2024 Tour de France Ends Not in Paris
The 2024 edition of the Tour de France breaks a long-held pattern by finishing elsewhere. Months earlier the French government asked for the Champs-Élysées to be closed for safety and logistical reasons since the Olympic Games would begin just five days after the end of the French round. Unlike prior years, the finale carries an extra layer of Olympic relevance and a street‑level vibe that influences the whole event.
News of the change came first from La Gazzetta dello Sport on a Wednesday and was later confirmed by El Periòdic de Catalunya on Thursday, with confirmations echoed by multiple French outlets within the Prensa Ibérica group. The chosen city to host the Tour’s final stage in 2024 reflects a shift toward an August finish. The adjustment aligns with post‑pandemic scheduling patterns and the famed Promenade des Anglais, where Paris‑Nice ends and the early stages of the French round began in 2020.
Saint-Denis’ challenges
The decision to move the finish was made well before recent security incidents when a large group of Liverpool supporters tried to enter the Stade Saint‑Germain during a Champions League final. That episode led to tighter police presence and stronger safety measures. In light of these concerns, French authorities chose to shift the Tour’s final stage to the Côte d’Azur, recognizing the Tour as the world’s most watched annual cycling race. Since the race began in 1903, it has paused during major wars but otherwise finished in Paris.
Eiffel Tower
The 2024 Tour starts on Saturday, June 29 and ends on Sunday, July 21, five days before the Olympic opening ceremonies in Paris. The city center will see traffic restrictions as urban sites prepare to host a large portion of the Olympic events, with venues spread across key locations and landmarks around Paris. Sports facilities, football arenas, and gymnasiums will be prominent in the Olympic plan.
Roughly speaking, spectators may watch the Tour with the Olympics in mind, and the closing ceremonies could align with a route near the Eiffel Tower, potentially causing street closures in central Paris. Teams may stay in France after the Grande Boucle finishes as part of their arrangements.
Departure from Florence
The Tour also features Florence as a starting point for 2024. Italian stages honor cycling legends from Alpine history. Figures such as Ottavio Bottecchia, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, and Marco Pantani are highlighted within the narrative surrounding the race’s Italian chapters. French outlets confirmed this shared heritage.
Historical notes include a notable win by Bernard Thévenet on a July day in 1975 along the Champs Élysées, a moment that marked a tradition of celebrations at Parisian venues like Parc des Princes. Legends such as Federico Bahamontes and Luis Ocana are also part of the Tour’s storied past.
In 2023 the Tour began in Bilbao, weaving through three stages in the Basque Country before crossing into France. This year features a 22‑day schedule with start points in Copenhagen, yet the finish remains tied to the Champs‑Élysées in Paris, preserving a cherished tradition while adapting to new logistical realities.
This 2024 Tour breaks a long-standing tradition by not finishing in Paris. Months earlier the French government asked for the Champs‑Élysées to be closed for safety and organizational reasons, since the Olympic Games would begin just five days after the end of the French round. Unlike previous editions, the event carries an added layer of street‑level significance and heightened Olympic context.
The news emerged from La Gazzetta dello Sport on a Wednesday and was later confirmed by El Periòdic de Catalunya on Thursday through multiple French outlets belonging to the Prensa Ibérica group. The city chosen to host the end of the Grande Boucle in 2024 has, in fact, seen a shift toward late August. The move aligns with the COVID‑19 era adjustments and the famous Promenade des Anglais, where Paris‑Nice (also organized by the Tour) ends and the first stage of the French round began back in 2020.
Saint-Denis’ challenges
The decision to relocate the finish was made well before recent security incidents when a large group of Liverpool supporters attempted to enter the Stade Saint‑Germain during a Champions League final. That episode prompted intensified police scrutiny and heightened safety measures. In light of these security considerations, French authorities opted to bring the Tour’s final stage to the Côte d’Azur, recognizing the Tour as the premier annual cycling race and one of the world’s most watched sports events. Since its inception in 1903, the race has occasionally paused during great wars, but otherwise finished in Paris.
Eiffel Tower
The 2024 Tour will commence on Saturday, June 29 and conclude on Sunday, July 21, five days before the Olympic curtain rises over Paris. The heart of the city will be closed to traffic as urban structures rise to host a substantial portion of the Olympic events, staged at key locations and monuments around Paris. Typical venues like sports centers, football stadiums, and gymnasiums will feature prominently in the Olympic plan.
It is anticipated that the Tour may be watched with the Olympics in mind, and the closing ceremonies could coincide with a route that passes near the Eiffel Tower, potentially leading to street closures in central Paris. Runners may stay in France after the Grande Boucle ends as part of the team’s arrangements.
Departure from Florence
The Tour also features Florence as a starting point for 2024. Italian stages pay homage to cycling legends from transalpine history. Ottavio Bottecchia, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, and Marco Pantani are highlighted in the narrative surrounding the race’s Italian chapters. French sources in the covered outlets confirmed this shared heritage.
Historical notes include a famous win by Bernard Thévenet on a July day in 1975 along the Champs Élysées, a moment that marked a tradition of concluding in Parisian venues like Parc des Princes for celebrations. Legendary riders such as Federico Bahamontes and Luis Ocana have also etched their names into the Tour’s varied past.
In 2023 the Tour began in Bilbao, traversing three stages through the Basque Country before crossing into France. This year features a 22‑day schedule with tests beginning in Copenhagen, yet the finish remains tied to the Champs‑Élysées in Paris, preserving a cherished tradition while embracing new logistical realities.