deployment of security and emergency services to ensure the race takes place under optimal conditions: measures will be implemented that will affect traffic and flow management, given the challenges of ensuring the safety of people and property, which will impact residents and businesses for several days. In some respects, the measures will be similar to those introduced for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The City of Paris, the organizer, and the police prefecture will present these plans and measures to residents and economic operators. It is worth reiterating that exceptional events require extraordinary measures.
BICYCLES AND PENS FOR PARIS CHILDREN
This exceptional arrival in Paris is a new opportunity to raise awareness among residents, particularly young people, about cycling in a city that has once again received the highest "Tour de France Cycle City" designation. Today the city has more than 1,500 kilometers of bicycle paths thanks to a very ambitious policy implemented in 2014. Since 2021, 250 million euros have been invested. Thanks to this infrastructure, bicycles have surpassed automobiles as the most popular means of transportation for Parisians. The development of soft mobility is a significant challenge in the fight against global warming.
On June 19, 2025, the Dictée du Tour is planned for 2,000 Paris schoolchildren. Among these, 150 will be hosted at the Paris City Hall to work on a newspaper article to be read by Christian Prudhomme. First of all, they will take a short bicycle ride, accompanied by the red car number 1 of the Tour Director. The same day, activities will be organized on the banks of the Seine to introduce young visitors to cycling.
On July 27, 50 young Parisians who are members of the capital's cycling clubs will parade in front of the Tour de France riders wearing yellow Tour de France shirts before watching the caravan and riders pass from a specially erected grandstand.