The French Alps, with their legendary mountain passes and breathtaking scenery, are often at the heart of the Tour de France. In 2026, we invite you to discover all the magic of this legendary race through the eyes of Sébastien Jarrot, a local cycling ambassador. Whether you are a cycling enthusiast or simply a fan of major sporting events, here are the key dates, the official route and tips for watching the Tour de France in the mountains.
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The Tour de France in the Alps: milestones and key dates
Tour de France Men
From Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison
Stage 15
Date: Sunday 19 July
Resorts near the finish line: Le Grand-Bornand, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Morillon, Samoëns.
This major mountain stage could prove crucial. Challenging even for climbers, the nearly 5km ascent of the Col de la Croisette has an average gradient of 11.2%. The finish line at the Solaison plateau is reached via a narrow road through the villages of the Bornes massif, a perfect place to cheer on the riders!
From Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-Les-Bains
Stage 16
Date: Tuesday, 21 July
Resorts near the finish line: Abondance, Châtel, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps, Morzine, Avoriaz.
After a rest day, the peloton connects two spa towns. However, there will be no relaxation for the cyclists, who will have to demonstrate their versatility on a route that’s a third climbs, a third descents and a third flat terrain. This is an excellent stage to observe the changes in pace of the race.
From Chambéry to Voiron
Stage 17
Date: Wednesday 22 July
Resorts near the finish line: Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont, Aix-les-Bains, L’Alpe d’Huez.
The hills of Les Bauges and La Chartreuse should not deter climbers, although they will need a good deal of tenacity before the final sprint to Voiron. The stage will provide the ideal terrain for athletes to push their limits. It is a great opportunity to experience all the excitement of the Tour de France up close.
From Voiron to Orcières-Merlette
Stage 18
Date: Thursday 23 July
Resorts near the finish line: Orcières, Chaillol, Ancelle, Laye, Serre-Ponçon.
At this stage in the competition, the podium is still up for grabs and the best climbers still have a few stages to go to reach the top of the table. The climb to Saint-Nizier, followed by the sustained ascent to Orcières-Merlette, promise to be breathtaking and will reveal the full intensity of the Tour de France in the Alps.
From Gap to L’Alpe d’Huez
Stage 19
Date: Thursday 24 July
Resorts near the finish line: Auris en Oisans, Vaujany, Oz 3300, Les Deux Alpes.
These two successive stages towards Alpe d’Huez feature two very different routes. Stage 18 promises to be dynamic, and the most daring riders will probably attack from the very first kilometres. However, they will have to hold out until the Col d’Ornon before tackling the legendary climb with 21 hairpin bends to get to the Alpine resort.
From Bourg d’Oisans to L’Alpe D’Huez
Stage 20
Date: Saturday 25 July
Resorts near the finish line: Auris en Oisans, Vaujany, Oz 3300, Les Deux Alpes.
This is the Tour’s most monumental mountain stage, with a cumulative elevation gain of 5,600 metres. The riders will tackle the Col de la Croix de Fer and then the Col du Télégraphe, before facing the legendary Col du Galibier. The final climb to Alpe d’Huez will be via the Col de Sarenne for the first time in the history of the Tour. A historic day lies ahead, when the mountains will tremble under the force of the riders’ pedals.
If you are renting a chalet in the Pyrenées this summer, you may be interested to know that the third stage of the 2026 Tour de France, scheduled for 6 July, will link Granollers to Les Angles, passing through Font-Romeu.
Tour de France Women
From Lausanne to Lausanne
Stage 1
Date: Saturday 1 August
Resorts near the finish line: Les Paccots, Villars-sur-Ollon, Leysin, Champéry, Châtel.
Riders hoping to win the first ever Yellow Jersey in 2026 will need to shine on both flat terrain and short climbs. A loop leading to Lake Neuchâtel will be followed by two closely-spaced climbs, before a final 2.5km climb at 4.6%. Come and congratulate the participants at the end of their first stage, on Place Saint-François in Lausanne.
From Aigle to Geneva
Stage 2
Date: Sunday 2 August
Resorts near the finish line: Archamps, Annecy, Le Grand-Bornand, La Clusaz, Manigod.
After about 30 relatively flat kilometres through Montreux, cyclists will have to tackle a series of short climbs that could test the less resilient riders. However, we can expect the peloton to regroup before the finish line for a spectacular sprint on the Quai du Mont-Blanc, a magnificent setting to cheer on the riders as they pass by.
From Geneva to Poligny
Stage 3
Date: Monday 3 August
Things get tougher as the cyclists enter the Jura, with a cumulative elevation gain of 2,400 metres and the climb up the Col de la Faucille from the 25th kilometre. The descent will be punctuated by the Col de la Savine, then by the Côte de Chaux-Champagny, about 25 kilometres from the finish. A breakaway will then have to hold out until the final sprint in Poligny, as in the 19th stage of the 2023 Tour de France.
From Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon
Stage 4
Date: Tuesday 4 August
This short stage in Côte d’Or is a nod to the department’s number: 21 kilometres through the heart of department 21. Halfway through, the riders will face the short but intense Marsannay-la-Côte climb, with a gradient of 6.9% over 1.8 kilometres. The second half of the race will delight the sprinters, right up to the finish line in the capital of Burgundy.
A cycling ambassador: Sébastien Jarrot’s passion and experience
Discover our interview with Sébastien Jarrot (@cycliste_tricolore on Instagram), who allowed us to find out more about his personal experience of cycling in the Alps and the Tour de France…
OVO Network: As a cycling enthusiast and content creator for several brands, you’ve had the opportunity to experience the Tour de France in many different ways. What was your most memorable experience?
Sébastien Jarrot: Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the Tour de France, whether in front of the TV screen or at the roadside to experience the event live. The Tour is an open-air spectacle that forges heroes, and each edition is unique, with its own context and its own stories.
As a producer, this year was particularly memorable, as I was lucky enough to follow Team UAE and Tadej Pogačar, the winner of this edition, during the time trial in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Spending a whole day at the heart of the race, close to the riders and staff, was an unforgettable experience. What struck me was how serene and relaxed they were, despite the enormous pressure. Team UAE stands out for its approach: they cultivate an openness rare in the business, with warm-ups accessible to fans, which is not common among all teams.
On a personal level, sharing the experience with my children at the roadside on local stages was also magical. It’s a party that lasts all day, from the excitement of the publicity caravan to the passage of the riders, a unique and unforgettable moment.
OVO Network: This year, a few important stages of the men’s and women’s Tour de France will be held in the Alps. Why do stages in the Alps always make such an impression?
Sébastien Jarrot: The Alps, with their spectacular scenery and legendary passes, symbolise the essence of the Tour de France (again this year with the Col de la Madeleine). This year, they will host two stages for men and two for women, including a decisive final stage with a finish in Châtel. With the gaps in the competition becoming ever tighter, these stages promise an intense battle, like last year on Alpe d’Huez.
OVO Network: How to get the most out of the Tour de France (whether you’re a cycling fan or not)?
Sébastien Jarrot: The Tour de France is much more than just a race: it’s a unique, festive event to be experienced at least once. To make the most of it, here are a few tips:
- Choose stage starts rather than finishes. Starts are often less crowded than finishes, and riders are generally more accessible for exchanges or photos.
- Get organised. Visit the official Tour de France website to find all the practical information you need: access, timetables and spectator zones.
- Bring water and appropriate clothing. In July, temperatures can be high, so remember to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Whether you’re watching the publicity caravan or the riders, stay alert to avoid any incidents.
- For cycling fans. Why not live the experience to the full? Riding a stage on the eve of the race is an unforgettable experience, with a friendly atmosphere thanks to the fans already set up along the route.
- Plan accommodation nearby. Coming together is the best way to share this amazing experience during and after the race.
Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or simply curious, the Tour de France is an open-air celebration to be enjoyed without moderation.
OVO Network: Do you have any recommendations for a holiday that’s all about the Tour de France in the Alps?
Sébastien Jarrot:
- Explore mythical routes out of season.
From the end of April, take advantage of iconic routes like the queen stage between Albertville and La Plagne, ideal at this time of year thanks to reduced traffic and pleasant temperatures. For the perfect stay, OVO Network’s Chalet Pajules near Valmorel is an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area, or you can also choose to stay in the Portes du Soleil, which will host the finale of the Tour de France Femmes.
- Ride in the footsteps of the pros.
The Portes du Soleil, with its accessible passes and varied routes, offers superb terrain for the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes. This region is perfect for loops, with a view of Mont Blanc.
- Meet the pros outside the race.
After the Critérium du Dauphiné in early June, most of the professional teams come to reconnoitre the Alpine stages. It’s a great opportunity to meet riders in full preparation. A word of advice: they often enjoy a break in the local cafés around 3 p.m., after their training sessions.
- Plan ahead.
Tour days attract huge crowds: remember to book your accommodation early.
With a little planning, your Tour de France holiday is sure to become an unforgettable experience!
Your cycling holiday in the Alps with OVO Network
Chalet Confidentiel – Valmorel
This superb chalet for 12 people (10 adults), with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, is located in the heart of nature and has been awarded the OVO Network “Cycling Friendly” label, a guarantee of the best facilities and equipment for your group of cyclists.
What’s more, its location in Doucy, near Valmorel, gives you easy access to several stages of the Tour de France 2025.
Chalet Mevi – Crest-Voland
Head to Chalet Mevi in Crest-Voland for a prime spot as the riders pass through on stage 19 of the Tour. This property will allow your group of up to 13 holidaymakers (11 adults) to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of this legendary event, without even needing to take your car!
What’s more, the chalet has all the equipment cyclists could need, as guaranteed by its OVO Network “Cycling Friendly” label.
Your stay in the Alps with OVO Network…
The Tour de France is more than just a cycling race – it’s an experience that brings people together in celebration of sport, culture, and nature. Whether you’re cheering on the riders from the roadside or cycling the iconic routes yourself, the Alps offer something unforgettable for everyone. Plan your perfect stay with OVO Network and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t wait – book your Alpine adventure now!
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