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!
Route Basics
Length: 6.6 km (4.1 miles)
Elevation: 33 m (108‘)
Lead-In: 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
Map: Paris
Start & Finish
Laps begin and end at lap banner. There is a lead-in from the start pens/spawn point.
Restriction:
Achievement Badge: 130 XP
Banners and Leaderboards
(in order of appearance)
Lutece Sprint Reverse
Strava Segments
Strava SegmentsBike Selection
This route is quite flat overall. Your fastest times will come from an aero setup!
Route Description
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.
Your lap lead-in begins with a left turn out of the start pens to take you immediately up Montée des Champs Elysées, the climb on Avenue des Champs-Élysées up toward the Arc de Triomphe. In a race, you can expect this climb to be the site of attacks on every lap.
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- Heading up Montée des Champs Elysées
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- Circling the Arc de Triomphe
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- Avenue des Champs-Élysées
The road levels out as you circle the Arc de Triomphe, then it’s time to head downhill toward Place de la Concorde. Take a quick breath and look around – you’re riding iconic cobbles that have hosted the finish of Le Tour since 1975! 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!)
The sprint segment is downhill and fast – hit it hard and try to grab the green jersey! Then continue down to the lap banner, where your first lap officially begins.
The two lanes will separate when you arrive at Place de la Concorde, and the road will take you around Jardin des Tuileries. Watch the backstretch here – the road dips into a parking garage and ramps quickly out. Hold a good position, finish circling the garden, and you’ll find yourself back at the start pens.
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- Sprinting through the lap banner
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- Arriving at Place de la Concorde, home of the Obelisk of Luxor
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- Ramp on the backside of Jardin des Tuileries
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