Paris-Roubaix 2026 — Viewing Plan
Back to Paris-Roubaix 2026
Our wishes
- See start of the Juniors U19 race
- Visit Chez Françoise in Troisvilles for a beer (iconic Paris-Roubaix café)
- See Elite Men at Trouée d’Arenberg (the only race that rides through it)
- See Elite Men at Mons-en-Pévèle
- See Elite Men at Carrefour de l’Arbre
- End at the Roubaix Vélodrome (elite finish or Women finish)
Key locations
| Location | What | Coordinates / Address |
|---|---|---|
| Avesnes-le-Sec | U19 start | ~30 km from hotel |
| Chez Françoise | Iconic café at sector 30 | 13 rue de Villers, 59980 Troisvilles |
| Trouée d’Arenberg | Sector 19 — only Elite Men | Forest near Wallers |
| Mons-en-Pévèle | Sector 11 ★★★★★ | ~48 km from elite finish |
| Carrefour de l’Arbre | Sector 4 ★★★★★ | ~17 km from finish |
| Roubaix Vélodrome | Finish line | Entrances via av. Maxence Van der Meersch or rue de Lannoy |
Race timing reference
Key sector times needed for the viewing plan (from road book data):
Elite Men — key sectors
| Sector | Km | Caravan | 47 km/h | 45 km/h | 43 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Troisvilles à Inchy | 95.8 | 11:29 | 13:07 | 13:13 | 13:19 |
| 29 Viesly à Quiévy | 102.3 | 11:38 | 13:16 | 13:21 | 13:28 |
| 19 Trouée d’Arenberg | 163.0 | 13:02 | 14:33 | 14:42 | 14:52 |
| 11 Mons-en-Pévèle | 209.7 | 14:08 | 15:33 | 15:45 | 15:58 |
| 4 Carrefour de l’Arbre | 241.2 | 14:51 | 16:13 | 16:27 | 16:41 |
| Finish | 258.3 | 15:15 | 16:35 | 16:49 | 17:05 |
Women — Carrefour de l’Arbre + finish
| Location | Km | 42 km/h | 40 km/h | 38 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector 3 Carrefour de l’Arbre | 126.0 | 17:45 | 17:54 | 18:04 |
| Finish | 143.1 | 18:09 | 18:20 | 18:31 |
U19 — start
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Départ fictif | 10:45 |
| Départ réel | 10:50 |
Driving distances between viewing points
| From → To | Distance | Normal drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel (Maubeuge) → Avesnes-le-Sec | ~30 km | ~35 min | |
| Avesnes-le-Sec → Troisvilles | ~30 km | ~35 min | Via D955/D21 |
| Troisvilles → Trouée d’Arenberg | ~50 km | ~50 min | Via Cambrai, avoid race route |
| Avesnes-le-Sec → Trouée d’Arenberg | ~35 km | ~40 min | More direct |
| Trouée d’Arenberg → Mons-en-Pévèle | ~30–35 km | ~40 min | Road closures likely |
| Trouée d’Arenberg → Carrefour de l’Arbre | ~35 km | ~45 min | Detour west to avoid race route |
| Mons-en-Pévèle → Carrefour de l’Arbre | ~15 km | ~20 min | |
| Carrefour de l’Arbre → Roubaix Vélodrome | ~15 km | ~20 min | Parking area closed from 07:00 |
| Troisvilles → Mons-en-Pévèle | ~45 km | ~50 min | West, avoiding race route |
Add 15–30 min to all drives on race day
Road closures, detours, and traffic near viewing points will slow you down significantly. See Road Closures.
Option A — Skip Mons
U19 start → Troisvilles + beer + elite sectors 30/29 → Arenberg → Carrefour de l’Arbre → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Troisvilles | ~30 km, ~35 min |
| ~11:35 | 🍺 Arrive Chez Françoise | Troisvilles |
| 11:35–13:10 | Beer + lunch + wait for elite | Troisvilles (~1.5h) |
| ~13:07–13:19 | ✅ Elite sector 30 (Troisvilles) | Troisvilles |
| ~13:16–13:28 | ✅ Elite sector 29 (Viesly) | ~6.5 km from Troisvilles |
| ~13:30 | Leave for Arenberg | ~50 km, ~55 min |
| ~14:25 | ⚠️ Arrive Arenberg | Tight! Caravan passed at 13:02 |
| 14:33–14:52 | ⚠️ Elite at Arenberg | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| ~14:55 | Leave for Carrefour | ~35 km, ~80 min buffer |
| ~15:45 | Arrive Carrefour de l’Arbre | Comfortable |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| — | Wait ~1h | |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
| ~18:30 | ✅ Women’s podium / finish area | Vélodrome |
Pros: Chez Françoise + elite at Troisvilles + Arenberg + Carrefour + Women Cons: ⚠️ One risky leg (Troisvilles → Arenberg). Road closures may cause you to miss Arenberg. Skips: Mons-en-Pévèle
Option B — Skip Arenberg
U19 start → Troisvilles + beer + elite sectors 30/29 → Mons-en-Pévèle → Carrefour de l’Arbre → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Troisvilles | ~30 km, ~35 min |
| ~11:35 | 🍺 Arrive Chez Françoise | Troisvilles |
| 11:35–13:10 | Beer + lunch + wait for elite | Troisvilles (~1.5h) |
| ~13:07–13:28 | ✅ Elite sectors 30/29 | Troisvilles area |
| ~13:30 | Leave for Mons-en-Pévèle | ~45 km, ~50 min — drive west |
| ~14:20 | Arrive Mons-en-Pévèle | ~70 min before elite! |
| 15:33–15:58 | ✅ Elite at Mons-en-Pévèle | Mons-en-Pévèle |
| ~16:00 | Leave for Carrefour | ~15 km, ~20 min |
| ~16:20 | Arrive Carrefour de l’Arbre | |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| — | Wait ~1h | |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
| ~18:30 | ✅ Women’s podium / finish area | Vélodrome |
Pros: Zero risky legs. Chez Françoise + Troisvilles + Mons + Carrefour + Women. Most sectors seen. Cons: No Arenberg (the one thing only elite does). Skips: Trouée d’Arenberg
Option C — Carrefour de l’Arbre marathon
U19 start → Troisvilles + beer + elite → Carrefour de l’Arbre (stay all afternoon, see all 4 races)
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Troisvilles | ~30 km |
| ~11:35 | 🍺 Chez Françoise | Troisvilles |
| ~13:07–13:28 | ✅ Elite sectors 30/29 | Troisvilles |
| ~13:30 | Leave for Carrefour de l’Arbre | ~55 km, ~60 min |
| ~14:30 | Arrive Carrefour, find your spot | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~14:05–14:28 | (U23 may have just passed or is passing) | |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
Pros: Zero risky legs. Relaxed. See elite + women at the most decisive sector. Great atmosphere builds all afternoon. Cons: No Arenberg. No Mons. Lots of waiting. Skips: Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle
Option D — Skip Troisvilles
U19 start → drive directly to Arenberg → Mons-en-Pévèle → Carrefour de l’Arbre → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Arenberg | ~35 km, ~40 min |
| ~11:40 | Arrive Arenberg | 3 hours early! |
| 11:40–14:50 | Explore forest, find spot, atmosphere | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| 14:33–14:52 | ✅ Elite at Arenberg | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| ~14:55 | Leave for Mons-en-Pévèle | ~35 km, ~40 min |
| ~15:35 | ⚠️ Arrive Mons | Tight with closures |
| 15:33–15:58 | ⚠️ Elite at Mons-en-Pévèle | Mons-en-Pévèle |
| ~16:05 | Leave for Carrefour | ~15 km, ~20 min |
| ~16:25 | Arrive Carrefour | |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| — | Wait ~1h | |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
| ~18:30 | ✅ Women’s podium / finish area | Vélodrome |
Pros: Relaxed arrival at Arenberg. Best forest experience. Arenberg + Mons + Carrefour + Women. Cons: ⚠️ One risky leg (Arenberg → Mons). No Chez Françoise. Skips: Chez Françoise, Troisvilles sectors
Option E — Skip Troisvilles + Mons (safest)
U19 start → Arenberg (3h there) → Carrefour de l’Arbre → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Arenberg | ~35 km, ~40 min |
| ~11:40 | Arrive Arenberg | 3 hours early |
| 11:40–14:50 | Explore, picnic, build-up | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| 14:33–14:52 | ✅ Elite at Arenberg | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| ~14:55 | Leave for Carrefour | ~35 km, 78 min buffer |
| ~15:45 | Arrive Carrefour | 30 min before elite |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| — | Wait ~1h | |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
| ~18:30 | ✅ Women’s podium / finish area | Vélodrome |
Pros: Zero risky legs. Every drive has 60+ min buffer. Relaxed Arenberg experience. Two most iconic sectors + Women. Cons: No Chez Françoise. No Troisvilles. No Mons. Skips: Chez Françoise, Troisvilles, Mons-en-Pévèle
Option F — Quick Françoise + relaxed Arenberg (recommended)
U19 start → quick beer at Chez Françoise → Arenberg (arrive before caravan!) → Carrefour de l’Arbre → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~10:30 | Arrive for U19 start | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| 10:45–10:50 | ✅ Watch U19 départ | Avesnes-le-Sec |
| ~11:00 | Leave for Troisvilles | ~30 km, ~35 min |
| ~11:35 | 🍺 Arrive Chez Françoise | Troisvilles — caravan just passed (11:29)! |
| 11:35–12:05 | Quick beer, soak up atmosphere | Chez Françoise — buzzing post-caravan |
| ~12:05 | Leave for Arenberg | ~50 km via Cambrai/Valenciennes |
| ~12:55 | Arrive Arenberg | Before caravan (13:02)! Zero closure issues |
| 12:55–14:50 | Explore forest, pick your spot | Trouée d’Arenberg — ~2h to enjoy build-up |
| 14:33–14:52 | ✅ Elite at Arenberg | Trouée d’Arenberg |
| ~14:55 | Leave for Carrefour de l’Arbre | ~35 km, 78 min buffer |
| ~15:45 | Arrive Carrefour | 30 min before elite |
| 16:13–16:41 | ✅ Elite at Carrefour de l’Arbre | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| — | Wait ~1h, grab frites | Follow race on France TV Sport app |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour de l’Arbre | Carrefour de l’Arbre |
| ~18:10 | Leave for Vélodrome | ~15 km |
| ~18:30 | ✅ Women’s podium / finish area | Vélodrome |
Pros: Zero risky legs. Chez Françoise beer. Relaxed 2h at Arenberg (arrive before caravan!). Carrefour for elite + women. Vélodrome. Cons: Don’t see elite at Troisvilles (leave before they arrive). No Mons. Skips: Elite at Troisvilles, Mons-en-Pévèle
Option G — Mons-en-Pévèle marathon (up to 4 races at one sector)
Chez Françoise → Arenberg walk → Mons-en-Pévèle all afternoon → Vélodrome
Skip the U19 start. Leave hotel at 09:00 to get to Mons-en-Pévèle early enough to potentially see all 4 races at one ★★★★★ sector. Visit Troisvilles and Arenberg as “pilgrimages” — experience the places, not the race.
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~09:00 | Leave hotel (early checkout) | Campanile Maubeuge |
| ~09:45 | 🍺 Arrive Chez Françoise | Troisvilles (~45 km) — early, café waking up for race day |
| 09:45–10:15 | Quick beer, feel the anticipation | Chez Françoise |
| ~10:15 | Leave for Arenberg | ~50 km, ~50 min |
| ~11:05 | Walk through the Trouée d’Arenberg | Wallers — empty forest, just you and the cobbles |
| ~11:25 | Leave for Mons-en-Pévèle | ~35 km, ~40 min — all before any closures |
| ~12:05 | Arrive Mons-en-Pévèle | Find the perfect spot, settle in |
| 12:13–12:19 | ⚠️ U19 at Mons | ~8 min buffer — tight but possible |
| 13:25–13:43 | ✅ U23 at Mons | ~1h wait |
| 15:33–15:58 | ✅ Elite at Mons | ~2h wait — lunch, atmosphere builds |
| 17:00–17:14 | ✅ Women at Mons | ~1h wait |
| ~17:15 | Leave Mons |
After Mons — two sub-options
G1: Quick Carrefour (Women) → Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~17:15 | Leave Mons → Carrefour | 15 km, ~20 min |
| ~17:35 | Arrive Carrefour de l’Arbre | 10 min before Women |
| 17:45–18:04 | ✅ Women at Carrefour de l’Arbre | |
| ~18:05 | Leave → Vélodrome | 15 km, ~20 min |
| ~18:25 | ⚠️ Catch Women’s finish tail / podium | Vélodrome |
G2: Straight to Vélodrome
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| ~17:15 | Leave Mons → Vélodrome | ~25 km, ~30 min |
| ~17:45 | Arrive Vélodrome | |
| 18:09–18:31 | ✅ Women’s finish | Comfortable, 25 min to find a spot |
Pros: Zero risky legs — all driving before 12:30, before any closures. Up to 4 races at one legendary sector. Arenberg pilgrimage. Chez Françoise. ~5h at Mons to eat, drink, soak up the atmosphere. No rushing. Cons: No U19 start. Don’t see any race at Arenberg. U19 at Mons is tight (~8 min buffer). Long wait at Mons between U23 and Elite (~2h). Skips: U19 start, racing at Arenberg, Carrefour de l’Arbre (for elite)
Comparison
| U19 start | Françoise 🍺 | Arenberg race | Mons | Carrefour Elite | Women (sector) | Vélodrome | Races seen | Risky legs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Skip Mons | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | — | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 4 | 1 |
| B Skip Arenberg | ✅ | ✅ | — | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 4 | 0 |
| C Carrefour marathon | ✅ | ✅ | — | — | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 3 | 0 |
| D Skip Troisvilles | ✅ | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 4 | 1 |
| E Safest | ✅ | — | ✅ | — | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 3 | 0 |
| F Quick Françoise | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | — | ✅ | ✅ Carrefour | ✅ | 3 | 0 |
| G Mons marathon | — | ✅ | walk | ✅ | — | ✅ Mons+? | ✅ | 3–4 at Mons | 0 |
Two standout options
Option F — chase the iconic moments: Chez Françoise, Arenberg (see elite race!), Carrefour (elite + women). Zero risky legs. Option G — plant yourself at Mons-en-Pévèle and watch up to 4 races roll through one ★★★★★ sector. Arenberg walk as pilgrimage. Zero risky legs.
Notes
- Arenberg 2026 route change: infamous chicane removed, replaced by detour through Arenberg mining site (four 90-degree turns in final km before the forest)
- At Carrefour de l’Arbre, the ~1h gap between elite and women is perfect for food/rest
- Vélodrome gates open at ~13:00 — free general admission
- Parking near velodrome closed from 07:00 — use McArthur Glen car park or park away and walk
- Follow race live on France TV Sport app or france.tv
- See Road Closures for detailed closure timing and driving implications