The route for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was officially unveiled in Paris on Thursday, October 22, revealing a challenging nine-stage race that will take the world’s best female cyclists from Leeds to the summit of one of France’s most iconic climbs.
Scheduled for July 30 to August 7, the sixth edition will cover 1,156 kilometres and feature approximately 17,665 metres of elevation gain. The organisers have combined an ambitious British Grand Départ with a historic team time trial in London, opportunities for sprinters and Classics specialists, and three demanding final stages in the Massif Central.
Perhaps the most significant feature is the decision to conclude the race with its toughest stage. Unlike the traditional celebratory finale of the men’s Tour de France, the women’s race will finish with a decisive mountain-top battle, ensuring that the yellow jersey remains vulnerable until the very end.
A British Grand Départ with plenty of challenges
For the first time, the Tour de France Femmes will begin in Great Britain, with three stages taking riders from Yorkshire to London.
The opening stage on July 30 covers approximately 86 kilometres between Leeds and Manchester. Although the relatively short distance could favour the sprinters, the route includes several categorised climbs across the Pennines, offering opportunities for attacks and an unpredictable contest for the first yellow jersey.
Stage 2, from Manchester to Sheffield, presents a considerably more demanding challenge. Covering 154 kilometres and featuring nearly 3,000 metres of climbing, the route crosses the Peak District and includes famous ascents such as Winnats Pass and Snake Pass.
With seven categorised climbs and a succession of short, steep efforts towards Sheffield, the stage could produce the first meaningful differences among the general classification contenders.
The opening weekend also carries considerable historical significance. Leeds hosted the men’s Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014, while Yorkshire has a rich women’s cycling heritage, including its association with British legends Beryl Burton and Lizzie Deignan.
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London hosts a historic team time trial
One of the most interesting additions to the 2027 route is the first team time trial in the history of the modern Tour de France Femmes.
Stage 3 will see teams race over an 18-kilometre course through central London on August 1, finishing on The Mall.
While the distance is relatively short, the discipline introduces an important tactical dimension to the race.
Unlike an individual time trial, where each rider relies on her own performance, a team time trial requires precise coordination, aerodynamic efficiency and the ability to maintain a consistently high pace as a group.
The strongest teams could gain valuable seconds on their rivals, potentially influencing the general classification before the peloton even reaches France.
For the leading contenders, team selection and preparation will therefore be particularly important. A strong climbing leader supported by an effective time trial squad could enter the decisive mountain stages with a useful advantage.
The London stage also offers an opportunity to showcase women’s professional cycling in one of Europe’s most recognisable sporting settings.
Opportunities for sprinters and attackers in France
Following the British opening, the race continues in northern France with three stages offering a variety of opportunities.
Stage 4 takes the peloton 123 kilometres from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage to Calais, following roads near the Channel coast. The exposed terrain could make wind an important factor, while the rolling finale offers possibilities for both sprinters and attacking riders.
The following day, the 161-kilometre stage from Neufchâtel-en-Bray to Magnanville includes a demanding finale that could favour powerful Classics specialists.
Stage 6, from Orléans to Bourges, provides one of the clearest opportunities for a conventional bunch sprint.
However, these stages are unlikely to be straightforward transitions towards the mountains. Crosswinds, positioning and repeated changes of pace could all influence the general classification.
The route also offers relatively few uncomplicated sprint opportunities, making each suitable stage particularly valuable for the fastest riders.
Three demanding days in the Massif Central
The final three stages represent the greatest challenge of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes.
Stage 7 introduces the first mountain-top finish at La Loge des Gardes. The concluding climb measures 6.7 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.1%, providing an opportunity for the leading climbers to test their rivals.
Stage 8 takes riders 151 kilometres from La Bourboule to Clermont-Ferrand, featuring six categorised climbs and approximately 3,000 metres of elevation gain.
Although the stage does not finish at altitude, the succession of climbs and technical terrain could encourage aggressive racing. Riders will also need to consider the considerable challenge awaiting them the following day.
The final stage, from Clermont-Ferrand to the Puy de Dôme, is undoubtedly the highlight of the route.
At 170 kilometres, it is the longest stage of the race and features approximately 3,800 metres of climbing. Eight categorised ascents precede the finish, including the final 11.3-kilometre climb of the Puy de Dôme, averaging 7.8%.
The volcanic summit holds a special place in Tour de France history, famously providing the setting for the battle between Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor in 1964. After a 35-year absence, it returned to the men’s race in 2023, when Michael Woods claimed an impressive stage victory.
In 2027, the women’s peloton will tackle the climb in the Tour de France Femmes for the first time.
With the most demanding stage coming on the final day, the overall winner may only emerge in the closing kilometres.
Can Demi Vollering defend her title?
The newly announced route appears particularly well suited to riders who combine strong climbing ability with consistency across varied terrain.
Defending champion Demi Vollering, who secured her second Tour de France Femmes title in 2026, will inevitably be among the leading contenders.
The Dutch rider has demonstrated exceptional ability on sustained climbs, while her versatility makes her a formidable competitor across the different types of stages included in the 2027 route.
Our We Love Cycling expert Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 2024 champion, should also find opportunities to exploit her aggressive racing style, particularly on the shorter climbs and demanding transitional stages.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who won the Tour in 2025, will be another rider to watch. The French star’s climbing ability and experience could make her a major contender, particularly with the race finishing on home soil at such a celebrated location.
Marlen Reusser and Elisa Longo Borghini are among the other established names capable of influencing the race, while the continuing emergence of younger riders could add further unpredictability.
The introduction of the team time trial will also make collective strength an important consideration. Teams will have to balance the demands of supporting their leaders in the mountains with the need to perform effectively against the clock.
A route designed for a dramatic conclusion
The 2027 Tour de France Femmes represents another ambitious step in the development of the event.
From the historic British opening and London’s first team time trial to the demanding stages of the Massif Central, the organisers have created a route that rewards versatility, tactical awareness and endurance.
The decision to concentrate the toughest climbing in the final three days is especially significant. It provides opportunities for the general classification to change repeatedly and could encourage riders to take greater risks as the finish approaches.
After the success of previous editions, the Tour de France Femmes continues to establish its own identity, combining iconic cycling locations with innovative route design.
And with the yellow jersey set to be decided on the slopes of the Puy de Dôme, the 2027 edition already has the ingredients for a memorable finale.