As the final stage of first-ever Virtual Tour de France, Zwift’s Champs-Élysées route was designed to mimic what may be the most recognizable road in the world: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. While the avenue is known for its theaters, cafés, luxury shops, and annual Bastille Day parade, it’s best-known among cyclists as the finish of the Tour de France!
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As the final stage of first-ever Virtual Tour de France, Zwift’s Champs-Élysées route was designed to mimic what may be the most recognizable road in the world: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. While the avenue is known for its theaters, cafés, luxury shops, and annual Bastille Day parade, it’s best-known among cyclists as the finish of the Tour de France!
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Route Basics
Length: 6.6 km (4.1 miles) Elevation: 34 m (112‘) Lead-In: 3.2 km (2.0 miles) Map: Paris
Start & Finish
Laps begin and end at lap banner. There is a significant lead-in from the start pens/spawn point.
Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!
Avenue des Champs-Élysées runs between the Place de la Concorde (to the east) and the Place de l’Étoile (to the west, where the Arc de Triomphe is located). The official Champs-Élysées finishing circuit loops around the Jardin des Tuileries on the east end, and around the Arc de Triomphe on the west end. You will begin with a lead-in around Jardin des Tuileries. The road around the back of the garden includes a short ramp down and back up – the steepest sections of the circuit. Once you finish your loop around the garden you will soon ride through the start/finish arch, which begins the official circuit.
Lap banner
Riding around the Arc de Triomphe
Starting the sprint
Note the iconic cobbles under your wheels as you feel the road turn upward – you’re on Montée des Champs Elysées, the 1.3km climb up to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s not a steep climb, but you can expect attacks here every lap when racing. There’s also a sprint point here, which only raises the stakes higher! Once you arrive at Place de l’Étoile the road levels out for a quick turn around the Arc de Triomphe, then it’s time to descend Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Note the Obelisk of Luxor visible in the distance at the other end of the circuit. You may also glimpse the Eiffel Tower, if you know where to look!
Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava
