Quick Answer
The 2027 Tour de France — the 114th edition — runs July 2 to 25, opening with a historic first-ever Grand Départ in Edinburgh, Scotland. The confirmed opening three stages run through Scotland, England and Wales before the race transfers to France; the full French route and mountain stages have not yet been officially announced.
When
Jul 2–25, 2027
Where
Grand Départ: Edinburgh, Scotland; finishing in Paris
Est. Daily Budget
£150–£300 (mid-range)
When to Book
With the opening stages confirmed well ahead of the race, roadside viewing along the Scotland/England/Wales route is free, though towns along the confirmed stages should see accommodation book up early given the novelty of the UK Grand Départ. The full French route, including any mountain stages, has not yet been announced — avoid booking non-refundable travel tied to unconfirmed French stage locations.
The Tour de France is cycling's most prestigious race, and the 2027 edition — the 114th running — makes history before it even reaches France: for the first time, the men's Tour begins with a Grand Départ in Scotland. The confirmed opening three stages run July 2-4 through Scotland, England and Wales, before the race transfers to France for the remainder of its three-week route, running through July 25.
The race itself dates to 1903, created by the sports newspaper L'Auto as a way to boost circulation — director Henri Desgrange is usually credited as its founder, though the actual idea came from one of his journalists, Géo Lefèvre. The race's signature yellow leader's jersey, the maillot jaune, wasn't part of the original event; it was introduced in 1919, reportedly matching the yellow newsprint L'Auto was printed on, with rider Eugène Christophe the first to wear it and Firmin Lambot the first to win it in Paris that July.
The confirmed opening stages are themselves a notable route in their own right: Stage 1 runs Edinburgh to Carlisle (184km) on Friday, July 2; Stage 2 threads through the Lake District from Keswick to Liverpool on Saturday, July 3; and Stage 3 runs from Welshpool to Cardiff on Sunday, July 4. The race then transfers to France, though the specific French stages, mountain passes and host cities beyond that point have not yet been officially announced.
What's Confirmed So Far
Confirmed: the opening three stages
July 2 (Edinburgh–Carlisle), July 3 (Keswick–Liverpool, through the Lake District), and July 4 (Welshpool–Cardiff) are all officially confirmed, marking the first time the Tour de France has started in Scotland.
Not yet confirmed: the French route
Beyond the UK opening stages and the overall July 2-25 date range, the specific French stages, mountain passes, and finish-line details in Paris have not been officially announced as of this writing — treat any route rumors with caution until Le Tour's official announcement.
How Much Does a Trip Cost?
The estimates below cover the confirmed UK opening stages specifically, since the French route isn't yet finalized enough to budget around.
| Budget Tier | Daily Cost (GBP) | Viewing | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £60 – £120 | Free roadside viewing | Budget accommodation in a stage town |
| Mid-Range | £150 – £300 | Paid grandstand/VIP area | Mid-range accommodation |
| Luxury | £400 – £1,200+ | Official hospitality package | Premium accommodation |
Getting There & Around
Logistics
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is the natural gateway for the Grand Départ; Carlisle, Liverpool and Cardiff are all well served by UK rail for following the opening stages.
- Roadside viewing along any Tour de France stage is free — arrive early at a stage start or finish town, or a well-known climb, for the best spots.
- Once the race transfers to France, options will depend on the still-unannounced French route — check Le Tour's official site as the full route is released.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the 2027 Tour de France dates?
July 2 to 25, 2027 — the 114th edition, opening with the first-ever Grand Départ in Scotland.
Is the full 2027 route confirmed?
Only the opening three stages (Edinburgh to Carlisle, through the Lake District to Liverpool, and Welshpool to Cardiff) are officially confirmed as of this writing; the French portion of the route, including any mountain stages, has not yet been announced.
Why does the yellow jersey exist?
The maillot jaune was introduced in 1919 by race director Henri Desgrange, reportedly matching the yellow newsprint of L'Auto, the newspaper that created the Tour — Eugène Christophe was the first rider to wear it.
Fact-Checking & Sources
Status: PARTIALLY CONFIRMED · Last verified against the sources below on 2026-09-20. Event dates, venues, and pricing can change — always confirm critical details on the official event website before booking non-refundable travel.
- Official SourceLe Tour — Official Site
- Secondary SourceDiscover France — Tour de France 2027
