Étape du Tour: What It Is, Who It’s For and Whether to Ride It
The short answer: The Étape du Tour (officially L’Étape du Tour de France) is a mass-participation cycling event where around 16,000 amateur riders tackle a mountain stage of the Tour de France on closed roads, a few days before the professionals ride it. It is for well-prepared cyclists who want the atmosphere and the closed roads, and who are happy to plan the logistics carefully.
What is the Étape du Tour?
The Étape du Tour is a cyclosportive, a long-distance event that is ridden by amateurs but is not a race for most of them. It follows the exact route of one stage of that year’s Tour de France, usually in the Alps or the Pyrenees, with the roads closed to traffic. Riders get timing, medical cover, police at junctions, mechanical support and feed stations, and finish in the same place as the stage.
It is organised by ASO, the company that runs the Tour de France. The route is announced in October at the Tour de France presentation and changes every year. Routes in recent editions have been roughly 130 to 170 km with 4,000 to 5,400 metres of climbing.
How long has the Étape du Tour existed?
Amateur cyclists have been riding an Étape du Tour since 1993. Since then it has become the biggest cyclosportive in Europe, with about 16,000 riders in recent editions, many travelling from abroad. The 2027 edition will be the 35th. Since 2025 there has also been a version linked to the Tour de France Femmes.
The 2027 Étape du Tour at a glance
- Date: Sunday 11 July 2027
- Route: Cluses (Haute-Savoie) to Les Saisies (Savoie)
- Distance: 154 km
- Climbing: 4,850 m
- Climbs: five major ascents, including the Col de la Colombière (15.9 km at 7%), the Col du Pré and the Bisanne climb (12.4 km at 8.3%) to the finish
- Pros ride the same stage: Wednesday 14 July 2027
Past editions include Albertville to La Plagne (2025), Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez (2026) and Annemasse to Morzine (2023).
Who is the Étape du Tour for?
It suits you if:
- You have done big mountain days before and still felt human at the end.
- You can commit to months of structured training.
- You have prepared for heat, cold and rain.
- Closed roads, the crowds and the Tour de France atmosphere matter to you.
It probably doesn’t suit you if:
- You dislike crowds or large starts.
- You can’t train consistently.
- You want a calm, tidy day out.
That isn’t a failing. Plenty of great rides don’t need a number on your back.
Is the Étape du Tour hard?
Yes. It is a full Tour de France mountain stage with thousands of metres of climbing, and it is usually ridden in conditions you can’t control. There is also a time limit, so you need to keep moving. The route is published months ahead, nobody forces you to enter, and riders who prepare generally finish. The most common mistake is not knowing what the day demands until you are in the middle of it.
How much does the Étape du Tour cost?
In recent years, entry started at around €159 for a basic place, rising to around €231 with a jersey and medal. Check the current price on the official site. The fee buys closed roads, medical cover, timing, mechanical support and feed stations.
For most riders the entry fee is the smaller part of the cost. Travel, accommodation and food usually cost several times more. Packages from tour operators are the easy route but cost more, so check exactly what they include. I explain this in more detail here: Is the Etape du Tour Worth It ?
How do you enter the Étape du Tour?
- Pre-register through a free Tour de France Club account. Pre-registration is only available through this account, so set it up before registration opens.
- General sale usually opens in early November, after the route is revealed. Entries can sell out within hours or minutes.
- Other routes in: the L’Étape Series events, which give early access through the Reward programme, plus charity places and tour operator packages.
- Requirements: you must be at least 18 and provide a sports licence, a medical certificate or a Module Santé, as required by the French cycling federation.
Is the Étape du Tour worth it?
Some French riders say it isn’t made for 99% of cyclists, and defenders argue the closed roads and the Tour de France name are worth the price. I think both sides miss part of the story. My honest answer is in this video:
and written up here: Is the Etape du Tour Worth It ?
Can you ride the Étape route on your own instead?
Yes, but check the high passes are open, because they are often shut for months. Plan water, food, weather and the way home, and mark every water point and bakery. You give up the closed roads, the crowds and the support if something goes wrong.
Preparing for the Étape du Tour
- Train with others: my small Étape du Tour cohort prepares riders together from November to July.
- Book your stay: chalet accommodation in Crest-Voland, close to the 2027 finish, with breakfast, dinner and a drive to the start.
- First time? Read my L’Etape du Tour guide.
FAQ
What is the Étape du Tour?
A cycling event where amateur riders ride a stage of the Tour de France on closed roads, before the professionals.
Who runs the Étape du Tour?
ASO, the organiser of the Tour de France.
When is the Étape du Tour 2027?
Sunday 11 July 2027, from Cluses to Les Saisies.
How many people ride it?
About 16,000 in recent editions.
Is it a race?
It is timed, and a handful of riders race, but most ride it as a personal challenge.
How hard is it?
Very. Recent routes have had around 4,000 to 5,400 metres of climbing, so you need months of preparation.
How do I get a place?
Pre-register through a Tour de France Club account, enter when general sale opens, or go through the L’Étape Series, a charity or a tour operator.
Do I need a medical certificate?
You need a sports licence, a medical certificate or a Module Santé.
Can I ride the route without entering?
Yes, but check the passes are open and plan your own food, water and way home.
