The 2027 Tour de France starts on Friday 2 July 2027 in Edinburgh, a first for Scotland. Stage 1 runs 184 km from Edinburgh to Carlisle, with one categorised climb, the Melrose climb. The full route, French stages included, will be unveiled on 22 October 2026 in Paris. The French stages are not yet confirmed.
Checked on against the official sources cited (British stages, funding, visitor levy); the 22 October presentation date is reported by the press.
The 2027 Tour de France starts in Scotland, and its first three stages are already locked in. The Grand Départ is on 2 July in Edinburgh, then the race crosses England and Wales over three days. The French route is still to come: it will be presented on 22 October 2026. This article sorts out, date by date, what is official, what comes from the press and what is still unknown at the time of writing.
1. A Grand Départ in Edinburgh, Friday 2 July 2027
Edinburgh, the starting city
The Tour de France 2027 starts in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital hosting the Grand Départ of the 114th edition. The date appears on the official race website, which gives Friday 2 July 2027 (Grand Départ Grande-Bretagne, stage 1 page). Local councils have repeated it in their own announcements.
The start falls on a Friday. According to the press, UCI rules allow the organiser to start the Tour on a Friday once every four years, and A.S.O. used that option in Copenhagen in 2022. The exact regulation is not quoted here: treat this as press reporting.
Highlights
- A start in a city dominated by its castle, with Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat close to the centre.
- Three days and three British nations: Scotland on 2 July, England on 3 July, Wales on 4 July.
- A women’s race that also starts in Great Britain, with stages in Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, then a team time trial in London.
If you arrive in Edinburgh before the start, a cycle tour of the city helps you get your bearings around the centre, the bridges and the neighbouring districts, while you wait for the official details of road closures.
2. The calendar, date by date
The table below lists only the dates announced by the organiser or the local councils. Press reports, including the rest day and the arrival in Paris, are covered in section 7.
| Date | Event | Place | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 22 October 2026, 11:00 am | Presentation of the full route | Palais des Congrès, Porte Maillot, Paris (free admission, live, according to Sortiraparis) | Reported by the press (Sortiraparis), not yet confirmed by the organiser in our sources |
| Tuesday 29 June 2027 | Press centre | EICC, Edinburgh | Official (EICC) |
| Wednesday 30 June 2027 | Team presentation | Edinburgh Castle, esplanade | Official (EICC) |
| Friday 2 July 2027 | Stage 1, Grand Départ | Edinburgh to Carlisle, 184 km | Official |
| Saturday 3 July 2027 | Stage 2 | Keswick to Liverpool, 223 km | Official |
| Sunday 4 July 2027 | Stage 3 | Welshpool to Cardiff, 223 km | Official |
Sources: Grand Départ Grande-Bretagne (letourgb.com), EICC Edinburgh, Sortiraparis, updated 13 October 2026, accessed 14 October 2026.
According to Sortiraparis (updated 13 October 2026), the 22 October presentation is scheduled for 11:00 am Paris time, at the Palais des Congrès in Porte Maillot, live and free of charge. This is the date reported for the French route.
3. The three British stages and the EICC days, official so far
The first three stages are the only ones whose date and route have been published by the organiser and the councils concerned. The table summarises their key facts, before the detail for each.
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 2 July 2027 | Edinburgh to Carlisle | 184 km | Melrose climb, the only categorised climb |
| 2 | Saturday 3 July 2027 | Keswick to Liverpool | 223 km | Finish on The Strand, Liverpool |
| 3 | Sunday 4 July 2027 | Welshpool to Cardiff | 223 km | First men’s Tour stage in Wales |
Sources: letourgb.com, Cumberland Council (15 January 2026), Liverpool City Region (15 January 2026), Visit Wales, accessed 14 October 2026.
Stage 1: Edinburgh, Melrose and Carlisle
The route published by the Scottish Borders councils passes through Innerleithen, Galashiels, Melrose, Hawick and Newcastleton before entering England at Carlisle (Scottish Borders Council, Tour de France page). The official list does not mention Selkirk, which one local press source places on the route: this article keeps to the official list.
The only categorised climb on the stage is the Melrose climb, in the Eildon Hills. That is where the first king of the mountains will be decided. For spectators, it is the point to watch during the race. Passage times and spectator areas have not been published yet.
The finish is in Carlisle, near the medieval castle, on a final straight that Cumberland Council describes as flat. No finish celebration has been announced at this stage: it’s a stage finish, not a departure party.
Highlights
- A crossing from Scotland into England on the same day.
- A single categorised climb, the Melrose climb.
- A finish in front of Carlisle Castle.
Stage 2: Keswick, the Lake District and Liverpool
The stage starts in Keswick, in the heart of the Lake District, and finishes on The Strand, in central Liverpool. The Liverpool City Region confirmed this finish in its announcement of 15 January 2026. In between, the press mentions Thirlmere, Grasmere, Windermere, Morecambe Bay, Lancaster, Knowsley and St Helens. These names are not in the official published route: they are press indications.
For the public, regional press announces free access along the roads and a publicity caravan passing about two hours before the riders. Passage times have not been published.
Highlights
- A start in the heart of the Lake District, with 223 km of road, almost 40 km more than stage 1.
- A finish in central Liverpool, on The Strand.
- A stage linking two major tourist regions in a single day.
Stage 3: Welshpool, the Welsh valleys and Cardiff
On Sunday 4 July, the race leaves Welshpool, near Powis Castle, and heads for Cardiff. It is the first time the men’s Tour has crossed Wales. The official distance is 223 km, according to the Grand Départ website (letourgb.com, route page). The start and finish are described by Visit Wales, Welshpool to Cardiff page.
According to the organiser, the finish is on 4 July. An 8 August date cited by a specialist site is not used in this article.
The press also mentions climbs in the final kilometres, including the Rhigos climb and the Caerphilly climb. Their presence is not confirmed by any published official profile.
Highlights
- A historic first passage of the men’s Tour through Wales.
- A finish in Cardiff on 4 July 2027, according to the organiser.
- Three stages in three days, from 2 to 4 July 2027.
4. Edinburgh before the start: press centre, teams and accommodation
Press centre, team presentation and visitor levy
The EICC, Edinburgh’s conference centre, hosts the press centre on 29 June 2027. The team presentation takes place the following day, 30 June, on the castle esplanade, according to the EICC statement of 7 September 2026 (EICC Edinburgh). No official ticket sale has been identified for these two days at the time of writing. Volunteer recruitment ran from 27 May to 1 September 2026 and is now closed.
The visitor levy, to add to your budget
Edinburgh charges a visitor levy of 5% of the accommodation cost, calculated before VAT and excluding extras such as parking, meals, drinks or transport. It is capped at five consecutive nights and applies to stays from 24 July 2026. Stays booked and at least partly paid before 1 October 2025 are exempt (City of Edinburgh Council, Visitor Levy).
If you also book tickets for the castle during your stay, a comparison explains the fast-track options and the guided tours: Edinburgh Castle tickets, fast-track or guided tour. To extend your stay towards the Highlands, the Loch Ness or Glencoe trip from Edinburgh helps you choose at your own pace.
5. Budget: a £9.25 million ceiling, not a final bill
The Scottish government has announced public funding of up to £9.25 million for the Grand Départ, contingency included. Within that envelope, £1 million is set aside for a social impact programme run by Scottish Cycling. This is a ceiling: the government has announced that full costs will be published after the event (gov.scot, announcement of 26 February 2026).
The press has circulated other figures. An initial city estimate of £3.3 million reportedly was exceeded, according to a specialist press article (road.cc), which points to a total above £10 million. Edinburgh City Council has also debated a £1.7 million draw on its reserves, a matter sent back to committee after objections from several group leaders. These amounts come from media and local debates: they are not published accounts.
| Item | Amount or rule | Published by |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish government funding for the Grand Départ | Up to £9.25 million, including £1 million of social impact | Scottish Government, announcement of 26 February 2026 |
| Edinburgh visitor levy | 5% before VAT, excluding extras, five nights maximum | City of Edinburgh Council |
| Levy exemption | Bookings and part-payments made before 1 October 2025 | City of Edinburgh Council |
| Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) | £20, stays up to 6 months, for EU travellers | gov.uk (the page does not name France specifically) |
| Access to the stages | Free entry announced along the roads | Regional press, not confirmed by the organiser |
| Presentation of the route in Paris | Free admission, live broadcast | Sortiraparis, updated 13 October 2026 |
Sources: gov.scot, edinburgh.gov.uk, gov.uk, ETA, accessed 14 October 2026.
The 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ is cited at £26.5 million by an unnamed press source; a City of Edinburgh statement mentions £131 million for Yorkshire without saying what that figure covers. These figures are not comparable without attribution.
6. The women’s race: Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and London
Three days of women’s racing in England
The women’s race also starts in Great Britain. The dates come from the organiser’s official website (Grand Départ Grande-Bretagne). The distances come from specialist press, as no official profile has been published.
Stage 1 runs from Leeds to Manchester on Friday 30 July, over 85.7 km, with three categorised climbs according to the specialist press: Kirkheaton Hill, Meltham Hill and Delph. Stage 2 leaves Manchester on Saturday 31 July for Sheffield, over 154.4 km, with a passage through the Peak District.
On Sunday 1 August, a team time trial takes place in London: about 18 km, teams of seven riders, and a finish on The Mall. It is the first team time trial in the history of the women’s race. Its full route has not been published yet.
Highlights
- A three-day programme, with very different profiles.
- A first-ever team time trial, in the British capital.
- The three women’s race days take place in England (Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London); the organiser has published their dates, and the press only their distances.
7. The French stages: what stays unknown before 22 October
No French stage is confirmed at the time of writing. The full route is due to be unveiled on 22 October 2026 at 11:00 am in Paris. Everything below comes from the press or from fan sites: read it as such.
What is circulating, and what is not confirmed
- A stage in Cherbourg on 6 July 2027 is described as « almost certain » by a fan site. No communication from the organiser confirms it: it’s a rumour.
- Pyrenees and Alps climbs appear in guides and on fan sites. They remain assumptions.
- A rest day on Monday 5 July 2027, with transfer to France, is announced by the press, with no official statement read.
- Finish in Paris on Sunday 25 July 2027, according to the press. This date is widely shared by third-party sites and by Wikipedia. It has not been confirmed in an organiser statement.
What other guides don’t tell you
The route guides we consulted for this article describe the three British stages well. They do, however, miss several practical points that appear in official sources.
- Edinburgh’s visitor levy is missing from these guides. It is 5% of the accommodation cost before VAT, for five nights maximum, for stays from 24 July 2026 (City of Edinburgh Council, accessed 14 October 2026).
- The Scottish funding is a ceiling, not a budget. It stands at £9.25 million, contingency included, with £1 million for social impact; press figures from £3.3 million to over £10 million are not published costs (gov.scot, accessed 14 October 2026).
- Road closures on stage 1 last about five hours on 2 July 2027. As of 14 October 2026, the road and timing details had not been published, while the guides mention no closures (Scottish Borders Council, accessed 14 October 2026).
- The women’s race includes a team time trial in London on 1 August 2027, the first in the history of the women’s race. Guides often reduce it to a single line or ignore it (letourgb.com, accessed 14 October 2026).
- The UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) costs £20 and covers stays of up to 6 months. Travel guides overlook this point (gov.uk, ETA, accessed 14 October 2026).
Practical information for your stay
An eSIM means you don’t have to hunt for a SIM card when you land in Edinburgh. Choose your plan based on trip length and data volume.
Plans depend on duration and data volume, shown on the siteFor a stay in Scotland and the UK, cover varies between policies: compare medical costs and cancellation terms before you go, especially if you travel in July.
Price depends on age and duration, shown on the insurer’s siteFrequently asked questions about the 2027 Tour de France
When does the 2027 Tour de France start in Scotland?
The Grand Départ is on Friday 2 July 2027, in Edinburgh. It is the first time the Tour has started in Scotland. Stage 1 runs from Edinburgh to Carlisle over 184 km, according to the official website of the British race, accessed 14 October 2026. The date is already published and does not depend on the 22 October presentation.
When will the full 2027 Tour route be revealed?
The full route, French stages included, will be presented on Thursday 22 October 2026 at 11:00 am Paris time, at the Palais des Congrès in Porte Maillot. Sortiraparis (updated 13 October 2026) reports that the broadcast is live and free. Before then, the three British stages and the EICC days on 29 and 30 June are official; the rest of the calendar comes from the press or is not yet published.
What is the route of the first stage?
Stage 1 passes through Edinburgh, Innerleithen, Galashiels, Melrose, Hawick and Newcastleton before reaching Carlisle, over 184 km. It has one categorised climb, the Melrose climb, in the Eildon Hills. The route is published by Scottish Borders Council, accessed 14 October 2026.
How much does the Edinburgh Grand Départ cost?
The Scottish government has announced funding of up to £9.25 million, contingency included, with £1 million for social impact. It is a ceiling, not a final cost. Earlier estimates of £3.3 million and higher figures circulate in the press, but they are not published accounts.
Is there a visitor levy in Edinburgh?
Yes. The levy is 5% of the accommodation cost, calculated before VAT and excluding extras. It is capped at five consecutive nights and applies to stays from 24 July 2026. Stays booked and at least partly paid before 1 October 2025 are exempt, according to the City of Edinburgh Council.
Do you need a ticket to watch the stages?
No official ticket sale has been identified for the stages. Regional press announces free access along the roads, with no race ticket. No public access information has yet been published for the team presentation on 30 June or the press centre on 29 June in Edinburgh.
Which French stages are confirmed?
None yet. The French route will be unveiled on 22 October 2026. Fan sites propose stages, for example in Cherbourg on 6 July, but the organiser has not confirmed these routes. Don’t book anything for a French stage before the official presentation.
What is the arrival date in Paris?
Sunday 25 July 2027 is the most widely shared date, repeated by third-party sites and by Wikipedia. The organiser had not confirmed it in a statement at the time of writing. Check it again after the 22 October 2026 presentation, which should confirm the final calendar.
Do you need an authorisation to visit the UK in 2027?
For EU travellers, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required. It costs £20 and covers stays of up to 6 months, according to gov.uk, accessed 14 October 2026. The page consulted does not name France specifically: check your case on the official site before paying.
Sources
- Grand Départ Grande-Bretagne, stage 1 page: start date, stage 1 distance and route.
- Grand Départ Grande-Bretagne, women’s race: dates of the women’s stages and of the team time trial.
- Scottish Borders Council, Tour de France page: stage 1 towns and road closures.
- Cumberland Council, announcement of 15 January 2026: stage 1 finish in Carlisle.
- Liverpool City Region, announcement of 15 January 2026: stage 2 finish on The Strand.
- Visit Wales, Welshpool to Cardiff page: stage 3 start.
- EICC Edinburgh, statement of 7 September 2026: press centre and team presentation.
- Scottish Government, announcement of 26 February 2026: funding of up to £9.25 million.
- City of Edinburgh Council, Visitor Levy: 5% levy, exemptions and effective date.
- gov.uk, electronic travel authorisation (ETA): amount and validity period.
- Sortiraparis, updated 13 October 2026: date, time and place of the route presentation.
Sources accessed 14 October 2026, unless stated otherwise. Items drawn from the press are flagged as such in the text.
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