This time, it’s official. Candidates since last winter and competing with Luxembourg, the City of Reims and the Grand Est have been chosen by ASO to host the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2028. Nearly ten years after its last visit, the Tour and its caravan will return to the city of Sacres during the last week of June 2028, with sports, popular festivities, and a sense of duty to remember.
The bicycles will be rolling through Champagne in 2028. The City of Reims will indeed launch the 2028 Tour de France. The announcement, eagerly awaited for several months, was officially made with great pomp on Monday on the forecourt of the Reims Cathedral. Symbolizing a Grand Depart that could start from Notre-Dame on June 24, 2028 (date advanced due to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics). Supported by the Grand Est with the City of Reims, the “Champagne Grand Est” candidacy was preferred over that of Luxembourg. A decision affirmed by the event director, Christian Prudhomme. “For a grand depart, a place that shines and resonates globally is required,” reminded Christian Prudhomme, Tour director. “Reims and Champagne are synonymous with celebration and boast historical, iconic, and cultural sites.”
Nevertheless, Luxembourg will not be left behind. As they celebrate the centenary of Nicolas Frantz’s victory (1928) and the 60th anniversary of Charly Gaul’s success (1958), the Tour de France 2028 will also pass through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg after crossing the departments of Champagne. However, Reims will be the official starting point. This event extends the history of Reims with the Tour de France. The city of Sacres had previously hosted the Grand Boucle during a Grand Depart on July 5, 1956. Two years later, Reims organized the first women’s world cycling championship. More recently, Reims welcomed the male peloton at the finish in 2014 and the start in 2019. Reims was also the starting city for the women’s Tour de France in 2022, launching from the Halles du Boulingrin.
4 Stages in the Grand Est
This time, the residents of Reims will not only witness a simple departure. Before the start of the first stage, various activities will be organized over several days beforehand. With the participation of cycling clubs, schools, and local stakeholders, Reims will offer a great celebration of cycling, in addition to traditional press conferences and the official team presentation, likely on Friday, June 23, 2028.
Similar to the Grand Depart in 2025 in Lille, Reims could potentially be both the starting and finishing city of the first stage on Saturday, June 24, 2028. This assumption has not yet been confirmed. Only the stage cities (Reims, Epernay, Charleville, Verdun, Metz, and Thionville) have been announced without details of the stages. However, considering the balance between sports competition and historical routes, a second stage between Reims and Epernay to celebrate the Champagne vineyards could be envisioned. Another stage could link Charleville to Verdun, amidst lands scarred by the First World War 110 years ago.
A grand sporting and popular celebration that should provide a great tourism platform for Reims and the region. Although the investment (shared among local authorities) is significant (around 4 million euros), Reims and the Grand Est are anticipating returns of up to 15 million euros (in comparison with the revenue generated by Hauts-de-France in 2025).
Co-written with Laura LALUC
