Final Stage of Tour de France in Paris Maintained Due to Prominent Attacks and Massive Crowds at Montmartre Circuit
The Montmartre circuit is set to become a permanent feature of the Tour de France final stage, as organizers ASO prepare to submit an official request for its inclusion in the 2026 race and beyond.
During the 2022 Tour de France, the Montmartre circuit was used for the first time, bringing a new challenge to the traditional Champs-Élysées sprint finish. This decision was made following the success of the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and the 50th anniversary of the "World's most beautiful boulevard" being used in the Tour.
The Montmartre climb proved to be a dramatic addition, with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) being distanced by Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the final ascent. Despite some initial concerns over the added difficulty and potential impact on the overall general classification, the Montmartre circuit received generally positive reactions from fans and organizers.
The deputy race director, Pierre-Yves Thouault, expressed enthusiasm about continuing the Montmartre circuit and the possibility of creating a one-day Paris Classic involving that iconic route. A debrief is planned to discuss public accessibility and other improvements, but overall the desire from the organizers and public is to maintain the circuit as a long-term feature of the Tour’s finale.
French President Emmanuel Macron was impressed with the new look of the Paris stage during the 2022 Tour de France, and calls have been made in the French media to make the Montmartre circuit a permanent fixture. With a strong police presence of 3,000 officers needed for the 2022 Paris stage, it is expected that the event will continue happening despite the need for a strong police presence.
The confirmation of the Montmartre circuit in the 2026 Tour de France route will be announced on October 23, 2025, when the 2026 route is presented. Deputy Mayor for Sports Pierre Rabadan expressed the importance of continuing to develop and cherish moments of sharing and communion, and the Montmartre circuit is expected to be a significant part of those moments for years to come.
Fans and organizers widely appreciated the challenging addition of the Montmartre climb to the Tour de France, which marked a new chapter for the traditional Champs-Élysées sprint finish. The Montmartre circuit, with its dramatic final ascent, is set to become a permanent feature of the Tour de France, inspiring future sports events in Paris.
