The 2026 Tour de France is casting its shadow. While the official presentation of the route will not take place until 23 October in Paris, numerous details about the 113th edition of the Grande Boucle are already emerging. The blog Velowire is trying to draw up the route of the Tour in advance with the help of various sources, and the information has often proved to be correct in recent years. So far, only the Grand Départ in Barcelona on 4 July and the finale in Paris on 26 July have been officially confirmed, where the Montmartre climb is once again expected to be on the programme. The political tensions surrounding the participation of the Israel - Premier Tech team in the Vuelta a España 2025 have cast doubt on the start in Barcelona, but there is currently nothing to suggest a change. The race will kick off with a 19.7 kilometre team time trial in Barcelona, in which the times will be taken individually - a format that could give the classification riders an advantage. The second stage leads from Tarragona back to Barcelona with several climbs up Montjuïc in the finale. On the third day, the peloton will start in Granollers and head towards the French border, although the finish of this stage has not yet been officially announced.
The sixth stage, which will lead from Pau to the spectacular Cirque de Gavarnie, is set to be an absolute highlight. The natural amphitheatre formation, described by Victor Hugo as the "Colosseum of Nature", provides a dramatic backdrop for the finish. The climb to the Col de Tentes would lead the peloton into this impressive landscape for the first time, reported the French newspaper Sud Ouest. According to current information, the fifth stage could lead from Lannemezan to Pau and thus create the link between the Pyrenean stages.
Pyrenees with new challenges
After crossing the border from Spain into France, an exciting Pyrenean programme is on the horizon. For the third stage, there are indications of a mountain finish at the Les Angles ski station at an altitude of 1800 metres, reported the radio station ici Occitanie with reference to the statement of an official from the region. The fourth stage could lead from Limoux to Foix, although it is still unclear whether the finish will take place in the city centre or on the Prat d'Albis as in 2019. Contrary to earlier rumours, a mountain finish in Guzet-Neige no longer seems to be in the running, Velowire reported.
The sixth stage, which will lead from Pau to the spectacular Cirque de Gavarnie, is set to be an absolute highlight. The natural amphitheatre formation provides a dramatic backdrop for the finish. The climb to the Col de Tentes would lead the peloton into this impressive landscape for the first time. According to current information, the fifth stage could lead from Lannemezan to Pau and thus create the link between the Pyrenean stages.
Massif Central and the road to the east
After the Pyrenees and a probable sprint finale in Bordeaux on the seventh day, the Tour will move through the Dordogne and on to the Massif Central. A stage from Malemort to Ussel is planned for 12 July, before a stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran on 14 July - the French bank holidays. This route is likely to be reminiscent of the dramatic showdown between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar in 2024, when the Dane narrowly defeated his rival in a sprint.
The route then heads north with a stage from Vichy on 15 July, possibly finishing in Nevers. For 16 July, there are many indications that the Tour will arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône, where it has not been a guest since 2019. The route then continues towards the Vosges, with a stage from Dole to Belfort being discussed for 17 July.
Vosges and Jura as a bridge to the Alps
The second week of the tour should end with a classic: The return to La Planche des Belles Filles is on the cards for 18 or 19 July. The postponement of the Ultra Trail du Grand Ballon running event "due to a potential conflict with ASO regarding a stage of the 2026 Tour de France" underpins this assumption. After four consecutive visits between 2017 and 2022, it would be the return of the famous climb after a four-year break.
For the transition to the Alps, a stage from Champagnole to Thonon-les-Bains on 19 July seems likely, before the second rest day in Thonon-les-Bains. The hotel reservations in this region indicate that the Tour caravan will be staying longer, which speaks in favour of several stages in this area.
Alpine highlights with Alpe d'Huez at the centre
The third week will be all about the Alps, with the return to Alpe d'Huez likely to be the centrepiece. The legendary climb with its 21 hairpin bends was last on the programme in 2022 and is now set to be tackled again on 22 or 24 July. The local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré also reported on a possible time trial to the Plateau de Solaison in the Haute-Savoie, although it is still unclear whether this would take place before or after the stage to Alpe d'Huez.
A mountain finish in Orcières-Merlette, where Luis Ocaña humiliated Eddy Merckx in 1971 and Primož Roglič triumphed in 2020, is also on the cards. The exact sequence of the Alpine stages is not yet known, with two scenarios being discussed: Either the route leads from north to south through the Alps with an arrival in Alpe d'Huez on 22 July, or the peloton first moves southwards and then moves northwards again with a stage from Gap to Alpe d'Huez on 24 July.
Alpe d'Huez - A legendary climb
Thriller by the second at the Tour de France Femmes 2024
The pictures went around the world - Katarzyna Niewiadoma sits completely exhausted at the finish line and learns that she has won the Tour of France by just four seconds. Demi Vollering had almost made up a gap of 1:15 minutes, but was ultimately beaten by Niewiadoma, who fought her way to the finish with her last ounce of strength and won.
Pidcock races to one of his greatest successes
After his breakthrough as a professional in 2021, Thomas Pidcock celebrated his first victory in one of the grand tours in 2022. However, the Englishman didn't win just any stage, but the 12th stage of the Tour de France with the legendary final climb to Alpe d'Huez. Prior to this, Pidcock demonstrated his skills on the descents until he was able to shake off his last two pursuers on the final climb.
Party zone Alpe d'Huez
In addition to the great sporting moments, the serpentines to Alpe d'Huez stand for one thing above all: party! Anyone who comes here is either part of this cycling party or wants to see this spectacle in real life. Whether wearing the cycling jersey of their favourite team or disguised in some other way, flags are waved, cheered on and Bengalos brandished (leaving aside the discussion about the dangerous pyrotechnics). But one thing is certain. Anyone who stands along the route here will have an unforgettable experience.
Finale on the Champs Élysées
The finale traditionally takes place in Paris, with the arrival on the Champs-Élysées set. After its successful debut in 2025, the spectacular climb over Montmartre and Rue Lepic should also be back on the programme. The final stage is expected to start from the department of Yvelines, which has a long-term contract with the Tour de France.
Presentation of the Tour de France 2026 on 23 October
If the climb to Alpe d'Huez really is back on the programme in 2026, it is likely to be one of the highlights of the route presentation, at which the complete Tour de France 2026 will be officially presented on 23 October. The first three stages with the Grand Depart in Barcelona were presented by the organiser ASO at the beginning of the year.
Leon Weidner
Working student
