2027 Tour de France: A Historic Cross-Border Start for the Grand Départ
The 2027 Tour de France will start in the United Kingdom. The Grande Boucle will return across the Channel thirteen years after its last visit, with a Grand Départ that will pass through three different British nations: Scotland, England, and Wales. The choice of Scotland is particularly significant, as the Tour has never before ventured there. The race will begin on Friday, July 2, 2027, in Edinburgh, then move to northwestern England and eastern Wales before heading to France.
The battle for the yellow jersey could be heavily influenced by the time trials. In fact, there will be two time trials (a 38-kilometer team time trial and a 33-kilometer individual time trial) in an edition that seems to favor the specialists. This aspect could favor Remco Evenepoel in his challenge against the dominant forces of the major stage races—and in particular against Tadej Pogacar, who remains the group’s main contender.
As for the high mountains, the first mountain finish is scheduled on the Grand Colombier at the end of the ninth stage. In the second week, it will be Les Saisies’ turn, while the final part of the race will concentrate the greatest difficulties in the Pyrenees. The highly anticipated 18th stage is shaping up to be the queen stage of the 2027 edition: the Col du Soulor, Tourmalet, Hourquette d’Ancizan, and the grueling Col du Portet—all on the same day—could prove decisive for the general classification.
Climbers will, however, have another opportunity on the following stage, with the Col de Marie-Blanque, before the traditional final stage to Paris, for which the organizers have confirmed the spectacular climb up Montmartre, a new addition that in recent years has helped make the finale of the Grande Boucle unpredictable.
Tour de France 2027, the list of stages
Stage 1 – Friday, July 2: Edinburgh – Carlisle (184 km)
Stage 2 – Saturday, July 3: Keswick – Liverpool (233 km)
Stage 3 – Sunday, July 4: Welshpool – Cardiff (233 km)
First rest day – Monday, July 5
Stage 4 – Tuesday, July 6: Cherbourg – Cherbourg (171 km)
Stage 5 – Wednesday, July 7: Pontorson – Plumelec (178 km)
Stage 6 – Thursday, July 8: Vannes – Angers (193 km)
Stage 7 – Friday, July 9: Blois – Chambord (team time trial, 38 km)
Stage 8 – Saturday, July 10: Bourges – Le Creusot (224 km)
Stage 9 – Sunday, July 11: Villars-les-Dombes – Grand Colombier (162 km)
Second rest day – Monday, July 12
Stage 10 – Tuesday, July 13: Annecy – Sallanches (171 km)
Stage 11 – Wednesday, July 14: Cluses – Les Saisies (150 km)
Stage 12 – Thursday, July 15: Chambéry – Valence (162 km)
Stage 13 – Friday, July 16: Aubenas – Montpellier (164 km)
Stage 14 – Saturday, July 17: Montpellier – Mende (199 km)
Stage 15 – Sunday, July 18: Rodez – Albi (169 km)
Third rest day – Monday, July 19
Stage 16 – Tuesday, July 20: Toulouse – Toulouse (individual time trial, 33 km)
Stage 17 – Wednesday, July 21: Muret – Pau (186 km)
Stage 18 – Thursday, July 22: Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan, Col du Portet (174 km)
Stage 19 – Friday, July 23: Hasparren – Laruns (160 km)
Stage 20 – Saturday, July 24: Maubourguet – Libourne (198 km)
Stage 21 – Sunday, July 25: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris, Champs-Élysées (116 km)
