Designing a Tour de France route: a three-year labour of love

Tour de France route planning begins three years ahead, led by director Christian Prudhomme.

Prudhomme chooses a Grand Depart city and selects 21 stage towns from 300 candidates including 50 foreign ones.

Route decisions balance sport, scenery, regional coverage, and fan reception, with priority on weekend stages and Bastille Day.

Non-negotiable iconic climbs like Tourmalet, Galibier, Ventoux, and Alpe d'Huez are required.

After Prudhomme sets stage towns, route director Thierry Gouvenou maps the exact 3,000-km path starting after the Tour finishes.