Col de Sarenne

Col de Sarenne: Tour de France 2026 Impact & Debate

Col de Sarenne and the Tour de France 2026: A Beautiful but Difficult Question

I love the Tour de France.
I love the Étape du Tour.

Like many cyclists, these events are why I first discovered the French mountains.

But in 2026, something feels different.

On July 19th, around 16,000 amateur riders will take on one of the hardest Etapes in years — 171 km with over 5,000 metres of climbing. Then, on July 25th, the professionals will ride almost exactly the same route.

And both events cross one of the most fragile alpine passages in the region: the Col de Sarenne.

So the question becomes:
Should the Tour de France really be here?

Watch my full video discussion here:

The 2026 Route: Why This Year Is Different

The amateur Étape du Tour 2026 route includes:

Le Bourg d’Oisans – Col de la Croix de Fer – Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Col du Télégraphe – Col du Galibier – Col du Lautaret – Mizoën – Col de Sarenne – Alpe d’Huez.

It’s a huge day in the Alps. Then the pro peloton arrives days later and repeats the challenge. That means one valley hosting two mass cycling events in a single week. Economically? Incredible. Environmentally? Complicated.

Why the Col de Sarenne Is So Fragile

The Col de Sarenne sits at 1,999 metres, linking the high plateau above Alpe d’Huez with the wild valleys above Mizoën and Clavans.

It is:

  • Narrow
  • Exposed
  • Cracked in places
  • Largely unprotected by barriers
  • Ecologically sensitive

Parts of the surrounding area include protected alpine flora and fauna. The road was never designed for heavy convoy traffic, continuous support vehicles, or large spectator movements.

When the Tour last crossed Sarenne in 2013, it was spectacular — but controversial. Reports highlighted road damage, erosion from spectator traffic, and concerns about wildlife disturbance. Some local voices argued that the impact of a single day took years to fully recover.

Now multiply that by:

  • 16,000 amateur riders
  • A full professional Tour stage
  • Thousands of spectators
  • Team cars, motorbikes, TV helicopters, medical vehicles

That’s when the debate shifts from emotional to practical.

The Economic Argument: The Oisans Lives for Weeks Like This

There’s no denying it.

When the Tour and the Étape come to the Oisans, everything fills up.

Hotels booked months in advance.
Campsites packed.
Gîtes, restaurants, bike shops, rental companies — all thriving.

For towns like Alpe d’Huez, Bourg d’Oisans, Le Freney, Le Clapier and La Garde, these events bring hundreds of thousands of euros into the local economy.

The Tour de France is not just a race.
It’s global visibility.
It’s tourism promotion.
It’s long-term cycling branding.

Put a helicopter over Sarenne, broadcast it to 30 million viewers, and the region becomes iconic overnight.

Safety and Logistics: A Real Concern

Beyond environmental impact, there is logistics.

The Sarenne road is extremely narrow.

During the Étape, riders spread out over 30 km.
During the Tour, the race caravan compresses into a moving convoy: team cars, neutral service, race officials, motorbikes, TV vehicles, medical support.

There are steep, uneven gradients and long sections without barriers.

Emergency access is limited.

You can understand why some local residents and environmental groups are pushing back.

Is It a Trade-Off — or a Gamble?

Some argue this is a simple economic versus environmental trade-off.

Others say it’s not a trade-off at all — it’s a gamble.

Environmental groups warn that repeated high-traffic events in sensitive alpine zones can cause:

  • Soil erosion
  • Habitat disruption
  • Disturbance during breeding seasons
  • Long-term meadow and trail damage

The region also depends heavily on long-term cycling tourism. If the landscape suffers, the very thing attracting visitors could be weakened.

Loving the Tour — and Still Questioning It

I want to be clear.

I love the Tour de France.
I love the Étape du Tour.

They celebrate human effort, mountains, and cycling culture at its best.

But loving something doesn’t mean we can’t question it — especially when the place we ride through is as delicate as the Sarenne valley.

The real challenge for 2026 will be balance:

  • Crowd control
  • Traffic management
  • Wildlife protection
  • Infrastructure repair
  • Sustainable long-term planning

Because the goal isn’t just a spectacular race day.

It’s ensuring the valley is still wild, quiet, and rideable years from now.

So Should the Tour Return to the Col de Sarenne in 2026?

That’s the question.

Is the short-term economic boom worth the potential long-term environmental strain?

Or can modern race organisation strike the right balance?

If you’ve ridden the Col de Sarenne yourself, you know how fragile it feels. And once you’ve seen it up close, the debate becomes very real.

Watch the full video here and share your view: Lets start a conversation

FAQ: Col de Sarenne and Tour de France 2026

Will the Col de Sarenne be used in the Tour de France 2026?
Yes. The pro stage on July 25th will include it, following the amateur Étape du Tour on July 19th.

Why is the Col de Sarenne controversial?
Because of its narrow road, ecological sensitivity, and concerns about erosion and wildlife disturbance from large-scale cycling events.

Is the Tour de France good for the Oisans region?
Economically, yes. It generates significant tourism revenue for the Oisans and global exposure. The debate centres on whether that benefit can be sustained without long-term environmental damage.