The 2020 Tour de France will be the 107th edition of race, with a Grand Depart in Nice. Note the 2020 dates have been revised in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 Tour de France will now run August 29 to September 20.
- Finding accommodation
- Finding bike hire
- Tour de France road closure information
- Advice for watching the TDF in person
- Advice for watching the TDF in Paris
- Beginner's guide to the Tour de France
- Riding Etape du Tour
- Official Tour de France Race Guide for 2020
The full route of the 2020 Tour de France was announced on October 15, 2019. It has since been revised, with the dates changed in reponse to the coronavirus pandemic.
The overview of the route and the new dates are shown below.
Official map with revised dates
The Grand Depart will see two stages based around Nice, capital of the Provence-Cote d'Azur region on the Mediterranean coast. The terrain around Nice is incredibly varied – expect some stiff climbs, flat sections and scenic coastal roads.
Specific info on each stage and more detailed maps are usually published each May in the official race program. We'll post links to it when it's released. We have this page for Tour de France road closure information, which we also update as information comes to hand (usually not from around May onwards).
Stage 1: Saturday, August 29, Nice Moyen Pays to Nice, 156km
The first stage is interesting because unlike most sprint stages (other than Paris), it offers more than one chance to see the riders whiz by. Here, riders will do two loops of the southern section through the city. This is not a flat stage by any means, but it should still see a sprinter take the first yellow jersey.
Stage 2: Sunday, August 30, Nice Haut Pays to Nice, 187km
If a sprinter does take the yellow jersey on the first stage, then it may not be on his shoulders for very long. The second stage contains three cols, two of which are above 1500m,with a total of over 4000m of climbing. Again, this is a showcase stage for Nice and will allow spectators to easily catch a second stage without moving very far.
Stage 3: Monday, August 31, Nice to Sisteron, 198km
Goodbye Nice, hello Sisteron, which gets a stage finish a well as a stage start this year. This is a flat stage with a bit of rolling terrain thrown in for good measure. Expect a sprint finish.
Stage 4: Tuesday, September 1, Sisteron to Orcières-Merlette, 157km
An early summit finish in Orcières-Merlette, a ski resort at the end of a 7.1km climb (6.7%). Orcières-Merlette will enjoy its day in the sun – it's been more than 30 years since the Tour visited these slopes.
Stage 5: Wednesday, September 2, Gap to Privas, 183km
The gap is no stranger to the TDF – expect a strong showing here from the breakaway riders, followed by a sprint finish.
Stage 6: Thursday, September 3, Le Teil to Mont Aigoual, 191km
From the Rhone River at Le Teil and into the Ardèche, stage 6 will be another feast for the TV cameras. The last 26 kilometres run mostly uphill, providing plenty of great spectating opportunities on smaller climbs: the Col des Mourèzes (6km at 4.8% average gradient), the 11.7km Col de la Lusette (7.3%) and, finally, the Mont Aigoual 8.3km at 4%).
Stage 7: Friday, September 4, Millau to Lavaur, 168km
The stunning Millau viaduct makes a TDF comeback, with the start set against its incredible backdrop. Stage 7 will be a preclude to the Pyrenees, the lumpy Aveyron and Tarn valleys providing some hilly – and potentially windy – riding.
Stage 8: Saturday, September 5, Cazeras to Loudenvielle, 140km
Stage 9: Sunday, September 6, Pau to Laruns, 154km
Rest day: Monday, September 7, La Charente-Maritime
The Charente-Maritime department will host two stages plus a rest day, making this an ideal place to grab some rest and relaxation (and to indulge in the region's famous oysters and coastal resorts). This section of the Tour is being marketed locally as 'The Maritime Escape'.
Stage 10: Tuesday, September 8, Île-de-Oléron to Île-de-Ré, 170km
Here is the informaton poster available locally at the moment for stages 10 and 11.
(Note I am awaiting new artwork with the revised dates).
Stage 11: Wednesday, September 9, Châtelaillon-Plage to Poitiers, 167km
The Tour heads inland through the marshlands of the old Poitou-Charentes region (now absorbed into the larger Nouvelle-Aquitaine). This should be another stage for the sprinters in Poitiers – the last 1.5km should be familiar to Arnaud Démare, who won the French title here in 2014.
Stage 12: Thursday, September 10, Chauvigny to Sarran Correze, 218km
This one will be targeted by the breakaway riders – the hilly course across rolling countryside is also the longest stage of the 2020 Tour. The Vienne valley is picturesque and unspoilt - it will be a real treat for the TV cameras.
Stage 13: Friday, September 11, Châtel-Guyon to Puy Mary Cantal, 191km
Stage 14: Saturday, September 12, Clermont Ferrand to Lyon, 197km
Stage 14 leaves Clermont-Ferrand and goes via the Monts du Forez and Col du Béal (at the start end) and comes in via the Côte de la Duchère (about 15km from Lyon). Closer to Lyon it includes the Montée de l’Observance and the Côte de la Croix-Rousse (5km from Lyon). These late cols would be good places to be if you are staying at the Lyon end. It finishes in the Lyon city centre.
Stage 15: Sunday, September 13, Lyon to Grand Colombier, 175km
Stage 15 has a focus on the Jura Mountains. It's a 175-km stage that starts in Lyon and finishes on the Grand Colombier after already climbing the same mountain twice earlier in the stage from different sides: via the Montée de la Selle de Fromentel, via the Col de la Biche and then finally up from Culoz. They will deserve a rest day after that.
Expected route:
Rest day: Monday, September 14, Isère
Stage 16: Tuesday, September 15, La Tour de Pin to Villard de Lans, 164km
Stage 17: Wednesday, September 16, Grenoble to Col de la Loze (Méribel), 168km
Stage 17 ends on Col de la Loze, above Méribel. It will be another epic mountain-top finish with a 22.5km climb rounding off the day (including several sections topping 20% gradient). En route, riders will cross the Col de la Madeleine – no easy warmup ride, coming in at an average of 8.4% over 17.1 kilometres.
Stage 18: Thursday, September 17, Méribel to La Roche-sur-Foron, 168km
Stage 19: Friday, September 18, Bourg en Bresse to Champagnole, 160km
Stage 19 looks set to be a late sprinters' stage from the Jura's foothills to Champagnole and the river Ain.
Stage 20: Saturday, September 19, Lure to Les Planches des Belles Filles, 36km
Stage 21: Sunday, September 20, Mantes Les Jolie to Paris Champs Élysées, 122km
Bike hire for watching the Tour de France
A reminder that if you need bike hire during the Tour de France you should book early. It ALWAYS sells out and it can be very hard to find quality carbon road bikes closer to the time. More info here.
2020 Tour de France Race Guide
This collates all stage maps and race times into one booklet. It's not released until a few months before the tour – we will post info on this page when it becomes available.
