A few hours before the verdict of the Grande Boucle, the organizers of the Tour de France 2026 announced a major change to the final stage. The news was revealed live on France Télévisions by Alexandre Pasteur, this Saturday, July 25 at 4:00 p.m.
The decision comes as the large fires currently raging across the Gironde are drawing a significant portion of security forces and state services, forcing the organizers to scale back the race's security arrangements.
While the official team presentation will indeed be held in Thoiry in the Yvelines (78), the riders will not cover the original route all the way to Paris. They will head straight for the Champs-Élysées, where the actual start will be given at 17h50. The finish is now expected around 19h45. The direct consequence is that the distance drops from 132 km to just 89 km.
To preserve the sporting character of this final day, two extra laps of the Champs-Élysées have been added to the schedule. Spectators will also witness the three ascents of Rue Lepic, now a staple of the Parisian finale.
This adjustment is primarily intended to curb the deployment of law enforcement, which are heavily stretched by the response to the unprecedented wildfire currently affecting Gironde, while allowing the Tour de France to bring its 2026 edition to a close under safety conditions appropriate to the situation.
Dates and Opening Time
On July 26, 2026
Location
The Champs Elysées
75008 Paris 8
Official website
www.letour.fr
