Conditions on this page are recalculated from the latest forecast every time it is opened, for the current date in the location's own time zone.
The Tour de France 2026 runs from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 26 July 2026 — 23 days, 21 race stages and 2 rest days. The 113th edition covers 3,333 km. The Grand Départ is in Barcelona, Spain (the third Spanish start in Tour history), and the race finishes in Paris on Stage 21, with the finale once again climbing the Côte de la Butte Montmartre before the run-in to the Champs-Élysées. Barcelona was awarded the 2026 Grand Départ by race organisers ASO in February 2025. Stages 1 and 2 both finish on Montjuïc hill next to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (1992 Olympics). Stage 1 is a 19.7 km team time trial — the first time a Tour opens with a TTT in many years and a rare format for a Grand Départ. The 2026 Tour finishes on Sunday 26 July with Stage 21 from Thoiry to the Champs-Élysées in Paris (130 km, flat). The race traditionally rolls into central Paris in mid-afternoon and the bunch sprint or breakaway finish lands between 19:00 and 19:30 CEST. No — the Tour de France Femmes 2026 starts on 1 August (after the men's race ends 26 July). However Mont Ventoux is on the Tour Femmes 2026 route, not the men's. The two races now run back-to-back through the same calendar window. Stages typically start between 11:00 and 13:30 CEST and finish between 16:30 and 17:30 CEST. Mountain stages can run until 18:00. Plan to be in your roadside spot at least 3 hours before estimated arrival, especially on Alpe d'Huez and any final mountain pass where road closures begin 6–8 hours before the race. July is the hottest, driest month for most of mainland France and northeast Spain. Expect 25–32°C on flat and hilly stages, 30°C+ heatwaves possible on flat days in the south, and dramatically cooler conditions in the Pyrenees and Alps — 8–15°C at high passes with afternoon thunderstorms a near-daily risk above 2,000 m. Climatologically, French summer is dominated by stable high pressure with intermittent thundery breakdowns. The flat stages in the southwest and around Bordeaux/Bergerac average 7–9 wet days in July. In the high mountains afternoon convective storms occur on 30–40% of July afternoons — race timing usually finishes before peak storm hours, but not always. Mountain stages are the most thermally variable. The valley start can be 32°C in Pau, Lannemezan or Bourg-d'Oisans, while the summit at Alpe d'Huez (1,860 m) is typically 10–14°C cooler. Add wind chill on long descents at 80 km/h and riders descend in temperatures effectively below 10°C — a 25°C swing inside one stage. Alpe d'Huez (1,860 m) in July averages 19°C daytime high and 9°C overnight low, with thunderstorms common on summer afternoons. Stage 19 (24 July) and Stage 20 (25 July) both finish on Alpe d'Huez — two consecutive summit finishes on the legendary climb. Spectators should pack for sun, sudden rain, and post-sunset temperatures below 10°C. Sunday 26 July in Paris averages 26°C daytime high and 16°C overnight low. Rain risk is moderate (~25%) and afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The finishing circuit starts mid-afternoon and finishes around 19:00 CEST — sunset is at 21:35, so the final laps usually unfold in long golden-hour light. Stage 3 (first Pyrenees), Stage 6 (Pau → Gavarnie-Gèdre queen stage), Stage 14 (Vosges), Stage 15 (Plateau de Solaison summit), Stage 18 (Orcières-Merlette), and the double Alpe d'Huez weekend (Stages 19–20) are the most exposed. Storms, snow, or extreme heat have neutralised stages in past editions. Layer for variability. Bring sun hat, SPF 50, refillable water (2 L), packable waterproof, light jumper, and sturdy walking shoes — most viewing spots involve a 1–3 hour walk and 4–6 hours waiting roadside. For mountain stages, add a fleece and windproof for after the riders pass and temperatures drop fast. For famous climbs like Alpe d'Huez, Tourmalet, or Plateau de Solaison, road closures begin 6–8 hours before race arrival. Plan to be in position by 09:00 for a 16:30 finish, ideally earlier if you want a prime corner spot. Sun hat, SPF 50, sunglasses, packable waterproof, light fleece, 2 L water, snacks, foldable chair, plastic groundsheet, fully-charged phone, small radio for race commentary.
Scores are capped by dealbreakers — heavy rain, dangerous wind, thick fog or hazardous UV pull a day down no matter how pleasant the rest of the numbers look. Forecast data is Open-Meteo; solar and lunar values are computed for Tour De France Weather Forecast's own coordinates and time zone. Full details on the methodology page.