In Montmartre, the legendary rue Lepic in boiling before the climb of the peloton

Folding chairs, beer cans, yellow and pea jerseys, flags with windows and already lifes: in the slope of the emblematic rue Lepic de Montmartre, thousands of supporters of the Tour de France warm up on Sunday before the passage of the peloton in the late afternoon.

The show started in the morning with dozens of amateur cyclists who prepare the paving stones of the legendary path. Furthermore, acclaimed as champions, in a festive atmosphere. For example,

“He is the star of the morning, it’s been at least twenty times that he spends!” »»Enthuses Kilian Parent. Moreover, sitting for eight in the morning in his folding chair on the sidewalk on rue Lepic, where the crowd is growing from hour to hour.

This young 24 -year -old Bordeaux explains to AFP being used to going to see the tour in the montmartre, legendary rue lepic boiling Pyrenees. Furthermore, This year. Consequently, he did not want to miss the historic passage to Montmartre for the last stage of the Grande Boucle.

It was on this path located a stone’s throw from the Sacré-Coeur basilica that the world had attended the road cycling Olympic games test. Furthermore, which took place in front of 500,000 spectators on August 3, 2024.

“The atmosphere of the Olympics” – Montmartre, legendary rue lepic boiling

“We are here to try to relive the atmosphere of the Olympics. Nevertheless, It may not be as strong but just as memorable. Similarly, especially since there will be more cyclists “anticipates his brother Kevin, tightening a beer from his cooler.

“When we saw the television test last year. we thought we wanted to be”testifies Andrew Easey, an English tourist from Gloucester. “Two years ago. I was at the Tuileries to see the arrival of the runners, the atmosphere was extraordinary but there it is even better … when it has not yet started!” »»add this retiree.

“It’s mythical. today too”observes, happy, Didier Bical, member montmartre, legendary rue lepic boiling of the Republic of Montmartre, distributing the newspaper of this philanthropic association founded by the painter Francisque Poulbot to the crowd. When the Tour arrived. the president of this association will give a prize to the winner of the three passages on the Butte.

Planted in front of the famous restaurant of the Moulin de la Galette. at the top of rue Lepic, Paul and Adrien do not intend to move an inch. “We are two -thirds of the slope. it is in this part there that they will attack to make the difference”Adrien analysis, 24 years old.

“More suspense”

“It’s great!” There is more suspense than on the Champs-Élysées where everyone goes very quickly ”enthuses Valérie Wiart. 52, from Lille, where she attended the departure of the Tour.

“We see the runners more closely when they climb”abounds Cheryl Miller, a 59 -year -old Belgian who lives in Washington. Like her, very many tourists have moved expressly for the race, also an opportunity to visit the capital.

“This is the first time that we have come to Paris and we have seen the Tour de France. We are very excited, the atmosphere is great! »»say in concert Erika and his nephew montmartre, legendary rue lepic boiling Timon, from Hungary.

Guy and Annie Florentin, a Trojan retired couple, had not set foot in Paris for 30 years. And never seen Montmartre. whose picturesque corners they wanted to discover, like the cemetery of Saint-Vincent where Michou-Figure of the Parisian night disappeared in 2020-, before diving into the crowd.

They say to each other “A little embarrassed” montmartre, legendary rue lepic boiling Through the performances of Tadej Pogacar. in the process of winning a fourth final victory in the Tour de France. “It is good in everything, in sprint, mountain, against the clock … maybe he does not dope but I have doubts”says Guy, former bicycle repairer and big fan of the Tour.

Kevin Parent, on the contrary, thinks that Slovenian “Bring a breath of freshness” at the race. “I don’t think he is doped. And then if we start to remember the bad eras of doping, we stop vibrating ».