2026 Tour de France
July 4, 2026 – July 26, 2026 CEST
The 2026 Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional cycling and the most famous of the three “Grand Tours.” Known for its legendary mountain passes in the Alps and Pyrenees, the vibrant publicity caravan, and the iconic Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey), this edition marks a historic journey starting in Spain before returning to French soil.
📅 When and Where is the 2026 Tour de France?
- Dates: Saturday, July 4th – Sunday, July 26th, 2026.
- The Grand Départ: The race begins in Barcelona, Spain. This marks the 27th Grand Départ held abroad and the 3rd time Spain has hosted the opening of the Tour.
- The Finish: The race concludes on July 26th with the traditional world-famous sprint on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
📊 2026 Tour de France Race Program and Statistics
The 113th edition is a test of extreme endurance, covering 7 regions and 29 departments across France.
- Total Distance: 3,333 km (2,071 mi)
- Total Elevation Gain: 54,450 m
- Riders: 184 riders representing 23 teams.
- Stage Breakdown:
- 7 Flat Stages (Sprinter favorites)
- 4 Hilly Stages (Puncheurs and attackers)
- 8 Mountain Stages (Including 5 summit finishes)
- 1 Team Time Trial (Barcelona – 19.7 km)
- 1 Individual Time Trial (Évian to Thonon – 26 km)
- Mountains: The route visits the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura, and the Alps.
- The “Roof”: The Col du Galibier (2,642m) serves as the high point of the 2026 Tour.
🗺️ Official 2026 Tour de France Schedule
| Stage | Date | Course | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 July | Barcelona (Spain) | 19.7 km | Team time trial |
| 2 | 5 July | Tarragona to Barcelona (Spain) | 178 km | Hilly stage |
| 3 | 6 July | Granollers (Spain) to Les Angles | 196 km | Mountain stage |
| 4 | 7 July | Carcassonne to Foix | 182 km | Hilly stage |
| 5 | 8 July | Lannemezan to Pau | 158 km | Flat stage |
| 6 | 9 July | Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre | 186 km | Mountain stage |
| 7 | 10 July | Hagetmau to Bordeaux | 175 km | Flat stage |
| 8 | 11 July | Périgueux to Bergerac | 182 km | Flat stage |
| 9 | 12 July | Malemort to Ussel | 185 km | Hilly stage |
| — | 13 July | Rest Day: Cantal | — | — |
| 10 | 14 July | Aurillac to Le Lioran | 167 km | Mountain stage |
| 11 | 15 July | Vichy to Nevers | 161 km | Flat stage |
| 12 | 16 July | Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône | 181 km | Flat stage |
| 13 | 17 July | Dole to Belfort | 205 km | Hilly stage |
| 14 | 18 July | Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering | 155 km | Mountain stage |
| 15 | 19 July | Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison | 184 km | Mountain stage |
| — | 20 July | Rest Day: Haute-Savoie | — | — |
| 16 | 21 July | Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains | 26 km | Individual time trial |
| 17 | 22 July | Chambéry to Voiron | 175 km | Flat stage |
| 18 | 23 July | Voiron to Orcières-Merlette | 185 km | Mountain stage |
| 19 | 24 July | Gap to Alpe d’Huez | 128 km | Mountain stage |
| 20 | 25 July | Le Bourg-d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez | 171 km | Mountain stage |
| 21 | 26 July | Thoiry to Paris (Champs-Élysées) | 130 km | Flat stage |
🎟️ Tickets for the 2026 Tour de France
Watching the Tour from the roadside is free of charge. For those seeking a more curated experience:
- Roadside: No tickets required. For the double ascent of Alpe d’Huez, arrive 48–72 hours early.
- Tribunes: Grandstand seating in Paris or start/finish towns usually goes on sale in Spring 2026.
- Hospitality: VIP “Izoard” or “Relais Etape” packages provide gourmet catering and views of the final kilometers.
✈️ Traveling to the 2026 Tour de France
- By Air: Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) for the start; Paris (CDG/ORY) for the finish; Lyon (LYS) or Geneva (GVA) for the Alps.
- By Train: The TGV network is the most efficient way to follow the race across France.
- Cycling: Road closures on mountain stages typically occur 12–24 hours before the peloton arrives.
🏨 Where to Stay for the 2026 Tour de France
- Booking Tip: Check the 10 new stage towns (like Gavarnie-Gèdre or Plateau de Solaison) for availability as they appear on the route for the first time.
- Lodging: Use “Logis de France” for rural charm or boutique hotels in hubs like Bordeaux and Vichy.
🚲 2026 Tour de France Fan Experience
- The Publicity Caravan: Expect a 12km parade of floats distributing millions of souvenirs roughly 2 hours before the riders.
- Time Bonuses: 10, 6, and 4 seconds will be awarded to the top 3 finishers of each stage, ensuring aggressive racing until the final meter.
🔗 Helpful Links for the 2026 Tour de France
- Official Tour de France Website
- UCI Official Site
- Explore France (Official Tourism)
- Barcelona Tourism (Grand Départ Info)
Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Sports Tourist