The 113th edition of the Tour de France returns to a finish that has already become legendary after just one year. The peloton will set off on a 130-kilometer ride from Thoiry, and return to Paris with a spectacular passage through Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement, which won over the public in 2025. The triple ascent of Rue Lepic is now an essential stage of the Grande Boucle, established after the popular success of the Olympic events at the 2024 Paris Games. This year, the Parisian route features a new addition that should delight sprint enthusiasts.
Unlike last year, the finish line on the Champs-Élysées will be located about 15 kilometers from the Sacré-Cœur. This strategic change offers sprinters one last chance to battle for stage victory on Paris' most prestigious avenue. Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, confirms this change: the riders will complete three laps of the Montmartre circuit before descending towards the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement.
The 2026 Tour de France will start in Barcelona on Saturday, July 4, with a team time trial, a first since 1971. The race will cross the five French mountain ranges with a total of 30 passes and 3,333 kilometers on the clock. The final stages promise to be formidable, with the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb twice in two days just before Paris.
Christian Prudhomme sums up the spirit of this year's race: "The route has really been a crescendo, with the toughest stages at the end." The penultimate stage will feature a total elevation gain of 5,600 meters with a series of climbs including the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, and Col du Galibier. "Such a positive elevation gain on the eve of the Champs-Élysées is unprecedented," says the director of the Grande Boucle. For fans of sporting achievements, this edition promises to be epic, as evidenced by the other spectacular stages of the Grande Boucle.
Last year, the dense crowd gathered around the Sacré-Cœur and in the narrow streets of Montmartre created an unprecedented atmosphere for the final stage of the Tour. The spectacle generated the highest audience ratings in 25 years, with more than 9 million viewers. This popular success convinced the organizers to make this now iconic stage a permanent fixture, as explained on the official website of the City of Paris.
Christian Prudhomme confirms: "A big thank you to the Paris police chief, who has confirmed that we can once again pass through Montmartre." The famous Rue Lepic in the 18th arrondissement, which has become legendary in just two years, will once again serve as the backdrop for this cycling festival in the heart of the capital.
If you want to make the most of the spectacle, there are several strategic locations to choose from. The Butte Montmartre remains a must-see. Settle down on Rue Lepic or near the Sacré-Cœur to experience the riders' ascent in a crazy atmosphere. The gradient breaks the cyclists' legs, allowing you to see them progress at a slower pace. Be warned, however, you'll need to arrive very early as the best spots get taken quickly.
For a more chic atmosphere, the Place de la Concorde offers the chance to see the cyclists pass by several times in one of the most beautiful settings in Paris. Take advantage of each lap to watch the riders before the finish line. Unmissable, but get there early in the morning. Rue Caulaincourt in the 18th arrondissement offers total proximity to the riders. The atmosphere is more subdued, and you can settle down on the tree-lined sidewalks or higher up, along the Montmartre cemetery, to admire the caravan and the riders slowing down in the turns.
Before riding along the Seine, the riders will pass by the Louvre pyramid and cross the Cour Napoléon. The Tuileries Garden is also an excellent vantage point, with the added bonus of being able to organize a family picnic in this green space while enjoying the event. Finally, to see the final sprint, the Champs-Élysées remains the best place to be, even if the crowds will be dense.
As every year, significant security measures will be in place. Traffic restrictions will begin gradually on Saturday evening. On Sunday, July 26, expect road closures from 6 a.m. on the Champs-Élysées on the Étoile side, then from 9 a.m. in the Concorde and Madeleine areas. From 1 p.m., the Montmartre and Grands Boulevards areas will be inaccessible to motor vehicles.
Parking will be prohibited from 6 p.m. on Saturday evening along the entire route. Vehicles left parked will be systematically impounded, and please note that even bicycles are subject to these restrictions. As for public transportation, several metro stations will be closed: Tuileries, Concorde, Clémenceau, Franklin Roosevelt, George V, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, and Madeleine will remain closed all day. Starting at 1 p.m., the Villiers, Rome, Place de Clichy, and Blanche stations, as well as the Montmartre funicular, will no longer be accessible.
To access the SILT perimeter (close protection perimeter), you will have to pass through security checkpoints and agree to a search. Pedestrians can move freely in most areas, except for three streets in Montmartre that are closed during the race: Rue Norvins, Rue Puget, and Rue Coustou. The route will be protected by barriers, and pedestrians will only be able to cross at designated crossing points.
Our advice? Use public transportation to get there and arrive as early as possible, ideally before 1:00 p.m. if you're heading to Montmartre. Bring something to drink, comfortable shoes, and a picnic to tide you over. Traffic restrictions will only be lifted after 8:30 p.m., so be prepared to spend the whole day there.
In short, see you on Sunday, July 26, 2026, to cheer on the peloton as it passes through the streets of Paris. Whether you're in Montmartre or on the Champs-Élysées, the atmosphere promises to be exceptional once again for this triumphant arrival of the Grande Boucle. If you're looking for a great sporting event to attend this summer in Paris, now is the time to block your calendar. Let's go and discover one of the capital's most popular festivals, which thrills millions of French people every year.
Tour de France 2026: discover the different stages and route of this new edition
Let's take a look at the planned route for the 2026 edition of the Tour de France! 3,333 kilometers of road, starting in Barcelona, with 21 stages, and finishing on the Champs-Elysées! [Read more]
The 2026 Tour de France promises a spectacular finale with its 21st stage, which will start in Thoiry (Yvelines) on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and head for the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The program includes 130 kilometers and three passes through the legendary Rue Lepic in Montmartre, a formula that is already thrilling cycling enthusiasts. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
On July 26, 2026
Location
The Champs Elysées
75008 Paris 8
Recommended age
For all
Tour de France 2026: discover the different stages and route of this new edition
Tour de France 2026: the final stage in the Yvelines region, starting in Thoiry (78)
