When it comes to ranking the best Tour de France parcours of the past decade, it’s tempting to focus solely on the drama that unfolded on the road. But personally, I think the route itself is a character in this story—one that can either elevate the race or leave it feeling flat. Let’s dive into the last ten years and dissect what made certain routes shine, while others fell short, all while adding my own commentary and analysis along the way.
2020: The Pandemic-Defying Masterpiece
What makes this particularly fascinating is how the 2020 route managed to preserve its original design despite the pandemic. In my opinion, this parcours was a love letter to French cycling, with stages seemingly carved out for Julian Alaphilippe and Thibaut Pinot. The punchy Grand Départ in Nice, the return of forgotten climbs like Orcières-Merlette and Mont Aigoual, and the debut of the Col de la Loze all added up to a daring and well-balanced route. One thing that immediately stands out is the mountain time-trial finale—a bold move that delivered high drama, even if it didn’t crown the local hero Pinot. What this really suggests is that a great route doesn’t just test riders; it tells a story, and 2020 did that brilliantly.
2023: A Climber’s Paradise
From my perspective, the 2023 route was a climber’s dream, with 56,000 meters of elevation gain and eight mountain stages. The Grand Départ in the Basque Country set the tone early, and the return of Puy de Dome was a gamble that paid off. What many people don’t realize is how well the middle week was designed, with punchy stages through the Massif Central keeping the momentum alive. The final week, with its brutal queen stage to Courchevel, sustained tension until the end. However, I think the route’s focus on climbing left other specialists in the dust, making it a bit one-dimensional. If you take a step back and think about it, this route was a double-edged sword—spectacular for the GC battle but less so for the rest of the peloton.
2022: The Safe Bet That Paid Off
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the 2022 route managed to feel both traditional and innovative. The return to the pavé on Stage 5 and the sharp uphill challenges in the opening week set the stage for thrilling battles. The mountain stages were spread out, giving riders breathing room, and the inclusion of iconic climbs like the Col du Granon and Alpe d’Huez ensured fan favorites. What this really suggests is that sometimes, a safe route can still deliver fireworks. In my opinion, this was a well-balanced parcours that gave every type of rider a chance to shine.
2019: The Genesis of Modern Tours
One thing that immediately stands out about the 2019 route is its homage to Eddy Merckx and its mix of terrain. The Grand Départ in Brussels, the gravelled annex to Planche des Belles Filles, and the Pyrenean stages all felt like a shift toward the Grand Tours of the 2020s. What many people don’t realize is how this route laid the groundwork for fewer time-trials, punchy finales, and gravel cameos. Personally, I think this was a turning point in Tour de France design—a route that balanced tradition with experimentation.
2024: Too Much of a Good Thing
If you take a step back and think about it, the 2024 route was a victim of its own ambition. Seven mountain stages, six summit finishes—it was all too much. By the time the race reached the final week, everyone seemed exhausted. What this really suggests is that even the most exciting features can lose their luster when overused. In my opinion, the route’s potential was undermined by Pogačar’s dominance, which turned what could have been a closely contested GC race into a procession.
2021: A Week One Wonder
What makes this particularly fascinating is how the 2021 route’s first week was a masterclass in design, with punchy finales, a time-trial, and a Classics-like stage to Le Creuset. However, the second week fell flat, with few opportunities for GC gaps. The double dose of Mont Ventoux felt like a missed opportunity, given its downhill finish. From my perspective, this route was a tale of two halves—brilliant in the beginning, but lacking in the end.
2018: Innovation Gone Wrong
One thing that immediately stands out about the 2018 route is its attempt to break the mold with bonus second sprints, a grid-start, and a cobbled stage. While I admire the ambition, I think these innovations felt more farcical than sensible. The GC battle was put on hold until the second week, and the final mountain stage ended with an underwhelming descent. What this really suggests is that innovation for the sake of innovation doesn’t always work. In my opinion, this route tried too hard to be different and lost its way.
2025: Overambition Backfires
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the 2025 route tried to cater to both Classics men and climbers, but ended up satisfying neither. The punchy finales in the opening week were great for Pogačar and Van der Poel, but the GC battle didn’t heat up until week two. The final week felt underwhelming, with a queen stage that scared riders into submission. What many people don’t realize is that overambition can lead to imbalance. Personally, I think this route tried to do too much and ended up falling short.
2026: A Lackluster Preview
If you take a step back and think about it, the 2026 route feels like a missed opportunity. The Grand Départ in Barcelona lacks imagination, and the opening mountain stage seems premature. The sprint stages between GC stages create a lull, and the final week’s iconic summit finishes are let down by poor build-up. What this really suggests is that a route needs more than just big names to succeed. In my opinion, this parcours lacks the pizzazz to truly excite.
2017: The Forgotten Route
What makes this particularly fascinating is how quickly the 2017 route has been forgotten. With too many sprint stages and not enough summit finishes, it failed to create serious gaps. The downhill finishes and lack of GC battles made it feel underwhelming. From my perspective, this route is a reminder that a Tour de France needs more than just stages—it needs moments. And 2017 simply didn’t deliver enough of them.
Final Thoughts
Ranking these routes isn’t just about the stages; it’s about the stories they tell and the battles they inspire. The best parcours strike a balance between tradition and innovation, challenge and spectacle. Personally, I think the 2020 route stands out as a masterpiece, but every year offers lessons for the future. What this really suggests is that the Tour de France is as much about the route as it is about the riders—and getting that balance right is an art.
