The Grand Départ

June 2026: London

The adventure begins in the heart of London. Every pedal stroke is a promise to the children we support.

Aerial photo of London

Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash

Day 1: London → Southampton (130 km)

First day to get out of the metropolis and reach the great port of Southampton, the boarding gate to France.

Port of Southampton

Photo by Hasan Karaman on Unsplash

Day 2: Le Havre → Rouen (90 km)

After the crossing, a first French stage along the Seine to warm up to the historic city of Rouen.

Urban photo of Rouen

Photo by Barry Talley on Unsplash

Day 3: Rouen → Paris (135 km)

We follow the meanders of the Seine for a majestic arrival in the capital, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Photo of the city of Paris

Photo by Dimitri Iakymuk on Unsplash

Day 4: Paris → Orléans (130 km)

We leave Paris heading south. A smoother ride to reach Orléans and the first castles of the Loire.

Photo of the city of Orléans

Photo by Snap Wander on Unsplash

Day 5: Rest in Orléans

After 4 intense days, a well-deserved break to recharge the batteries and explore the city before tackling the center of France.

Statue of Joan of Arc in Orléans

Photo by Andre Chipurenko on Unsplash

Day 6: Orléans → Châteauroux (150 km)

We leave the Loire to go deep into the heart of France. A transitional stage through the landscapes of Berry to reach Châteauroux.

Photo of a building on rue de la Gare in Châteauroux

Photo by Benjamin Smith on Wikimedia Commons

Day 7: Châteauroux → Limoges (140 km)

Heading southwest! The terrain becomes more hilly as we approach the Limousin, a day to test the legs before the foothills of the Massif Central.

Limoges-Bénédictins station

Photo by pony on Unsplash

Day 8: Limoges → Brive (100 km)

A shorter but more nervous stage that takes us towards the Dordogne. The green landscapes welcome us in Brive-la-Gaillarde.

Photo of Place Latreille in Brive-la-Gaillarde

Photo by Benjamin Smith on Wikimedia Commons

Day 9: Brive → Toulouse (220 km)

The queen stage of the week! A long day through the Lot to finally reach the Garonne and the magnificent "Pink City", Toulouse.

Pont Neuf in Toulouse

Photo by DAT VO on Unsplash

Day 10: Rest in Toulouse

Second and last day of rest. The opportunity to stroll along the Canal du Midi, enjoy the atmosphere of the southwest and prepare for the final stretch.

Place du Capitole in Toulouse

Photo by DAT VO on Unsplash

Day 11: Toulouse → Carcassonne (100 km)

We follow the Canal du Midi on a flat course. The objective: the majestic medieval city of Carcassonne which stands on the horizon.

Medieval city of Carcassonne

Photo by Alain Bonnardeaux on Unsplash

Day 12: Carcassonne → Perpignan (100 km)

Through the Corbières and its Cathar castles, the route becomes demanding again before plunging towards the Mediterranean and the Catalan capital, Perpignan.

Photo of a bridge in Perpignan

Photo by Moon D The Artist on Unsplash

Day 13: Perpignan → Girona (115 km)

That's it, we're crossing the border! The Pyrenees are behind us. Welcome to Spain for this stage to the magnificent Girona.

Colorful houses of Girona

Photo by Lucas Gallone on Unsplash

Day 14: Girona → Barcelona (105 km)

The final stretch! A stage full of emotion, along the Catalan coast, for the grand arrival in Barcelona, one week before the start of the Tour de France.

Aerial photo of Barcelona

Photo by Logan Armstrong on Unsplash