Paris does not fade out gently here; it gets crossed with purpose. Day 1 starts near the Seine, then points northeast through canals, bridges and working suburbs before the city begins to loosen its grip. Around Bassin de la Villette and the Canal de l’Ourcq, the route follows a useful, no-nonsense line out of town. Past Pantin and Bondy, traffic gives way to quieter stretches, open fields and the pull of the Marne valley. After roughly 54 km, Trilport closes the day just beyond Meaux: flat, direct and exactly right for settling into the tour.
