The annual men’s bicycle race is back for its 113th edition in 2026. July 4 – 26, the peloton will pedal through the French countryside, before crossing the finish line in Paris. Here’s what to know about this year’s competition and where to watch the Tour de France in Paris.
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The 2026 edition of the Tour de France gets underway Saturday, July 4 with riders setting off from Barcelona, in the north of Spain. After biking across the border and through the Pyrénees, the racers make their way to Bordeaux before heading northwest, rolling through another 20+ cities in France before reaching the finish line in Paris on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées on Sunday, July 26.
Click here to see the map of the route on the official Tour de France website.
Although only the final stage of the competition takes place in Paris, you can still follow along with all 21 stages from the French capital.
Here are our suggestions for where and how to watch the race in Paris.
Follow from a Café or Pub
During what is undoubtedly the international cycling event of the year, many bars in Paris show all stages of the race, including a few classic Parisian cafés. We’ve double-checked for you and know that the friendly La Taverne de l’Olympia near Opéra and Le Viaduc Café under the arches in the 12th Arrondissement will both be happy to put on the Tour de France for you if you ask.
If you’re after more of a sports bar atmosphere, though, your best bet is to head to an Australian or English pub in Paris.
Watch some cycling on the Seine at the Café Oz Rooftop near the Gare d’Austerlitz, sit at the counter of the cozy Cross of Saint George to talk cycling with an English-speaking local, or head to the small but super-friendly fine spirits pub Wos Bar in the Latin Quarter to keep track of the peloton.
A few of our favorite cafés and bars in Paris showing the Tour de France:
- La Taverne de l’Olympia, 25 Rue de Caumartin, 75009 Paris
- Le Viaduc Café, 43 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris
- Café Oz Rooftop, 34 Quai d’Austerlitz, 75013 Paris
- Hall’s Beer Tavern, 68 Rue Saint-Denis, 75001 Paris
- Wos Bar, 184 Rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris
- Cross of Saint George, 35 Rue Saint-Georges, 75009 Paris
Cheer on the Cyclists During the Final Stage
The 21st and final stage of the 2026 Tour de France is in Paris on Sunday, July 26. The first cyclists should arrive in the French capital at approximately 5:30pm, following along the Left Bank of the Seine, passing the Eiffel Tower, and then crossing the Seine before arriving at the Louvre at around 5:45pm.
The riders will then make five laps of the final circuit, going up the Rue Rivoli, through the Place de la Concorde, onto the Champs-Elysées, around the Arc de Triomphe, back down, and then around the Jardin des Tuileries before making a quick journey through the neighborhood of Montmartre.
Come early and get a spot on the Rue Rivoli across from the Jardin des Tuileries — there are fewer crowds than on the Champs-Elysées, you’ll be closer to the action, and you’ll get to see the cyclists pass by several times!
Meet Them at the Finish Line
As every year since 1975 (except for the 2024 edition), the finish line of the 2026 Tour de France is once again on the Champs-Elysées.
The winner is expected to cross the finish line at roughly 7:30pm.
The sidewalks of the world-famous avenue can get very crowded during the event, and the barriers are often quite far from the actual athletes, so you may want to head to the Rue Rivoli instead if you don’t mind missing the actual end of the race.
Right after the race, however, the Champs-Elysées tends to empty out quickly, so you can generally get a good spot if you’d like to stick around and watch the award ceremony.
Closures During the Tour de France
The Champs-Élysées will be closed most of the day on July 26 for the race, and metro stations around the city may also be temporarily closed. Be sure to check the official Paris metro app to learn which lines and stops will be affected.
Go on Your Own Bike Tour of Paris
Why not get in on the action yourself while you’re in the City of Light? Paris is easy to bike around — with the exception of hilly Montmartre — and there are tons of great bicycle tours to help you see the sights in a fun and fast way.
Editor’s note: Article originally published July 8, 2019. Last updated June 30, 2026.
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