The Tour de France is an annual men’s multiple-stage bicycle race that was first organized in 1903. The race primarily takes place in France, but it occasionally passes through nearby countries.
Witnessing the Tour de France was an item on my cousin’s bucket list, and we were able to do just that on July 11th. The 2014 Tour de France honored the centennial anniversary of World War I, and it started in Leeds, UK and ended in Paris. We selected the town of Flirey, located about 30-45 minutes from Metz where my cousin lived, to catch the race as he went from Épernay to Nancy.
Related: The Green City {Metz, France}
Is witnessing the Tour de France on your bucket list too? Here are a few tips to make the most of watching the tour in person.

You definitely want to show up a few hours before the race is scheduled to come through so you can claim your spot, as the roads close before the riders arrive. Additionally, since you are arriving early, be sure to pack snacks and games to keep you entertained as you hang out and wait for the cyclists.
We opted to park along the side of the road into Flirey so we could see the race in action as opposed to the finish line.

When you start to see helicopters, keep on an eye on them. They’ll give you a great idea of where the majority of the riders are located as they wind down the road towards you.

If you ever in France during the Tour, I highly recommend trying to witness this annual event in person – it is pretty spectacular.

Captured from Video

Captured from Video