21 Days, 4 Countries, 7 Mountain Ranges, 199 Riders from 20 Teams. But there can only be 1 winner.... This is the Amazing…[oops… wrong race]
.
This Is
‘Le Tour de France’
and the winner for 2009
is
PARIS
and YOU
and ME
and the ordinary folk
who took to the streets
to watch this amazing spectacle
OK maybe
ALBERTO CONTADOR too
So today The Final Stage of Le Tour concluded it’s relentless schedule
in the City of Light ..
Paris
Home to ‘La Tour Eiffel’
Coco Chanel
Montmartre
& 'La Moulin Rouge'
People came out in force
by any means available
to greet the riders
take refreshment
And line the Champs Elysees
To see the riders make their entrance
And the winner cross the line to victory
[Jacques Anquetil – 1964]
So here’s to
.
The winners of past
.
And
the new friendships
made along the way
So this is Julie from ‘Being Ruby’ signing off from ‘Le Tour’
Hope you have enjoyed the last 3 weeks
It’s been relentless, exhausting, exhilarating, and FUN
I will be sad to no longer have the steady measured voice of Phil Liggett to lull me into dreamland [Thanks Phil]. Nor the hypnotic flashing images of the French Countryside rolling by [Thanks to the People of France for hosting this great event in their wondrous backyard]. And finally THANKS to ALL OF YOU who came along for the ride, your comments are much appreciated. I hope you enjoyed some of this adventure.
.
So for one last time, BACK TO THE BOYS
.
Congratulations – Alberto Contador 1st 
Sorry Cadel Evans 
Yooo Hooo Lance Armstrong 3rd 
Watch out world – Mark Cavendish 
.
FULL Standings and race details can be found [here]
IF you need to reminisce [here are the archived posts]
.
‘Le Tour’ Post Archives:
05-07-2009: [Stage 1] Monaco Style & Grace
11-07-2009: [Stage 7] Hola Espanol
14-07-2009: [Stage 9] Viva La France
24-07-2009: [Stage 18] The French Alps [& The Lakehouse]
.
Ciao JULIE
FIN
IMAGE CREDITS
Archival ‘Le Tour de France’ images: LeTour.fr, Paris Roof tops & Coco Chanel: Unknown [apologies], Paris Lightning: wikipedia.com, Montmartre: BeingRuby, Art By Toulouse Lautrec: Google images, Paris Archive Images: Parisimages.fr, wikipedia.com and Unknown [apologies], Paris Current Images: wikipedia.com, photobucket.com, Other: Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower [lightening] – wikipedia.com, Lance Armstrong: Dishiness.com and also found at ‘Dumbwit Tellher’, For Archive Post Thumbnail credits: please see details from that post
31 comments:
What a beautiful post! Good on you! I am a big fan of Le Tour de France! So the my husband! Alberto Contador is a winner! He was just fantastic! But my favorite was Cadel Evans of course. Armstrong is a brilliant man. I can't believe it is fin! It was fun as always.. Le Tour de France!
Thank you so much for this beautiful post! I even show my husband !
Wow, now THAT was a post.....PHEW!!!
Great old photos of Paris, I loved those....we went to eat at La Coupole last time I was in Paris, it was really fun, great atmosphere.
I am not even sure what to make of the naked Lance Armstrong photo....yikes!!!
:)
Julie - what can I say, you gave the best tribute to the best race on the planet. Your images & your way with words are above & beyond. So incredibly entertaining. It was a terrific finale. My husband & I were agreeing with Andy Schleck today when he remarked that he was sad that it was all to end today & everyone would be going their separate ways tomorrow. I laughed because I too will miss Phil's smooth voice. After 3 weeks each year he is like a Uncle that comes to stay for a holiday. Many thanks too for linking my blog to this post. Yes, the 96th Tour is now a memory but a fine one @ that. especially after experiencing it through your eyes! All the best,
Deb
love your first b&w photo of the clock - awesome!
and woohoo to lance!!
One of the greatest tests of endurance the world so happily beholds - the Tour de France is the only race we follow. I'm not sure if it is because of the gorgeous landscapes or the amazing strength and determination of the riders, most likely it is both. Your post was the perfect finale!
Thanks Julie , for your wonderful coverage of Le Tour de France... I have enjoyed every minute of my journey through France, Spain and Switzerland ( and Andorra, that's that little country, isn't it !! )and didn't we have a great time... the countryside, the mountains, the lakes, and finally Paris. I know that it has been hard work for you but,let me tell you, it was well worth it. We have all loved the ride.Merci beaucoup. XXXX
fantastic post and the photos just ,make me want to get back on the plane....
Brilliant! Armstrong sure is a freak of nature!!
yes what a ride and I didn't even have to get off my butt to experience it. i have to agree with Jackie it was a lot of work but you did an excellent job making it fun and informative.
Congratulations to the winner!!!
move over Lance let someone else win for a change!
xo
Carole
A lovely, lovely photo-journey. Thanks so much for putting it together. And Go Alberto!!
Love all the black and white pics. Especially the one with the 2 woman having coffee.
I have never found the Tour de France soo interesting!!! & it is all because of you & your fantastic posts Thank you for all the energy... :) Cate
What a great post! I actually did hear the results last night on TV (every once in a while I do watch the news). This has been such a fun ride with stunning imagery!!!
You must be exhausted, almost like you rode the Tour yourself! Okay, maybe not that tired. Great job, though, on keeping up with the race. If not for you, I would have been pretty clueless. And you definitely have some wonderful, old photographs.
I left you a award on my latest post.
Wow, what a fun ride. You are one great reporter! Enjoyed my French adventure with you! I actually paid more attention to the ride on the news because you were doing this. Three weeks, that is one long ride through the countryside.
Well back to the grind darling....
By the way Hailey watched the end & when he explained that it was Tour de France not Tour de Pants...she told him..well that makes so much more sense. I thought it was weird tht they got a yellow jersey when its about pants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I so adore your post...thank you for taking me along for the ride..I learned so much ...I love your blog!!!!
Bravo to you Julie & look out Phil Liggett, his job is NOT SAFE! You would be such an asset to the Tour, I reckon you'll get the call very soon.
Millie ^_^
Oh am so sad its over. I agree - it always lulls me to sleep...what are we going to do now? Ax
Oh my Lord, what a post ... obviously I've dropped in on the wrap up and have missed all the posts on the race excitment. Never mind, one can always catch up in blogland.
Thank you for dropping by and I agree Cate was excellent in "Grey" and I haven't seen her look bad in an outfit yet, lucky girl!!
xxx DJ
Thanks for visiting! Love this post on the race. Your Black and White Sunday really hits home. I adore those clocks. I looked for a long time to find one for my header for my blog. These are just super. I am now a "follower".
Have a great day.
Charla
Dear Julie,
Now, I'm exhausted! I just visited a chateau, a lake house, kept up with the Tour de France (delayed to my shame), & now must lie down.
Seriously, it was wonderful. Great imagination & humor. Loved it. I shall be able to visit more often soon. It took this poor old PC about 20 minutes to download Being Ruby. Therefore, I feel I should leave a witty note & so on. But nothing can compare with this, so I leave & bid you happy soon-to-be Wed. in your corner of the world.
xoSusan
hello...and thankyou for visitng my blog (especially, if you are a beach-lover like me!) what a great post you put together! i especially love the photo of lance armstrong...what a bod! amazing!
What a finale... what a spectacular 3 weeks it has been. Hats off to you Julie..... this deserves a 'Blog Emmy' of some sort! A-M xx
There is something so endearing about Phil's voice! I look forward to it every year! x
What a great post...loved all the photos...thanks for the ride.
Well thanks for that Julie, I enjoyed every bit, you have put such a lot of work into the last three weeks the images were great & teasing me with Lance Armstrong phew I have gone all of a fluster (hee). !!!!
this is unreal !
i love this . you are so witty and stylish.
great post !
thanks for stopping by
xx
Grand finale indeed!
heyy ,Julie in Australia ... its Julie in Holland did you see the new movie coming out .. Julie and Julia.... with Meryl Streep as Julia Childs...the trailer looks like it might be cute... Julie in Holland :)
What a wonderful time it would be to be in Paris - to watch the end of the Tour (not that there is a bad time to be in Paris)! Happy weekend! Tracey xx
Oh WOW! I am a total Tour addict! How positivelly wonderful that you were there and to capture such fabulous shots! I so hope you might be there again this year! I plan to go one day in the future to.. but in the mean time depend on TY coverage and now your most beautiful blog!
Lou xx
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