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Follow us on GoogleThe route for the Tour de France has been announced. After a BritishGrand Depart, the route features 71 kilometers of time trials and only three true mountain-top finishes. The final stage back to Paris, including Montmartre, is also making a “regular” return. Is this a route perfect for Remco Evenepoel?
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Grand Départ in the United Kingdom
Once again, we won’t be starting in France. This has been known for some time: in 2027, the Grand Départ will take place in the United Kingdom, starting in Edinburgh, Scotland.
A 184-kilometer flat stage will once again give the sprinters a chance to claim the yellow jersey, with a flat finish in Carlisle. The second stage to Liverpool is a bit longer and more challenging, but another sprint finish is expected.
After that, it gets a lot tougher. The stage between Welshpool and Cardiff will feature some truly steep 'British' climbs. The final stretch is familiar to riders of the Tour of Britain. But thanks to the hilly finish in Wales, a much tougher stage is expected—a fitting tribute to Geraint Thomas, the 2019 Tour winner.
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A long, flat time trial, opportunities to attack, and the Grand Colombier
After a rest day in Normandy, we’ll continue with a tough stage on the other side of the Channel in Cherbourg.
And it remains challenging: we’ll finish in Plumelec, where Alejandro Valverde claimed the yellow jersey on the final day in 2008. Once again, the finish line is on the Côte du Cadoudal.
The sprinters will finally get another chance in Angers. After that, it’s the first real test for the general classification contenders.
The first 2027 Tour de France time trial is a gift to Remco Evenepoel
After all, the time trial between Blois and Chambord is a whopping 38 kilometers, running right past the castles of the Loire Valley. Remco Evenepoel will be salivating at the prospect.
The next day looks more like a stage for the attackers, with the finish in Le Creusot: Matej Mohoric won here in 2021. Now, the route includes no less than 3,100 meters of climbing. But things won’t get really tough until later.
Because Stage 9 is the Grand Colombier stage. It’s a day with nearly 4,000 meters of elevation gain—the first true mountain stage. Just like in 2023, the riders will tackle the Giant of the Jura via the stunning hairpin turns from Artemare.
A day later, we’ll finish in Sallanches, where the riders will get a preview of the upcoming World Championships with a grueling stage through the low mountain range.
Isaac Del Toro won the Grand Colombier stage of the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes.
Alpine giants skipped, second time (trial)'s a charm
Next up is the national holiday, July 14. For that day, the Tour de France has packed a whopping 4,750 meters of elevation gain into 150 kilometers, finishing in Les Saisies via the Col du Pré and the Montée de Bisanne.
The Alpine giants are skipped. The sprinters will finally get another chance in Valence, on Stage 12. The following stage is also suited for the fast riders.
Next comes the finish in Mende, featuring the infamous, grueling final climb and a total of 4,300 meters of elevation gain. The stage to Albi also appears to favour the breakaway, but after that (following the final rest day), it’s once again the time trialists’ turn.
The second time trial of the 2027 Tour de France will take the riders through Toulouse. There is a short climb at the three quarter make, with gradients of up to 20 percent, but otherwise the course is flat again.
A final sprint chance, and a brutal finale to the 2027 Tour de France
In Pau, Olav Kooij will have the chance to repeat his victory in the 2026 Tour de France, with another opportunity for a sprint finish. But after that, it’s time for the queen stage, featuring the Col du Soulor, the Col du Tourmalet, the Hourquette d’Anzican, and a finish on the “roof of the Tour,” the Col de Portet.
5,400 meters of elevation gain! The following stage to Laruns, featuring the Col de Marie Blanque, is also grueling.
Read more below the photo!
Jai Hindley won in Laruns in 2023. He also claimed the yellow jersey.
Despite speculation, Montmartre returns
Next up is a relatively flat stage—the 20th stage—to Libourne. After that, attention will turn to the final stage. The question was whether Montmartre would make a comeback: there was talk again of a classic sprinter’s opportunity in Paris, but other sources contradicted that.
And guess what? We’ll “just” be tackling three climbs up the Butte de Montmartre, with the final climb coming 10 kilometers from the finish line.
This sets the stage for another sensational finale to the Tour de France. Whether it can be as spectacular as Mathieu van der Poel’s victory remains to be seen.
Stages of the 2027 Tour de France
Stage 1 - Friday, July 2, 2027: Edinburgh - Carlisle (184 km)
Stage 2 - Saturday, July 3, 2027: Keswick - Liverpool (223 km)
Stage 3 - Sunday, July 4, 2027: Welshpool - Cardiff (223 km)
Stage 4 - Tuesday, July 6, 2027: Cherbourg - Cherbourg (171 km)
Stage 5 - Wednesday, July 7, 2027: Pontorsson - Plumelec (178 km)
Stage 6 - Thursday, July 8, 2027: Vannes - Angers (193 km)
Stage 7 - Friday, July 9, 2027: Blois - Chambord (time trial, 38 km)
Stage 8 - Saturday, July 10, 2027: Bourges - Le Creusot (224 km)
Stage 9 - Sunday, July 11, 2027: Villars-les-Dombes - Grand Colombier (162 km)
Stage 10 - Tuesday, July 13, 2027: Annecy - Sallanches (171 km)
Stage 11 - Wednesday, July 14, 2027: Cluses - Les Saisies (150 km)
Stage 12 - Thursday, July 15, 2027: Chambéry - Valence (162 km)
Stage 13 - Friday, July 16, 2027: Aubenas - Montpellier (164 km)
Stage 14 - Saturday, July 17, 2027: Montpellier - Mende (199 km)
Stage 15 - Sunday, July 18, 2027: Rodez - Albi (169 km)
Stage 16 - Tuesday, July 20, 2027: Toulouse - Toulouse (time trial, 33 km)
Stage 17 - Wednesday, July 21, 2027: Muret - Pau (186 km)
Stage 18 - Thursday, July 22, 2027: Pau - Col de Portet (174 km)
Stage 19 - Friday, July 23, 2027: Hasparren - Laruns (160 km)
Stage 20 - Saturday, July 24, 2027: Maubourguet - Libourne (198 km)
Stage 21 - Sunday, July 25, 2027: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - Champs-Élysées (116 km)
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the route—does a time trial mean every rider starts separately, and the fastest time wins the stage? Either way, 38km sounds like a long time to be racing alone!breakawaybikerd22-10-2026
- Montmartre again! Three ascents, with the last one 10km from the line, could make the finale far less predictable than a straightforward bunch sprint. Can’t wait.pedalpowe2922-10-2026
- The July 14 stage looks savage: 4,750 metres in just 150km is a proper day in the mountains. Skipping the biggest Alpine giants but finishing at Les Saisies should make for an interesting tactical race.velodromevirtuoso122-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock and only three summit finishes—Remco will be circling this one. But that Portet stage is brutal enough to undo a lot of damage in a hurry.davidm22-10-2026
- TotalEnergies’ sponsor situation makes this whole race for an invitation feel a bit academic unless they can secure funding. Hope they get it sorted—I’d love to see more teams get a crack at the Tour.cadencekingm21-10-2026
- Why do some teams get automatic invitations while others need a wildcard? Is it mainly based on their ranking from last year?robert6521-10-2026
- The paperwork deadline matters, but it’s odd that the UCI hasn’t explained what happens if a licence is vacated. Surely teams should know the process before the season is underway?velodromevirtuoso121-10-2026
- A guaranteed Tour start for the Rockets would be massive. Groenewegen has already shown he can deliver at WorldTour level, and the team looked well up to it at the Giro.gearguru3321-10-2026
- Pinarello-Q5 have made a strong case on the road, but a mid-cycle promotion would be messy if the UCI’s rules for filling a vacant licence aren’t clear. The riders and staff need certainty soon.jennifer1921-10-2026
- - The bike may be quick, but the article seems a bit too ready to credit the equipment for the result. Remco’s the one producing those watts—though I’ll admit, two minutes is a pretty convincing test ride.jennifer1918-10-2026
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