The Route 2027: Nice to Paris
Fri 25th June - Mon 19th July
Stage by stage descriptions
Year of Stage: 2020
What a way to start a Tour! Three loops around Nice with enjoyable (rather than painful) climbing and jaw-dropping views for at least 80% of the 156 kilometres. The first two identical loops take us up shallow gradients, past olive groves and fig trees, to the fortified village of Aspremont, all the while with a back-drop of the Mediterranean sea. From there we descend quickly to the west of town, and fly back into the city, joining an excellent bike path to wave at the Promenade des Anglais before heading off again for another identically delightful loop. On the third loop we’ll venture a little further, with an eight-kilometre climb up to Levens, before descending, on familiar roads, back to our hotel.
Lite: Missing the second loop removes 50km and just over 500m of climbing, making this stage 106km with a very manageable 1052m of climbing.
Why we chose it: Simply put, these are the best stages we never rode. The 2020 Grand Depart was set to be our biggest yet and the first two stages were the reason why. Sunshine, climbing, views, the Mediterranean, even the Loop nature makes it easy for those who’d like to “go lite”. It’s an unconventional Tour start but one for the ages and we cannot wait to ride it, albeit 7 years late!
Le Loop Logistics
Start:Nice hotel
Finish: Nice hotel
Year of Stage: 2020
It’s very unusual to have a mountain stage on day 2 and especially one with this much climbing, but in 2020 the beautiful scenery surrounding Nice attracted the Tour into the hills much sooner than usual. This really tough stage starts with the 16km Col de la Colmiane which, with its average gradient of 6.3%, is one to take gently so that we’re ready for what follows. Then, whilst we still have the energy we tackle the slightly steeper Col de Turini (15km @ 7.4%) whose photogenic switchbacks and magnificent views make it a highlight of the stage. It will feel like a long haul but it’s a gorgeous climb, and especially so approaching from this northern side.
And then, after the triumph of reaching our highest point today, we continue south back towards Nice and head out to the east of town for a couple of short-but-punchy extra loops to marvel at the sparkling Med. We go over the Col d’Éze and the Col des Quatre Chemins where photo stops will be obligatory; this stretch of road really is incredible with views up to the fortified ruins of Eze and out over the most dazzling stretch of the Mediterranean. And then, finally our tired legs drag us back along the Promenade des Anglais and back to our hotel.
Lite: A direct route from our hotel to the bottom of the Col de Turini cuts out the Col de la Colmiane and with it, nearly 1500m of climbing. You still get the fun of the Col d’Eze and the Med views but the day becomes a more palatable 141km with 2,548m of ascent
Why we chose it: When we started talking about the Tour of Tours, Nice was the only possible Grand Depart. The combination of one relatively easy and one tough mountain stage, both from the same hotel, is extremely appealing and these views are something else.
Start:Nice hotel
Finish: Nice hotel
Year of Stage: 2026 (Tour de Femmes – in reverse!)
This beautiful stage takes us from Nice’s beachfront into the heart of the Alps, reversing the route that the women’s peloton takes in 2026. Leaving behind the sparkling Mediterranean, the road climbs gently through the neighbourhood of Sainte-Antoine-Ginestière, lined with the fragrant shrubs that give this area its name. From here we follow the stately river Var north towards the mountains, with a brief detour up the 1.4km Côte de Colomars – just high enough to give us a panorama view through the pine trees.
There are no categorized climbs for the next three hours, but we gain height steadily as we work our way upstream and the landscape tightens around us – for much of today’s ride we’re overlooked by towering limestone cliffs, dotted with Aleppo pines and fig trees, and perhaps scaled by the occasional rock climber. The uphill begins in earnest just before the 100km mark, when we begin our ascent of the Col de Toutes Aures: a steady plod of 6.4km at 3.1%, along a balcony road that offers increasingly spectacular views as it carves its way through the landscape.
The gorgeous Lac de Castillion awaits us at the end of the descent, and we emerge briefly from the gorge to skirt its serene turquoise waters, before rolling through the pretty village of Sainte-André-les-Alpes and heading up the Col des Robines – a mere 2.6km at 4.6%. Over the next hour or so the valleys broaden, and we conclude our ride with a gentle roll past the fields and orchards of the Durance valley, towards the magnificent serrated rocks that overlook Sisteron.
Why we chose it: It was always a goal to include a Femmes stage in our Tour of Tours and when we saw this stunning Provencal stage listed for 2026, it seemed the obvious way to leave Nice. Plus, this is a really fun way to include something from 2026 without doing the same stage two years in a row.
Start: Nice hotel
Finish: Sisteron hotel
Year of Stage: 2016
A technical Time Trial stage in a stunning setting: a climb up from the Rhone valley onto a plateau section followed by a tricky descent down into one of the many gorges that define the character of the Ardeche region. We remember this one as one of the loveliest days out; hard enough to feel like we did something sporty but gentle enough to let us recover. A perfect interlude between the Grand Depart and what follows!
Why we chose it: At some point in the 2010s, the Tour organisers/designers ramped up their efforts to inject excitement and variety, with unconventional stages becoming more of a feature. This stage is anything but a typical TT course but that’s why it stuck in our memories. A pleasure to repeat and a gorgeous cycling day out.
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Transfer to Bourg St Andeol
Finish: Transfer to Sorgues hotel
Year of Stage: 2021
There’ll only be one mountain on most people’s minds today, but this is a long stage and we shouldn’t forget that first we have to navigate a relatively bumpy parcours that gets us there. This part of the world is blissful in July, and despite the heat and the hills you’ll appreciate the sounds and scents of the Provençale summer – the whirring crickets, the orchards and vineyards, and the tiny stone villages, with their tiled rooftops and overflowing gardens. Before we get to our first ascent of Ventoux we have to get over the Col de la Liguière, around 10km of fairly steep ramps, taking us from the fertile lowlands around Apt to a higher landscape of parched soil and pine needles. Then, once we arrive in lavender-scented Sault, we begin our first ascent of the Géant de Provence, spending at least an hour climbing through shaded pine forests, before we reach the wind-blasted scree slopes for which this mountain is famous. Once we make the summit we’ll whip down to Malaucène, before turning back south, and heading over to Bédoin to tackle Ventoux’s most famous climb. This is likely to be the hardest day of the Tour for many, but the elation of summiting this legendary climb always makes up for the hardship of the ascent, and the final triumphant descent back to Malaucéne will have you singing at the top of your voice.
Lite option: the Tour may pass over Ventoux twice but there’s no reason that you must; if you’d prefer to stop in Malaucene after the first summit, you’re welcome to do so; this stage then becomes 143km with 2,927m of ascent.
Why we chose it: There were plenty of tempting Ventoux stages to choose from but this stood out not only for the obvious fun of two different ascents but also because it’s another Tour highlight we never got to ride. Many Le Loopers were looking forward to this epic stage in 2021 – now’s our chance!
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Sorgues hotel
Finish: Transfer toSt Paul 3 Chateauxhotel
Year of Stage: 2021
Expect a summer holiday feeling for the first few miles of today’s stage, as we wend our way west, leaving Provence through fields of lavender and sunflowers and gradually moving into the winding roads of the Cevennes. This is a region less talked about in England with Provence getting much more air time, but it is a cyclists’ paradise with quiet roads, epic scenery, great tarmac and smiles on everyone’s faces.
The afternoon will be more demanding as the route takes us into the foothills of the Massif Central and through the craggy gorges of the Ardèche river. Nearly half of the day’s climbing happens in the third quarter of the stage and after yesterday’s efforts, that’s going to feel something of a struggle, albeit one with maximum scenic reward…
There’s a nice reward though; a gorgeous 20km descent that takes us down into Mende where all that stands between you and a beer is the final leg-busting climb up to the aerodrôme above Mende. Be warned – it’s brutal (but you can cut straight to the hotel if a kilometre at 11% and another at 13% strikes you as one climb too many, especially as there’s another chance to give it a go tomorrow morning!).
Why we chose it: We had a strong wish to visit the most southern section of the Massif Central for the feeling of remoteness and beautiful, quiet roads. There were a few ways to pass through and several stages competing for the role but this particular stage won due to being a perfect showcase of the region and having the Mende Jalabert (aerodrome) climb; a memorable feature which first caused our riders consternation back in 2010 and makes a “fun” bonus.
In years past this type of stage (over 3,000m of climbing but not technically a mountain stage) have seemed extra tough because they’re usually accompanied by morning or evening transfers, making the day longer and the sleep deprivation worse. Here, we’ve linked 3 stages through the middle of France with decreasing difficulty and no transfers and in doing so, we hope that the cycling will be both more manageable and more enjoyable.
Lite option: the Tour may pass over Ventoux twice but there’s no reason that you must; If you’d prefer to stop in Malaucene after the first summit, you’re welcome to do so; this stage then becomes 143km with 2927m of ascent.
Year of Stage: 2005 (in reverse)
Starting off high above Mende, today’s ride sets off with an optional climb back up to the Côte de la Croix Neuve (the brutal finish of yesterday’s stage). Then following the descent into Mende (or straight from the hotel), we climb straight away, up through the quiet granite village of Chabrits, towards the vast plateau where we spend the next couple of hours of our ride. There are few flat sections here, but mostly the road undulates, without significant elevation changes, giving us a chance to enjoy the sweeping green pastures, huge skies, and handsome brown cows for which this area is known.
The world changes rapidly around us as we soar down the 10km descent that follows, a ribbon of perfect tarmac leading us back into the shelter of the valley where we meet the Tarn at the picturesque village of Boyne. We stay with the river for an hour or so, following a mostly-flat road that winds along the side of the valley, flanked by wooded hills and shining limestone cliffs. And as we begin to climb out of Millau, we’re treated to one of France’s great wonders: the Millau Viaduct. This ethereal span is the tallest bridge in the world – and arguably it’s as much a work of art as it is a feat of engineering. The original version of this stage (which we’re riding in reverse) would have passed under the bridge just six months after it first opened to traffic, in December 2004.
Following a brief descent, our route continues to roll along the remote Cernon valley, and once we’ve passed the honey-coloured buildings of Saint-Roman-de-Cernon, we’re on the same gorgeous road all the way to Albi. The Côte de la Bessède is one of our longest climbs today: a very manageable 9km at 3% with views out over the hilltops to the north. And then comes our hardest ascent: an 8km stretch of road, with a gradient of around 5.5%, that wriggles its way up this steep-sided valley, through green forests where humans have lived since Neolithic times – we may spot some of their menhirs alongside the road.
There are a couple of short climbs during the final approach to Albi, but overall, we lose over 700m in under 40km, so you can spin your legs, enjoy the sense of the landscape opening out around you, and think about dinner!
Why we chose it: Firstly, the big rivers of SW France create some stunning landscapes – with remote gorges and high plateaux – that we didn’t want to miss. The roads that wind through and link these geological features are stunning with this stage taking us out of the Massif Central and through the Aveyron and Tarn regions (both named after their rivers). Secondly, Albi is the most gorgeous of stage towns; not too big, not too little, a hotel in the centre and dinner on the main square soaking up the sunny evening atmosphere. Although we had to go back to 2005 to find it, the scenery we pass through today (the stage is reversed from 2005, making it a net descent rather that a net ascent), makes this one of the most beautiful transition stages we could have hoped for.
Year of Stage: 2019
A gentle day today, which will feel relatively short as the kilometres speed by. It’s a chance to take our time and savour the southern sun, since the Pyrenees are just over the horizon.
Following the emerald-green Tarn out of Albi, we’ll almost immediately pass through Castelnau-de-Lévis, with its towering medieval castle, and shortly afterwards the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel will loom above us, its honey-coloured buildings stacked vertiginously on a hillside high above the road. Shortly afterwards we encounter our first climb of the day – an eminently manageable 3km at 4.2% – on quiet winding roads.
A swooping 7km descent takes us briefly into the gorge of the river Aveyron, overlooked by ancient fortifications that seem to have grown out of the rocks themselves, before we turn away from the river and embark on a truly lovely section of road, which undulates gently across the countryside, sheltered by avenues of plane trees.
Remember to glance back as we cross the Tarn again when we reach Gaillac: the bridge is overlooked by the impressive Abbaye Saint Michel; a centre of wine production for many centuries and now a museum. The day continues to bump along, never horribly steep but with plenty of sections that will need some effort. Crossing the tree-lined Agout river in Lavaur, whose stylish red-brick buildings we can admire as we pass, is the signal that our reward for these efforts is about to come… it’s a great, fast run into Toulouse to complete a stage that should fulfil all your South-of-France dreams; of wheeling past fields of sunflowers, admiring ancient fortified villages and wondering if the wine on tonight’s menu will be from one of the vineyards we’ve ridden through.
Why we chose it: The Le Loop staff have a soft spot for this stage because we rode it together (over 2.5 days!) on a staff weekend in 2019, just before the Tour passed through. And the same reasons we chose it for our staff weekend are the same reasons it has its place in the Tour of Tours; roads quiet enough to chat, elevation gentle enough to make chat possible (!), a chance to swing by Albi and a true feeling of rural France. Imagine the perfect long weekend training ride: This is it!
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Albi hotel
Finish: Toulouse hotel
Year of Stage: 2022
This stage packs an impressive 3,300m+ of climbing into a relatively short ride, with four big-name climbs adding even more value …
After a gentle run-in from Saint-Gaudens, during which we gradually gain height along the Garonne Valley with its pretty stone-built villages, we start to feel the mountains close in around us as we follow the River Neste to Arreau. From here it’s a right turn up the Col d’Aspin, a well-loved Pyrenean giant with sumptuous views from its windswept summit. There’s only a brief descent before the climbing starts again, this time up the Hourquette d’Ancizan – another stunner. After a longer descent down to Saint-Lary (no need to linger in this lovely little town; we’ll be back on Wednesday), we’ll tuck into our steepest climb of the day, up the vertiginous Col de Val Louron-Azet, from the top of which we’ll see our final destination across the valley: the steep ramp of the airstrip at Peyragudes. It’s another long haul to get up there (this climb was a 2025 TT) but we have the descent of the tightly packed hairpins of Val Louron-Azet to catch our breath. And once we’re up at our finish point, we’ll be able to gaze back towards all the other cols we’ve crossed that day, before a bonus descent to Luchon for a well-deserved dinner and bed.
Why we chose it: The Tour often excels in Pyrenees approach stages and we wanted to include a classic of the genre which would get us a nice quick warm up and a fine morning view of the mountain chain to come (“oh gosh, they’re right there”). Finding a stage that started with this feeling but didn’t dally too much before offering some of the climbs we came for was a must. So here it is: 2022’s gem of a meet-the-Pyrenees stage!
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Transfer to St Gaudens
Finish: Luchon hotel (first of 3 nights in same hotel)
A chance for a lie-in and some tour admin: eat, launderette, clean and tinker with bike, eat, rest and eat! In the words of lead cyclist Ben – “you’re always eating for tomorrow!”
Le Loop Logistics
Luchon hotel
Year of Stage: 2012
This stage hides some painful efforts in its deceptively short distance. The almost circular route (circular for us because we descend back to our hotel in Luchon at the end) begins with the Col de Menté. It’s a climb steeped in Tour history (21 appearances since the ‘60s), which sets the mood of the day because this is a stage of classics.
A bumpy 60km leads us down from the Menté summit to the Port de Balès which has featured in 6 Tours in the last 20 years: it’s a stunning climb whose brutality is matched by its beauty. To give an idea of how remote and atmospheric it’ll feel as we climb, the road is only open for 5 months a year and until the 1980s there was no road at all. That ‘80s surface wasn’t suitable for anything other than 4x4s and it was the Tour de France itself which instigated paving the road properly in 2006 in order to provide new challenges for its riders.
Our last challenge today is the uphill finish at Peyragudes which is an even more recent addition to the Tour (first appearance on this stage in 2012 and making up for lost time with 5 inclusions since then). It’s a tough finish psychologically because after reaching the Col de Peyresourde, you have to go down to go up (200m down; 240 up) so reaching the end of this stage will be a true landmark of achievement – and you will be treated like the hero you are on your return to Luchon!
Lite: By riding direct from Luchon to Loures-Barousse, you miss the col de Menté and the smaller col des Ares. Effectively this cuts out the first half of the day, leaving you with many more hours to tackle 93km (109km if you include the descent back to our hotel) and 2,409m ascent.
Why we chose it: It really did tick all the boxes; for our second mountains stage we wanted short (in kilometres), tough (in elevation), classic (in feel) and the chance to have a third night in our Luchon hotel (3 nights in one place is a rare and ultimate luxury).
Start: Luchon hotel
Finish: Luchon hotel
Year of Stage: 2018
The unusually short parcours of this stage struck fear into the hearts of the 2018 pro peloton (who had to cover the entire stage at a near-sprint) but we’re able to take this stage at a comfortable pace – a necessary tactic given what’s involved…
It’s a treat in many ways – a pretty perfect cycling day. It’s also the shortest full stage in 35 years at 65km, and more than half of that (38km) will be uphill! The first 46km take us up over the Peyresourde, down through the delightful thermal spa town of Loudenvielle, up the Col de Val Louron-Azet and down into St Lary; all of these being roads we’ve ridden in the other direction over the last couple of days and all with spectacular views.
However, once we get to St Lary (one of our all-time favourite Tour towns), it’s very much new climbing territory and an opportunity to tackle the Pyrenees’ highest ever summit finish, a glorious (!) 17km, av 8.3% climb.
As we pass by our hotel, we look up and see the beginning of the mighty Col de Portet climb winding up out of town to the west (you can’t see to the top until the very last couple of kilometres). The Col de Portet was a brand-new climb when it featured first on this stage in 2018, having been especially paved for the race (previously a dirt track), and was described by Christian Prudhomme at the time as having “all the assets to become a new Tourmalet”. It will feel long (it is long!) but by the time you make it to 2,215m above sea level, with views north and south, you’ll be in the heart of the Pyrenees and will have made it to the Tour of Tours’ second highest point of the Tour (with only the Galibier being higher) and our “Souvenir Henri Desgrange”.
Lite: while the day is short in kilometres, it racks up a lot of vertical metres so for anyone who’d like a slightly lesser challenge, you can choose either to stop at the hotel in St Lary or start the climb, happy in the knowledge that you can turn around and descend back to the hotel if or when you’ve had enough. Without the Col de Portet, this stage is 47km and 1,940m of elevation
Why we chose it: A few reasons; firstly, the distance – need we say more. Secondly, the Col de Portet for its height, views and proximity to St Lary. Third, St Lary! It’s one of our all-time favourite towns (and hotels!) and we couldn’t leave it out. And lastly, have you ever cycled a stunning route and wondered what it would look like if you could see the views behind you and descend the roads you just climbed (and climb the descents)? We ponder this all the time on Le Loop and thought it would be nice to include a stage (for Grand Loopers who have also ridden stage 9) which offered the answers.
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Luchon hotel
Finish: St Lary hotel
Year of Stage: 1974
Today’s ride is an homage to the 1974 Tour de France, which visited Plymouth for Stage 2, and in which Yorkshireman Barry Hoban won the seventh of his eight stages – a record eventually surpassed by Mark Cavendish, 35 years later in 2009. But the first rider to the Col du Tourmalet was Frenchman Jean-Pierre Danguillaume, closely followed by eternal second Raymond Poulidor.
We’ll be taking the day at a more sedate pace, setting out from scenic Saint-Lary-Soulan for a short roll down the Neste valley, before swinging left and heading up the beautiful Col d’Aspin, a reliable Tour favourite. The views get increasingly dreamy as we ascend its 12km of switchbacks (the gradient is fairly steady, and averages 6.5%), and then we plunge down the other side towards Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, site of one of the Tour’s most enduring legends; Eugène Christophe famously repaired his fork here, at a local blacksmith’s shop, after crashing on the Tourmalet in 1913.
But we’re not going up there just yet. First, we get to enjoy a lovely leisurely roll down the valley, alongside the glittering Adour River. This section may look flat, but in reality, we’ll be losing elevation, meaning that it should feel relatively easy, giving us a chance to watch the scenery change as the landscape opens out, the sky gets bigger, and we move away from the high mountains. After passing through the elegant spa town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre, we encounter a 2km climb (around 4.5%) as we cross the watershed and roll through the foothills, passing verdant farmland and small stone villages as we go.
Skirting the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, we then begin a steady climb up the valley and back into the mountains. This time the false flat isn’t in our favour, and there’s a chance this section may feel harder than it looks, especially in the heat of the afternoon. Once we reach Luz-Saint-Saveur, all that remains is the climb we’ve all been waiting for: 19km at 7.4%, and one of the most iconic cols in Tour history – the mighty Tourmalet.
Lite: A lift to the top of the Aspin takes off 23km and 775m of climbing, reducing the stage to just under 100km and only 2,344m of elevation.
Why we chose it: Obviously we were going to include the Tourmalet – so the question was just how and when. With this stage, we skip the more standard long haul from Tarbes or Pau and instead have the treat of already being in the mountains. Another very attractive feature is the unusually long (75km) stretch of descent and flat that links the two big climbs of the day; a chance to get your breath back and enjoy the scenery in groups before the big Pyrenean finale-climb. We also chose this as a sibling to stage 19 (see below!)
Le Loop Logistics
Start: St Lary hotel
Finish:Dinner on Tourmalet, followed by transfer to Toulouse hotel
Year of Stage: 1939
We’re actually riding three stages for the price of one today, as back in the 1930s (and in fact up until 1991) it was not uncommon for riders to race a split stage, with two – or sometimes more – races in a single day. It’s unclear how popular this would have been in 1939, but we hope this route will be a hit in 2027, as it showcases what has come to be recognized as classic Tour de France scenery. Expect to see vineyards, fields of sunflowers, and long avenues of plane trees.
Starting with part A, we leave Toulouse on low-lying roads, following close to the Canal du Midi, whizzing through vineyards and past pale stone villages with shuttered windows. This is a region of open rolling countryside and huge skies, although at times we may glimpse the distant Pyrenees on the horizon. The landscape opens out into acre upon acre of vineyards as we skirt the spectacular walled citadel of Carcassonne, and continue along the Aude valley towards Narbonne.
This next section (part B) is part of the ancient Via Heraklea, along which humans have travelled between the Alps and the Atlantic for thousands of years, and some of the buildings we pass date back to Roman times, or even earlier. This should be a relatively swift section; a time trial in 1939 and whilst you’re welcome to time yourself today, it’s also a great chance to chill, enjoy the flat, the chat, and the butter-smooth French tarmac.
Once through Beziers, we’re back into 1939 “normal” racing (part C) and as we near the Mediterranean coast we can taste the salt in the air. Olive groves and sun-drenched stone villas accompany us as we roll exhaustedly into our hotel on the outskirts of Montpellier, looking forward to dinner (as opposed to the cigarettes, brandy, wine and veal that would have greeted the riders on this stage back in 1939!).
Lite: We expect everyone to make it to Narbonne (part A) but after that you have the choice; hop in the bus here, or in Beziers after part B, or complete part C too and roll all the way to Montpellier.
Why we chose it: If you didn’t take a first look at this stage and smile, you didn’t look properly! When else will you have the chance to cycle one of those ridiculous stages-of-old, complete with mid stage time trial. It’s as bonkers as it is challenging and lends a sense of incredulous nostalgia to the overall route. Chapeau to anyone who makes it through A, B & C!
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Toulouse hotel
Finish: Montpellier hotel
Year of Stage: 2025
Don’t get too complacent about this so-called flat stage because we’re too close to the mountains to avoid a few lumps and bumps, though in many cases we’ll be riding between the hills rather than over them. In 2025 there was enough head-wind to drastically increase the effort output but nonetheless this is a really scenic ride that offers a lot of bang for relatively little buck.
The morning involves a fair bit more up than down but as Valence is only 60m higher in altitude than Bollene, the good news is that the latter half of the day will seem much easier on the legs.
Our morning ride takes us through the arid landscape of northern Provence, with wide views over sweeping vineyards and the occasional burst of yellow gorse. We steadily gain height (over 500m in the first 50km) as we move out of the Rhône valley and into the Baronnies Provençales. This small range of limestone mountains, perched on the edge of the Alps, is known for the wide variety of herbs that are grown and harvested here, so we can inhale the scents of thyme, rosemary and lavender as we make our way through its quiet valleys.
We briefly descend out of the hills for visits to the historic stone villages of Marsanne and Cléon-d’Andran, passing small hamlets and very few cars on the way. And then a scenic climb of around 5km takes us up the rim of the valley, and over the top via a luscious descent to the river Drôme. The rest of this stage will pass quickly as the final hour of the ride is on fast, flat roads, so our arrival in Valence is full of the joys of cycling.
Why we chose it: Plenty of alumni will remember this stage with the biggest of smiles because it was the day that Abdul (one of our 2025 charity visitors) rode with us in style and gave an incredible talk over dinner, reminding us all why we’re here and why we should be so proud of our Le Loop achievements.
We wanted to respect the tradition of including a flatter “sprinter” stage before we hit the Alps and this recent stage was a natural choice. Over the years we’ve spent a fair bit of time in this part of northern Provence, and it never disappoints – this stage had sunflowers, lavender, views, a head wind we might choose to avoid in 2027, and plenty of time for chat… lots to attract us back two years later.
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Transfer to Bollene
Finish:Valence hotel
Year of Stage: 2013/2009
Back in 2013 this stage was the ride before Paris; at the end of the Alps rather than at the beginning. It was the Etape du Tour stage that year, chosen for its value in metres-vertical per kilometre-hotizontal.
The route starts on the flat bike path by lake Annecy, a lovely chance to stretch our legs and marvel at the holiday views. We continue with a stunning climb through the Mont Revard massif, much of the top section being in the shade of pine trees which make the reveal even more impressive when we pass over the top and suddenly see the shimmering Lac Bourget below us.
Following a descent towards Aix Les Bains with breath-taking views much of the way, the route circles back north and after more than 30km of descent and flat (a chance to get our breath back), we join the Semnoz climb, which to many is the best climb in the area. It’s a delightfully shaded road that gets pretty steep (rarely below 8% in the final kms), before bringing you out by lovely café with views across lake Annecy towards the mountains that are waiting for us.
At ‘only’ 125km long, today is a unique ride packed with special features but one that won’t keep you out until dark!
Lite: Instead of the 2013 stage, you can opt instead to do the 2009 Time Trial course which is a delightful 42km with 344m of climbing; a lap of lake Annecy with a small bonus climb half way round.
Why we chose it: location, location, location! Annecy holds a special place in our hearts as several of our Le Loop staff live there and in 2025 we also had a staff weekend cycling round the lake. Coming back for a visit in 2027 was a priority – to enjoy the lake views, the relaxed atmosphere and to give the best ever lite option to those who’d prefer a slightly more holiday vibe to their day.
Le Loop Logistics
Start: Transfer to Annecy
Finish:Transfer to Geneva hotel
Year of Stage: 1990
We begin our day a stone’s throw from Geneva, in the relative flatlands surrounding Lac Leman, and roll along the Arve valley, watching the mountains appear on the horizon and then gradually close in around us. The countryside is green and calming, overlooked by the occasional limestone crag to remind us of what’s to come. At Cluses we turn right, and begin our ascent of the relentlessly steep Col de la Colombière – the longest climb of the day, at just under 20km. Leaving behind the rural fringes of Cluses, we work our way up through the forests before emerging into Alpine meadows as we pass the serene chalets of Le Reposoir. The col comes into view shortly after this, but there are still several brutal kilometres to go, with a gradient that averages just below 10%.
Look out for the mural of a young Bernard Hinault on the descent to Grand-Bornand – and then we’re straight into the Col des Aravis. This 10km climb is gentler than Colombière, but once again the gradient ramps up in the final kilometres. The wonderful scenery is ample distraction – this is a classic Alpine climb, with smooth tarmac wriggling its way through glowing green pastures, past intricate wooden chalets, with big pointy mountains on the horizon.
Following an exhilarating helter-skelter descent to Flumet, we pass through the ski towns of Praz-sur-Arly and Megève, then soar along the balcony road towards Saint-Gervais, overlooked by Mont Blanc. Our final climb up to Bettex is 7.2km at 7.7%, and steeper towards the top, but our tired legs will be fuelled by a glow of triumph, and the prospect of celebrating a day well spent with our fellow riders.
Lite: From Bonneville it’s possible to take a gentler 22km to St Jean de Sixt, missing 18km and more importantly the Col de la Colombiere. Your stage is now 100km with 2,620m of climbing
Why we chose it: While this stage pre-dates Le Loop and the Tour de Force, the climbs within it are old favourites and all of them were high on our shortlist of Alpine wishes. But it’s not all about the cycling… we had a rest day in the same hotel in St Gervais in 2023 and if you weren’t there, take it from us, there’s no more perfect place!
A perfect location, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and with the hotel’s spa on hand to ease your muscles. Rest, eat, clean, tinker.
Le Loop Logistics
St Gervais hotel
Year of Stage: 2016 (in reverse)
* Note that this is the 2016 stage – in reverse!
This is most definitely a mountain stage – five mountains to be precise – but a different sort of mountain stage with slightly gentler, shorter climbs than often feature in the Alps. This makes for a different sort of challenge with more regular recovery time but also a psychologically alarming number of mountains!
After a steep descent from our hotel back down to the valley floor, we have our first climb of the day; 500m up to the pretty ski station of Megeve. From here it’s a gentle 10km downhill to get ourselves ready for today’s biggest challenge; the col de Saisies – followed almost immediately by a last push to the Montée de Bisanne, 1,670m above sea levels and with views to match. It’s a relatively rideable climb coming from the north – 15km at an average of 6% – and as it comes early on in the stage, hopefully we’ll still have the energy to enjoy it.
From the summit of the Montée de Bisanne, we take a narrow, technical road down the quietest of the 4 descents. At this point today almost feel like a back-roads route, continuing up the col de la Forclaz Quiege which is a mere 4km at an average of just under 8% and also quiet and peaceful. We push on for the better known Forclaz (Forclaz means “narrow gap”; there are several climbs that share the name!) where, after 8km at 8.4%, we are greeted by THE best view of lake Annecy and every reason to wonder why we haven’t all moved to live here!
Our last challenge of the day, after a fast run along the SW side of Lake Annecy (the opposite side from our ride on stage 15) is to maintain momentum for the gentle 4% average of the 10km Col de Tamié. It’s a fun climb with plenty of shade and at the top all that remains is the fast run-in to our hotel in Albertville with our first views south and across to the mountains of tomorrow and Friday.
Lite: A short cut after the Montée de Bisanne descent eliminates 500m of climbing (and 31km) by missing out the Forclaz Montmin climb & lake loop. Your stage is now 115km with 2,800m of ascent.
Why we chose it: We were looking for a contrast to the feel and profiles of stages 18 and 19; a stage where the climbing wasn’t too brutal and came in more manageable chunks. Reversing this stage from 2016 not only gave us that but it’s also locationally perfect for our ride south through the Alps – and when you consider the unbeatable views, this stage was a shoo-in.
Le Loop Logistics
Start:St Gervais hotel
Finish:Albertville hotel
Year of Stage: 2012
Two of today’s four big ascents involve over 20km of uphill – and La Toussuire is only slightly less, at 18km.This stage is an absolute scorcher (just as well it’s ‘only’ 140 kms long!). It will be an epic day in 2027, just as it was back on our first public “Tour de Force” in 2012…
After the briefest of flat warm-ups along the Isère valley from Albertville, we swing right and set off up the long road leading to the Col de la Madeleine. This long ascent, during which we gain more than 1,500m, is more of a journey than just a climb – we’ll gradually rise above the villages, forests and clattering cowbells, eventually reaching a place where jagged peaks overlook treeless pastures, and the air is thin and cool.
Following a long descent into the Maurienne Valley, we next turn our attention to the double-whammy of the Col de la Croix de Fer, ridden via the Col de Glandon. It’s shorter than the Madeleine, very slightly steeper, and every bit as spectacular. The climb begins with little ceremony as we leave Saint-Avre, and grind our way up through the forests, with the ice-cold Glandon river rushing along the valley floor beneath us. After reaching the end of the valley, the road then scrambles up its southern wall via a series of tight switchbacks, where you can enjoy waving down at comrades a few minutes behind you. We then get to bag two cols for the price of one, as the summit of Croix de Fer is less than 3km away, and the gradient eases off once we’ve crossed the Glandon.
The descent from the Croix de Fer is in two halves, separated by a 6km, 6.8% not-insignificant climb of the Col du Mollard with stunning far-reaching views of the Alps on the way up and down and a chance to enjoy a quieter side of the Alps.
Then, following an enjoyably twisty descent, and to complete this incredible stage, we still have 18km of the La Toussuire ascent to tackle – it’s a pretty brutal climb (although mercifully shallower at the top than the bottom) and with everything we’ve just done in our legs, it’ll feel even tougher. There are spectacular panoramas to admire on the way though (the Aiguilles d’Arves, Fontcouverte church, blue sky and Alpine pastures) and, with La Toussuire being one of the first ski resorts (founded 1923) and thus one of the first summer cycling meccas, you’re following in the wheels of the greats.
Lite: take a short cut from La Chambre (after the Madeleine descent) to St Jean de Maurienne and along with the Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Mollard, you remove 58km and 1900m of climbing, picking up at the bottom of the La Toussuire climb.
Why we chose it: This is our Tour of Tours’ Queen stage and it needed to be a fun one! We wanted to line up some of the greatest Alpine climbs whilst keeping a manageable overall distance. We also wanted to sleep in the mountains, see the stars, consider our efforts and feel a huge sense of achievement. This stage really stood out all the way back in 2012 and emerged early on as an obvious pick for the Tour of Tours. The climbs and their stats are only half the story today because what the numbers don’t describe are the views and the experience and today both will be superlative.
Le Loop Logistics
Start:Albertville hotel
Finish:La Toussuire hotel
Year of Stage: 2011
This stage is all killer, no filler – three A-list climbs, and the rest is pretty much all downhill.
We set off from Modane and follow the river Arc along the steep-sided valley to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne: base camp for our first ascent. We’re heading downstream at this point, so the road should feel agreeably fast. At Saint-Michel we cross the river, and then watch it get smaller and smaller as the glorious hairpins of the Col du Télégraphe take us up out of the valley, at a stiff-but-steady gradient that hovers between 7% and 8%.
A short descent takes us into the pretty Alpine town of Valloire, where we begin our longest climb of the day: the mighty Galibier. Over the next 17km we gain more than a kilometre in elevation, and see the landscape change around us, gradually moving from lush green meadows to bare rock as the road winds its way across dramatic crags and scree slopes. The gradient ramps up above 8% as we pass 2,000m elevation, so we’ll be breathless with exertion as well as wonder when we finally reach the storied col, the highest point of the Tour of Tours, and gaze in admiration at the peaks stretching away on either side.
There’s plenty of time to recover on the descent that follows: almost 50km where we successively slalom through the Galibier’s southbound switchbacks, soar downhill towards the blue waters of Lac du Chambon, and then pedal gently along the pan-flat Romanche valley, re-engaging our leg muscles for what’s to come.
And at Bourg d’Oisans, we find ourselves yet again in the presence of greatness, as we ascend the 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez. This Tour titan starts with an interminable 10% ramp, and is not at any point easy, but unlike the Galibier, it does ease off to 5% in its final stretches, giving us a brief respite to enjoy our moment of victory.
Lite: There’s no obvious short-cut on today’s stage but for anyone who can’t face the full 110km, we’ll give you a lift to the top of the Telegraphe, removing 26km and 866m of climbing. Your day is now 84km with 2,705m of elevation gain.
Why we chose it: One stage; two spectacular climbs. The Galibier was reportedly Henri Desgrange’s (inventor of the Tour de France) favourite climb so we’re pretty sure he’d want it to be included here. And by putting it alongside another (the most?) renowned Tour climb, we have the perfect finale to our 2027 Alps stages – and a lovely hotel to match.
Note that this stage has a not-dissimilar profile to the sibling stage 12 (in the Pyrenees) so there’ll be a fun “compare and contrast” exercise for anyone who rides both.
Le Loop Logistics
Start:Transfer to Modane
Finish:Alpe d’Huez hotel
Year of Stage: 2024
Today’s time trial course is a wine-centric sightseeing route which will contrast delightfully with the tough slog of the mountains we’ve just ridden. It’s enough of a ride to keep your legs moving during the drive to Paris but without any significant challenge (unless you turn on strava and hope to compare with the pro stats from a few years ago!).
It starts out in the shady forests of the Côte d’Or escarpment, before emerging back into the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. These are quiet roads, winding through fields and woodland, with views out across the distant hillsides, all covered with vines and dotted with wineries that produce the famous Burgundy wines that we may choose to drink this evening!
We face only one significant climb – the Côte de Curtil-Vergey, which involves less than 2km of ascent at around 6% – and then the last 5km into posh Gevrey-Chambertin (all roads lead to wine) will be enjoyably flat and fast.
Why we chose it: A pre-Paris time trial always seems like a win. It’s a chance to regroup between the mountains and the finale and gives us enough non-cycling time to get to Paris so that the last stage is less of a scramble. Thus, our search for a stage midway between the Alps and Paris with a full-on French vibe wasn’t really a search… 2024 is recent enough that we all remember the fun and we’re delighted to have been able to choose a wine tour by bike to lead us in to our Paris party!
Le Loop Logistics
Start:Transfer to Nuits-Saint-Georges
Finish:Transfer to Versailles hotel
Year of Stage: 2027
All will be revealed in October when we find out the stage 21 start location of the 2027 Tour!
We had to leave something as a surprise so stage 21 is still an unknown – wherever the pros start their stage 21, we’ll start ours.
Wherever that is, we’ll make sure we pass the Eiffel Tower and we’ll do at least one lap of whatever Paris circuit is chosen, finishing (we assume!) on the Champs Elysees.
Then we’ll finish the day with a Seine river cruise dinner and party. The whole stage will be a party of parties to finish a Tour of Tours – an amazing way to celebrate such a special time together.
Le Loop Logistics
Start:Versailles hotel
Finish:Paris hotel
The Route 2027: ?? to Paris
Fri 25th June - Mon 19th July
What do we know so far about the 2027 Route?
Right now, the rumours are for either Rotterdam and The Hague, or a UK Grand Depart that could feature 3 stages in Scotland, England and Wales.
We’re keeping a keen eye out for an announcement very soon!!
To understand how Le Loop works, check out this page for everything you need to know before signing up.
Sales for the 2027 tour will open at 9am on Friday 24th July 2026.