After the one-off finish in Nice in 2024, Paris once again provides the finale – though, as last year, not with the usual sprinters’ stage. The cobbled climb towards the Sacré-Cœur produced such spectacular racing last time that it makes a return this year. The section, which runs for 1.1 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.9%, will be tackled three times in total, with the final ascent coming 6.1 kilometres from the finish line.
The run-in to Paris follows the familiar pattern. After plenty of chatter and even more photo opportunities, the riders reach the French capital after roughly 50 kilometres. Then come three laps of 6.8 kilometres on the Champs-Élysées, before heading for the Côte de la Butte Montmartre for the first time. The circuit including the cobbled climb measures 16.7 kilometres and is also ridden three times.
Wout van Aert pulled off the unseen in last year’s finale: he dropped Tadej Pogacar. On the cobbles of the Côte de la Butte Montmartre, the yellow jersey launched an attack, but the Belgian countered and rode away solo to a resounding victory. With that, the Slovenian missed out on his fifth stage win, but he still crossed the line in fourth place to secure his fourth overall Tour de France title. One more, and he will equal record holders Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 21st stage 2026 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2026, stage 21: routes, profiles, videos
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