This page includes basic details for all routes on Zwift’s Paris world. For additional route details, click the corresponding link to be taken to that route’s detail page.
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
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!
Paris’ Lutece Express route is simply the reverse version of the iconic Champs-Élysées route created for the first-ever Virtual Tour de France. It runs in a clockwise direction, giving riders a chance to experience a virtual version of the most recognizable avenue in the world: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
While the avenue is known for its theatres, cafés, luxury shops, and annual Bastille Day parade, it’s best-known among cyclists as the finish of the Tour de France race!
Related Posts
Route Basics
Length: 6.6 km (4.1 miles) Elevation: 33 m (108‘) Lead-In: 3.5 km (2.2 miles) Map: Paris
Restriction:
Achievement Badge: 130XP
Paris’ Lutece Express route is simply the reverse version of the iconic Champs-Élysées route created for the first-ever Virtual Tour de France. It runs in a clockwise direction, giving riders a chance to experience a virtual version of the most recognizable avenue in the world: the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
While the avenue is known for its theatres, cafés, luxury shops, and annual Bastille Day parade, it’s best-known among cyclists as the finish of the Tour de France race!
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
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Dan
2 years ago
I must be honest, I’m pretty underwhelmed by the Paris course. I think it really highlights the weaknesses in Zwift’s graphics. The course looks pretty plain and very samey, which of course isn’t helped by the road profile. If the graphics were much higher fidelity, such as Veloton, it would help, but the cartoon-nature of Zwift and the low polygon density makes it very meh. Where Zwift does work are green, open, meandering routes such as Titans Grove, and I’m a real fan of the new France routes. I’m sure Paris will make a great racing course but I can’t… Read more »
yep. By the standards of year 2020, the graphics are just not up to snuff.
Kim S
2 years ago
I wish the folks at Zwift would learn the definition of the word “flat.” The only truly flat route in all the Zwift worlds is Tempus Fugit in Watopia. I had hopes of getting another route suitable for workouts when I heard about Paris. Sadly, over 100 feet of climb in just 4 miles doesn’t get it done. There are already two “worlds” that are pretty much unusable for riders who aren’t interested in heroic climbing (Innsbruck and Yorkshire). Looks like Paris might be the third addition to the list. Very disappointed…
There is not much in the real world that is genuinely “flat”, so it should hardly come as a surprise that the courses which simulate real world locations are not “flat” either. I have never cycled up the Champs-Elysee, but I have walked it a few times, and the description here is pretty much as I remember it being.
Just unpair your smart trainer but keep power connected if you need consistent resistance for efforta but still want to load to Zwift. You can do that mid-ride if you want alternating gradients before/after
…
The committee held a public consultation over what should be done with the avenue. The plans include reducing space for vehicles by half, turning roads into pedestrian and green areas, and creating tunnels of trees to improve air quality.
…
Last edited 1 year ago by Brick
Chris Vinson
1 year ago
Hi, sorry if this has been covered before. Newbie here.
I tried the 1week trial and did not see Paris.
I signed up with credit card for first month and still do not see Paris.
I just see Watopia, London, and Yorkshire
Question: How do I see Paris, Innsbruck, New York, etc…?
Watopia is there all the time. The other locations rotate in, 2 per day, so you always see 3. There should be a calendar somewhere on your screen or in a pop-up/drop-down depending on which device you are using.
I must be honest, I’m pretty underwhelmed by the Paris course. I think it really highlights the weaknesses in Zwift’s graphics. The course looks pretty plain and very samey, which of course isn’t helped by the road profile. If the graphics were much higher fidelity, such as Veloton, it would help, but the cartoon-nature of Zwift and the low polygon density makes it very meh. Where Zwift does work are green, open, meandering routes such as Titans Grove, and I’m a real fan of the new France routes. I’m sure Paris will make a great racing course but I can’t… Read more »
I’ll probably only ride it twice to get the badges. Not much appeal in a short lap to me, but I can see how racers will like it.
yep. By the standards of year 2020, the graphics are just not up to snuff.
I wish the folks at Zwift would learn the definition of the word “flat.” The only truly flat route in all the Zwift worlds is Tempus Fugit in Watopia. I had hopes of getting another route suitable for workouts when I heard about Paris. Sadly, over 100 feet of climb in just 4 miles doesn’t get it done. There are already two “worlds” that are pretty much unusable for riders who aren’t interested in heroic climbing (Innsbruck and Yorkshire). Looks like Paris might be the third addition to the list. Very disappointed…
There is not much in the real world that is genuinely “flat”, so it should hardly come as a surprise that the courses which simulate real world locations are not “flat” either. I have never cycled up the Champs-Elysee, but I have walked it a few times, and the description here is pretty much as I remember it being.
Just unpair your smart trainer but keep power connected if you need consistent resistance for efforta but still want to load to Zwift. You can do that mid-ride if you want alternating gradients before/after
Please don’t be offended but I think this comment deserves a HTFU…. Cheers 🙂
Richmond has a ~3 mile section as well that has about 40′ of climbing.
No badge awarded… 😭
I heard this somewhere and just verified that it works. After finishing make a U-turn and ride back through the gate to get the badge.
Do these Paris roads have more rolling resistance than ‘normal’ roads?
When will the routes be opened for rotation? I really like anything new on zwift. The bigger the variety, the more interested it keeps me.
August 10th is the date I’m hearing, although that could shift a bit. There may also be community events on these routes before then.
why don’t the sprints have Strava segments?
They’re too short – Strava doesn’t allow us to create them. I believe the cutoff is around 200m…
News of the Physical Route
Looks like not everyone is happy with the existing real-world route either. But the coming redesign should be breathtakingly beautiful. 😀
Guardian: PARIS AGREES TO TURN CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES INTO ‘EXTRAORDINARY GARDEN’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/10/paris-approves-plan-to-turn-champs-elysees-into-extraordinary-garden-anne-hidalgo
…
The committee held a public consultation over what should be done with the avenue. The plans include reducing space for vehicles by half, turning roads into pedestrian and green areas, and creating tunnels of trees to improve air quality.
…
Hi, sorry if this has been covered before. Newbie here.
I tried the 1week trial and did not see Paris.
I signed up with credit card for first month and still do not see Paris.
I just see Watopia, London, and Yorkshire
Question: How do I see Paris, Innsbruck, New York, etc…?
Watopia is there all the time. The other locations rotate in, 2 per day, so you always see 3. There should be a calendar somewhere on your screen or in a pop-up/drop-down depending on which device you are using.
Friday/Sat is Yorkshire/Innsbruck; Sun/Mon is France/Paris