The Tour de France in Haute-Savoie

The Tour de France will once again include a stage in Haute-Savoie in 2026

The 2026 Tour de France in Haute-Savoie promises to be an exciting year for cycling enthusiasts, curious onlookers and anyone who loves the thrill of cheering from the roadside. With a legendary mountain stage passing through the region, the world’s greatest cycling race returns to the heart of the Alps, putting the Monts du Genevois s in the spotlight. Spanning Salève, the Col de la Croisette, the Solaison plateau, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois and the shores of Lake Geneva, the Genevois region is set to become the perfect place to follow the race, soak up the atmosphere and discover a region nestled between the lake, the mountains and stunning panoramic views.

The 2026 Tour de France Haute-Savoie is set to be one of the major sporting events of the year. In the Monts du Genevois, the passage of the peloton promises to set the region’s heart racing to the rhythm of cycling, the race caravan and supporters from all over the world.

This new edition showcases a spectacular mountain stage, with the Salève providing a striking backdrop before the finish on the Solaison plateau. Here, the race does more than just pass through. It reveals the terrain, the villages, the roads, the route and the viewpoints that make the Monts du Genevois a destination in a class of its own – vibrant and accessible.

Some figures Since 1947

22Stop-off towns

33Mountain passes or climbs conquered

2023Last visit

Since 1947, Haute-Savoie has had a strong connection with the Tour de France. The department has hosted 22 stage towns and seen 33 mountain passes or climbs crossed. The last time the race passed through was in 2023, with Alpine routes that were already eagerly anticipated by cycling fans and high-mountain enthusiasts.

In 2026, the Tour returns with two highlights in Haute-Savoie. Stage 15 runs from Champagnole to the Solaison plateau over 183.9 km, with nearly 3,950 metres of elevation gain. After a rest day in the department, Stage 16 features a 26.1 km individual time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains.

In total, over 210 km of racing will showcase the region’s mountains, lakes, challenging roads and alpine landscapes. This is a great opportunity to plan your visit,anticipate road closures and traffic restrictions, and choose the best spot to experience the event up close.

Competition

The Tour is on, and the adventure begins!

To celebrate this event, set off in search of the region’s hidden gems through a brand-new interactive game, from 1 to 31 July.

It's up to you!

Haute-Savoie & the Tour de France: a love story

Haute-Savoie and the Tour de France share a history characterised by hard work, mountain passes, thrilling moments and shared memories. Ever since the Tour first passed through the department in 1911, the race has often found the Alps to be the ideal setting in which to write some of its finest chapters.

Over the decades, the Alpine stages have shaped the legend. From Chambéry to Albertville, via La Plagne, Châtel, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois and the roads of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Tour has showcased stunning landscapes and climbs capable of turning the general classification on its head. Every town, every mountain pass, every mountain finish tells a part of this story.

The 2026 edition continues this tradition, featuring a stage that is particularly eagerly anticipated by cycling enthusiasts. The Salève, often dubbed the ‘balcony of Geneva’, promises a unique atmosphere. The climb up the Col de la Croisette promises to be a highlight, whilst the finish on the Solaison plateau is set to provide a spectacular showdown between the favourites.

This story is also being written by women. The Tour de France Femmes confirmsthe rise of women’s cycling and the public’s desire to follow all aspects of the great race. In the Monts du Genevois, this passion is experienced in the simplest of ways: by the side of a road, against a panoramic backdrop, in a bustling town or as you pass through a village filled with the energy of the Tour, from Saint-Julien-en-Genevois to the neighbouring mountain roads.

1911

Over the years, the history of the Tour de France has become closely intertwined with that of our region.

Although the Tour was created in 1903 by the newspaper *L’Auto*, it was in 1911 that it first travelled along the roads of our department. The 344-kilometre stage ran from Chamonix to Grenoble.

1974

In 1974, the man to beat in the Tour was Eddy Merckx. The Belgian rider had already won the Tour four times and was aiming for a fifth victory. But on 8 July, between Gaillard and Aix-les-Bains, it was during the climb up the Mont-du-Chat (Savoie) that Raymond Poulidor opened the attack on a mountain pass that the Tour riders were tackling for the first time. A pass that had escaped Eddy Merckx’s attention during his reconnaissance.

1983

On 20 July 1983, Jacques Michaud, a local boy born in Saint Julien-en-Genevois, won a stage between Alpe d’Huez and Morzine. On that day, he secured victory following a solo breakaway lasting over 60 km.

2004

In 2004, Stage 18 of the Tour de France set off from Annemasse for the first time. The riders had to cover 166.5 km to reach Lons-le-Saunier.

2018

Year after year, the Tour de France continues to explore new routes. It was in 2018 that the Grande Boucle tackled the climb up the Plateau des Glières – a key site of the Resistance – for the first time.

2023

In 2023, for its 110th edition, the Tour de France remains captivated by our region. Cyclists from all over the world set out to tackle the legendary mountain passes in our department. They set off to conquer the most challenging climbs, such as the Col de Joux Plane and the Col de la Croix Fry – legendary passes that are as fascinating as they are daunting.

The stages in Haute-Savoie

Step 15

Champagnole & Solaison Plateau

183.9 km

Mountain

Elevation gain: 3,950 m

Letape Profile Tdf2026

The stage is set for a major mountain stage that is likely to definitively narrow down the contenders for the Yellow Jersey. The battle is bound to be fierce on the climb up to the Salève via the Col de la Croisette, with nearly 5 km of gruelling ascent at an average gradient of 11.2 per cent. For the final showdown, the route reaches the Solaison plateau via a narrow road through the villages of the Bornes massif, covering 11.3 km with an average gradient of 9.1 per cent. A springboard to glory.

Comment by Christian Prudhomme.

Step 14

Évian-les-Bains & Thonon-les-Bains

26.1 km

Individual time trial

Elevation gain: 500m

Once the lessons learnt over the weekend have been analysed during the rest day, the resumption of the race gives those who struggled on the peaks of the Vosges and the Alps the chance to recover between two spa resorts. That said, the route is anything but a stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva. One-third climb, one-third descent, one-third flat: an explosive mix that only all-rounders can handle.

Comment by Christian Prudhomme.

Places to visit

Coming to watch the Tour de France in Haute-Savoie also means enjoying a region that makes you want to extend your stay. Monts du Genevois s provide an ideal base from which to explore the lakes, mountains, villages and scenic roads. You can follow the race, then switch things up by heading up to the Salève, exploring the shores of Lake Geneva or heading to Annecy for a relaxing break by the water.

During the event, please remember to check the practical information before you arrive. Road closures, traffic restrictions, race timetables, competitions, local entertainment and access to spectator areas may vary depending on the local council. Planning your journey in advance will allow you to enjoy the race with greater peace of mind and make the most of the atmosphere, without any unpleasant surprises caused by last-minute closures.

Along the route, Haute-Savoie also reveals its charm through its villages, panoramic views, outdoor activities and heritage. From a challenging road to a break by the lake, from a viewpoint overlooking the Alps to a stone-faced building in a mountain village, every detour can turn out to be a lovely surprise.

From the Salève to the Solaison Plateau: the highlights of the stage

The Salève is one of the major landmarks of this 2026 stage. From its heights, the view stretches out over Geneva, Lake Geneva, the Alps and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc. It is the perfect place to experience the mountain spirit of the ‘ Monts du Genevois’, amidst wide-open spaces, winding roads and the energy of the race.

For the riders, the climb up the Col de la Croisette promises to be gruelling. For spectators, it promises a thrilling moment, right at the heart of the action. After the Salève, the race continues towards the Solaison plateau, another key summit of the stage. Up there, the mountain dictates the pace. The landscape narrows, the gradient steepens and the finish could prove decisive.

Between Salève and Solaison, the Tour showcases everything that makes Haute-Savoie so special: challenging roads, breathtaking panoramas, mountain sports that inspire all year round, and that simple feeling of experiencing a great moment in the heart of nature. Near Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, the scenery also serves as a reminder of just how much the stone, the mountain pastures and the terrain shape the character of the landscapes traversed.

From Thonon-les-Bains to Annecy: exploring the lakes

The time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains offers a different perspective on the Tour de France in Haute-Savoie. Here, the race unfolds between spa towns, the rolling hills of the Chablais and the shores of Lake Geneva. The individual time trial format gives each rider their moment of truth, in an atmosphere quite different from the mountain stages.

From Thonon-les-Bains, you can also easily explore other landscapes of water and mountains. Lake Annecy invites you to slow down, stroll, breathe and extend your stay after the intensity of the race. Further south, the River Rhône serves as a reminder that the region is also a land of crossroads, connections and routes.

Between Thonon, Annecy, Lake Geneva, the Rhône and the Monts du Genevois, the Tour becomes more than just a sporting event. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get away from it all, discover Haute-Savoie in a different light and take the time to see the Alps in a new way. Families can also extend the festive spirit with games, local entertainment or leisurely breaks around the villages and lakes.

What’s worth visiting in Haute-Savoieduring the Tour?

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Experience the Tour de France

in the heart of Monts du Genevois

The Tour de France’s passage through the region is the perfect opportunity to discover the landscapes, activities and must-see sites of the Monts du Genevois. Plan your visit with our dedicated guide: an overview of the stages, practical information, ideas for days out, and the region’s legendary and unmissable climbs.

Extend your Tour de France experience in the Monts du Genevois