Paris-Nice 2026: Route

Paris–Nice starts this coming Sunday and finishes the following Sunday. As always, the Race to the Sun caters to all types of riders — sprinters, breakaway specialists, puncheurs, time trialists and climbers. The riders face around 1,230 kilometres in the saddle, with 16,000 metres of elevation gain. As in the past three years, the time trial is a team event, and the race features two uphill finishes.

Latest update: 4 March 2026 (final route distances and elevation gains included)

Stage-by-stage breakdown of Paris-Nice 2026

[click the italicised links for detailed stage descriptions]

Stage 1
Riders face almost 2,000 metres of climbing over 170.9 kilometres. The stage finishes on a circuit featuring a short, punchy climb of 1.1 kilometres at 8.3%, located 10 kilometres from the line.

Stage 2
With 1,270 metres of elevation gain over 187 kilometres, stage 2 offers a prime opportunity for the sprinters — unless crosswinds disrupt the fast men’s plans. The only climbs are located far from the finish.

Stage 3
Stage 3 is a gently rolling 23.5-kilometre team time trial. As in the past three editions, each rider’s individual time counts. Just as will be the case in the upcoming Tour de France.

Stage 4
Covering 195 kilometres and more than 2,500 metres of climbing, day four brings the first of two uphill finishes. The route itself is not particularly demanding, but the finale is something to look forward to. The closing kilometres rise and fall continuously, before the road ramps up to a brutal 12.8% after the flamme rouge.

Stage 5
It's the longest stage of Paris–Nice — and also the most demanding in terms of elevation gain. Over 206.3 kilometres, riders tackle nearly 3,000 metres of climbing, with three steep ascents in the final 35 kilometres preceding a slightly uphill finish.

Stage 6
Stage 6 is a hilly race of 179.3 kilometres with 2,100 metres of climbing. With 4.5 kilometres remaining, riders crest the final climb: 4 kilometres at 5% and with the last 650 metres averaging 7.3%. The riders fly downhill before the final kilometre is flat.

Stage 7
At 138.7 kilometres, the riders travel from Nice to Auron. After two early climbs, everything comes down to the final ascent, which rises over 7.3 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.2%. Along the way, riders accumulate 2,580 metres of elevation gain.

Stage 8
The final stage covers 129.2 kilometres with 2,300 metres of climbing. Three climbs spice up the route, with the last one averaging 8.8% over 3.3 kilometres. From the summit, 18.5 kilometres remain to the finish.

Favourites: Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, Juan Ayuso
Title holder: Matteo Jorgenson
Record holder: Sean Kelly (7 overall titles)