Paris-Roubaix isn’t just a race, it’s a huge party with dust, cobbles, and an insane vibe!
Picture this: you’re surrounded by fans hyping up in front of a giant screen showing the race live – it’s the countdown to the cobble sectors, only 3 left before we hit the fan zone…
Then you hear the helicopters, the pressure’s building, you know the riders aren’t far now… and boom, it’s pure excitement as the riders pass by – all with the smell of beer, fries, and cobble dust in the air..
That’s the Paris-Roubaix spirit in the fan zones: free, accessible, and totally electrifying.
Starting Saturday morning, warm up your voice and palms by cheering on the brave riders of the Paris-Roubaix Challenge, then in the afternoon it’s time for the Women’s ELITE race.
Ready to discover the best fan zones where you’ll have to shout to be heard? Let’s go, here they are in the order the riders pass through.
PS : I generated some illustrations with AI just to see how they’d turn out. So if you spot cyclists raising both arms while riding over cobbles, it’s all good… seems like the AI doesn’t mind loosing a few teeth on the way– haha! 🤪
PS2 : These fan zone details are from 2024, and I’ll update the article as we go.
📅 Last update: February 11, 2025
In Haveluy
On-site activities include: an eco-friendly carousel where kids actively participate by pedaling, a big double-bump slide for some serious thrills, a stand serving up irresistible fries, and sweet treats from a food truck with ice cream, crepes, and much more..
📍 Near sector n°20, also known as the Bernard Hinault Sector
📅 Fan zone open on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: around 2:30 pm – and 12:30 pm for the U23 race
At the Trouée d’Arenberg
This is the perfect spot to feel the pulse of the race! It’s a festival atmosphere with a very international crowd. Just before the entrance to the cobbled sector, a fan zone with a giant screen and activities gets the party started.
In the morning, everyone warms up with a strong coffee to handle the cold. But as soon as the sun starts to show around 10 am, the cups mysteriously disappear… replaced by nice cold pints – of course, straight from the North, we don’t mess around with that!
📍 Near sector n°19
📅 Fan zone open on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: between 2:50 pm and 3:10 pm
In the town of Sars-et-Rosière
Fries, sandwiches, beers, giant screen, activities, quizzes, and surprises to win! 🎁🎉… In short, everything you need to be the perfect supporter, all packed into a fan zone surrounded by greenery, right by the roadside. A giant screen will be there to follow the race live, especially the finish, because – let’s be honest – once the riders pass, it’s impossible to jump in the car and catch up with them further along.
📍 Near sector n°15
📅 Fan zone open on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: between 3:20 pm and 3:40 pm
At La Bersée
On the agenda: inflatable castles for fun, wooden games to challenge your friends, and an instant photo booth to leave with a souvenir. For treats, a food truck specializing in fries and a stand offering Liège waffles will be there to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
📍 Near sector n°12
📅 Fan zone open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: just before 4 pm
Near Templeuve-en-Pévèle
The party will be in full swing at the foot of the Moulin de Vertain with five races crossing Templeuve: the women’s race and Challenge race on Saturday, followed by the professional, junior, and U23 events on Sunday. On-site, a giant screen, a refreshment stand, and partner stalls will ensure a friendly and immersive atmosphere.
📍 Near sector n°8
📅 Fan zone open on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: between 4:20 pm and 4:50 pm
At the Carrefour de L’Arbre in Gruson
It’s one of the most iconic cobblestone sectors of the race, as it’s the last tough one before the finish line. The race can be decided here! On-site, you’ll find a giant screen, a podium truck, animations, live TV coverage of the Queen of the Classics, and light refreshments to fully enjoy the event in a festive and international atmosphere.
📍 Near sector n°4
📅 Fan zone open on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Rider passage: between 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm
At the historical Vélodrome in Roubaix
The center of the world for a few seconds… The tension rises, the helicopters hover above the Velodrome… And then the crowd erupts as the first riders burst in. The bell rings for the final lap… And when the winner crosses the line after three laps, it’s a wave of cheers and emotions sweeping through the stadium. The magic of Paris-Roubaix, live!
To experience this, it’s free, open, no reservation required ✦ BUT first come, first served!
→ To get the best spot in the stands, in front of the screens, I recommend arriving around 1 pm on Sunday for the Men’s race. For the Women’s race on Saturday, there’s usually a bit less crowd. But every year the crowd grows, so don’t wait too long!
→ Don’t worry if you’re a little late: there’s always space on the grass around the Velodrome (just make sure to bring something to stay dry and maybe an umbrella… Yes, sometimes it rains in the North – hehe).
→ If everything is packed to the brim because you’re running late, the perfect backup plan: the end of cobblestone sector n°1, just before entering the Velodrome. You’ll see them pass up close, knowing they’re at the end of their race, so close to victory… you can feel the tension…
📍 André-Pétrieux Velodrome
📅 Fan zone open Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm
🚴♂️ Riders’ arrival: between 5:05 pm and 5:30 pm
⚠️ Logistics reminder around the Velodrome: be aware of traffic restrictions on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s an accessibility map around the Velodrome:
To make the most of the party ✌️
✅ Wear good shoes because you’ll need to walk to reach some zones. Between the fan zone setups and the race logistics, access can be tricky. Plus, some fan zones are in the middle of nowhere, so it can get muddy.
✅ Bring something to cover yourself, as the weather in April can be quite unpredictable. You can go from sunshine to rain in just 15 minutes.s.
✅ Be patient if you’re driving, as everyone arrives and leaves at the same time.
✅ Keep your dog on a leash.
A reminder that’s always good to read!
⛔ Don’t run alongside the riders
⛔ Don’t touch the riders
⛔ Don’t throw water or other liquids at their faces
⛔ Don’t insult the riders
⛔ Don’t cross the safety barriers
⛔ Don’t light smoke flares near the riders
⛔ Don’t leave your trash in nature
⛔ Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking!
Make the celebration amazing! 😃🎉
Get your best party songs ready, your rallying cries to pump up the crowd. Draw some awesome signs, bring out your best flags for a shot on TV, rock those funky banana or dinosaur costumes, and wear your most stylish caps!
And why not celebrate the event with some locally-made cycling accessories from the North of France?
Come visit me at my shop in Roubaix, just a short walk from Grand Place, at 36 rue du Général Sarrail.
