On July 27, 2025, Paris will host the prestigious conclusion of the Tour de France with the traditional final stage on the Champs-Élysées, marking the end of three weeks of racing and 21 stages across France. The route starts from Mantes-la-Ville with a flat stage of about 120 km, heading toward the capital and passing through Montmartre, which the riders will climb three times to make the race more exciting - an addition to the tradition meant to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the race’s arrival on the avenue in 1975. Traditionally, during the early part of the stage, the leaders of the various classifications ride at a festive pace, taking photos and toasting with champagne, in what has become a well established ritual. The competition intensifies on the final circuit along the Champs-Élysées, where sprinters battle it out over roughly six to eight laps around the Arc de Triomphe - an international stage that has crowned specialists such as Mark Cavendish, record winner on this stretch, and legends like Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond, who in some cases also secured overall victory in the final stage. The leader of the general classification, who by this point has essentially sealed the win, wears the yellow jersey and is celebrated on the podium at the end of the circuit, when the final victory is made official. Historically, exceptions have been rare: in 1979 Bernard Hinault, and in 1989 Greg LeMond, claimed the yellow jersey in the final stage - LeMond doing so in a time trial ending right on the Champs-Élysées. This year, the stage retains its global appeal, with the added challenge of Parisian climbs that could add tension before the final celebration. Past champions who have made history on this stage include Walter Godefroot, the first winner at the finish line in 1975, Bernard Hinault, who won it twice, and Greg LeMond, the first American to wear the yellow jersey on the Champs-Élysées. Finally, sprinting phenomenon Mark Cavendish stands out with four victories on this iconic finish, cementing his place as a global reference in sprint cycling. The arrival of the Tour de France in Paris is not just a race among riders, but a global event that brings together the public, history, and sporting spectacle under the world’s spotlight.
