Tour de France 2026
Phénomén’Alpes
Big Event: Hip, Hip, Hip, Hautes-Alpes!
It’s official! The Tour de France will return to the Hautes-Alpes for three days in 2026 (Champsaur Valgaudemar, Le Dévoluy, Gapençais, and Briançonnais)—marking its seventh visit since 2015. On the schedule for this113th edition is a first stage in the Hautes-Alpes on July 23 between Voiron and Orcières-Merlette 1850 (185.5 km), a second stage on July 24 between Gap and Alpe d’Huez (via the Col du Noyer), and on July 25, a “crazy” finale between Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez (171.5 km) via the Col du Galibier (Roof of the Tour 2026) and the Col du Lautaret, the day before the finish on the Champs-Élysées. The Women’s Tour de France will also be part of the festivities with one stage in the Sisteronais-Buëch region.
Stage 18 – Thursday, July 23
Voiron → Orcières-Merlette 1850
The Tour de France returns to Orcières-Merlette for its sixth stage finish on July 23. Departing from Voiron, the riders will cover 185.5 km on the Route Napoléon via Chauffayer, La Fare-en-Champsaur, Chabottes, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes and Pont-du-Fossé, before the final ascent to the resort.
Since the Tour’s last stage finish in 2020, the resort has been completely modernized, with a redesigned snow front and renovated resort center, offering a renewed setting for hosting the event.
Stage 19 – Friday, July 24
Gap → L’Alpe d’Huez
For the 28th time, Gap will be the starting town for a stage of the Tour de France. On the program: a demanding 128.5 km to Alpe d’Huez.
Right from the start, the riders will climb the Col Bayard (2nd category), before reaching the Col du Noyer (1,664 m) via its eastern slope—the most demanding route—with a long 22-km climb averaging nearly 8% before the descent into the Dévoluy Valley.
This terrain is ideal for climbers on the offensive, and leads to the mythical finale at Alpe d’Huez, with the 21-lacet ascent to the resort, the judge of this mountain stage.
Stage 20 – Saturday, July 25
Le Bourg d’Oisans → L’Alpe d’Huez
It’s the organizer’s surprise! On the eve of the finish on the Champs-Élysées, the Tour de France is about to take on a whole new dimension—and what a dimension it is! On the agenda: the Télégraphe and Croix de Fer passes, followed by a return to the Hautes-Alpes to the legendary Col du Galibier before a descent to the Col du Lautaret, Villar d’Arène, and La Grave. A spectacular finale with 5,600 meters of elevation gain.
Tour de France Women – Saturday, August 8
Sisteron → Nice
While the “giant of Provence”, the Ventoux, will be on the menu the day before, the women’s Tour de France will also make a stopover the following day, Saturday August 8, 2026, in Sisteron for the longest stage of this edition (175 km) on the way to Nice via the Durance valley. This is an opportunity to highlight the territory of the Sisteronais-Buëch.
“With this course, which builds to a crescendo, everything has been done so that, whoever the yellow jersey is 48 hours from the finish, no one can say: ‘It’s done!’”
Stage profiles
Discover all the technicalities of the Haute-Alpes stages
Stage 18
Voiron – Orcières Merlette 1850
185 km
Arrival at 1,825 m
Orcières climb at 6.7% for 7.1 km
Stage 19
Gap – L’Alpe d’Huez
128 km
Col Bayard at 7.2% for 5.1 km
Stage 20
Le Bourg d’Oisans – L’Alpe d’Huez
171 km
Col du Galibier at 6.9% for 17.7 km
2,642 m altitude; le Toit du Tour
Tour de France Women – Stage 8
Sisteron – Nice
175 km
Highlights of the Tour de France 2026
Great start
The Hautes-Alpes will take center stage right from the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona. This presence underscores the region’s deep connection to the Tour de France and its indispensable role in the history of cycling.
Grand Cols Tour
The Guillestrois-Queyras, Hautes Vallées and Serre Chevalier tourist offices are offering cyclists the chance to take part in the Tournée des Grands Cols. On the program: five legendary passes (Agnel, Izoard, Granon, Galibier, Échelle) reserved successively for cyclists. Each stage will be punctuated by local heritage events and tastings of local produce.
Avant Tour Challenge
May 30 and 31, 2026, as part of Mai à Vélo and the Fête du Tour. For two days, participants will ride two legendary climbs, the Col du Noyer and the climb to Orcières, on closed roads, in conditions close to those of the Tour de France. The event follows the official route of the Tour de France 2026, offering an immersive experience before the professional riders pass through. Accessible via the Strava application.
Practical Information
Road Closures
