Tour de France 2026
Phénomén’Alpes
Big eventHip, Hip, Hip Hautes-Alpes !
It’s official! The Tour de France will return to the Hautes-Alpes for 3 days for the men in 2026 (Champsaur Valgaudemar, Le Dévoluy, Gapençais and Briançonnais) for the seventh time since 2015. On the menu for this 113th edition, a first stage in the Alps on July 23 between Voiron and Orcières-Merlette 1850 (185.5 km), a second on July 24 between Gap and Alpe d’Huez (via the Col du Noyer) and a “crazy” finale on July 25 between Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez (171.5 km) via the Col du Galibier (Toit du Tour 2026) and Col du Lautaret, the day before the finish on the Champs-Élysées. The women’s Tour de France will also be taking part, with 1 day 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 heading for the Col du Noyer (1,664 m) on its eastern side, the most selective, with a long 22 km climb at an average gradient of almost 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 chef’s surprise! On the eve of the finish on the Champs-Elysées, the Tour de France will take on a final dimension, and what a dimension! On the program: the Cols du Télégraphe and de la Croix de Fer, then a return to the Hautes-Alpes to the mythical Col du Galibier, before a descent to the Col du Lautaret, Villar d’Arène and La Grave. A grand finale with 5,600 m of ascent.
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 be in the spotlight at the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona. This presence marks the region’s deep attachment to the Grande Boucle and its key 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.
