Froome survived two crashes and even a jog up a mountain road on the way to his third title.
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The Kenyan-born British rider finished safely at the back of the main pack in the final stage, arm-in-arm with his teammates during the mostly ceremonial ending on the Champs-Elysees.
Froome was met just after the finish line by his wife Michelle and son Kellan as the celebrations began in earnest.
“I’m still learning so much about the sport, and I think tactically I’ve shown this year that I have matured, I have learnt a lot, that’s probably why I’ve been able to race way I have this year”, he said.
Andre Greipel of Germany won the 21st leg in a sprint finish.
Frenchman Roman Bardet took second ahead of a strangely satisfied Quintana but fifth-placed Australian Richie Porte was only 1min 12sec off Bardet, and he had lost 1:45 due to a late puncture on the second stage.
Then it was time for the traditional flute of champagne.
Froome’s bike is broken and, when a replacement reaches him, he struggles to get his shoes into the pedals. His teammates had yellow stripes on their jerseys and yellow handlebars on their bikes.
Wiggins was impressed by both of their performances and also believes Froome has finally silenced the sceptics who had previously accused him of doping.
Only four riders have more Tour wins – with five each – than Froome: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain. While the likes of Froome, Yates and Cummings were starring at the front of the race, McLay dug deep to finish inside the time cut and make it to Paris.
Four years ago, when Froome was a super-domestique at Team Sky, his team leader Bradley Wiggins followed up Tour glory with Olympic success.
“It would be my dream to keep coming back to the Tour for the next five to six years if I can and give it my best shot”.
Wiggins said: “It’s more disappointing for the clean athletes there that want to compete”.
“Chris is also a wonderful standard bearer for British sport who meets all of the challenges he faces with a great deal of dignity and quiet humour”.
But the 31-year-old is already focusing on next year’s Tour and beyond.
Regarding the time trial, he was more excited and felt that the event may cater to his strengths due to the fact that it is a longer time trial than riders typically race.
The strategy worked to perfection and Froome was hardly attacked.
“It’s going to be an extremely tough event”, Froome said. But credit to the French public, the race continued.
Out of respect for the Nice victims, Froome refused to discuss race details the day after the attack.
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Just like the 1978 strike, the tears of Richard Virenque when kicked out of the 1998 Tour over the Festina affair, or Lance Armstrong going off road on a unsafe mountain descent yet remaining upright, this year’s race provided an image that will endure for years.
