Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has hinted that future editions of the race may not always conclude on the Champs-Élysées, following the success of the 2024 finish in Nice. The one-off Grand Arrivée on the Côte d’Azur last year, introduced due to the logistical demands of the Paris Olympic Games, could now be a sign of things to come.
While this year’s race returns to Paris for its final stage, Prudhomme acknowledged that the 2024 detour might not be a one-off. “The arrival in Nice, outside of Paris, won’t be unique,” he said during an interview in the Pyrenees. He described the 2024 edition as a success and added that organisers were “delighted with Nice,” suggesting ASO is open to future finales beyond the capital.
That said, he stressed the symbolic and logistical importance of Paris, calling the city “crucial” to the identity of the Tour. The finish on the Champs-Élysées has been a fixture since 1975, but political and urban pressures, including upcoming municipal elections and changes in city leadership, could open the door for change.
“There are tons of factors that are taken into account,” Prudhomme explained. “You can’t get angry, and we certainly don’t want to fall out with the Mayor of Paris.” With Anne Hidalgo stepping down in 2026, ASO will need to form a new working relationship with Paris’ next administration, which may shape how and where future editions of the race end.
While Prudhomme confirmed there had been another city in the running to host the 2024 finale, he declined to name it. But his openness to alternatives makes clear that other French cities are increasingly in play, especially for anniversary editions or years where Paris presents logistical difficulties.
Photo Credit: GettyDespite discussions within the organisation about more radical change, Prudhomme dismissed the idea of hosting the final stage outside of France. “For me, the Tour should finish in France,” he said. “Always.” His comments contrast with those of Tour route designer Thierry Gouvenou, who recently floated the idea of a finish in the United States, though he admitted the logistical challenges would be immense.
For Prudhomme, aesthetic and sporting considerations take precedence over financial gain. “The question of money is never the first question,” he said. “It’s about doing things that are beautiful and please people. Then the money comes.” He cited a line from Bernard Hinault: “If you want to win money, you won’t win any races. But if you win races, you will win money.”
This year’s stage 21, while returning to its traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées, features a twist. Riders will tackle three laps of the Montmartre climb before descending to the cobbles of Rue de Rivoli. Prudhomme explained that the decision to include Montmartre was inspired by the Paris Olympics, where the hill featured prominently in the men’s and women’s road races.
“It worked out well to return to Paris for the 50th anniversary of the first finish on the Champs-Élysées,” he said. “That was just chance, but a good one.” He added that Montmartre created a stronger visual impact for fans and viewers, compared to the shaded boulevards of central Paris: “The Champs-Élysées is splendid, but the people are under the trees. On Rue Lepic in Montmartre, you can see the mass.”
For now, the Champs-Élysées remains the Tour’s iconic home. But with Nice setting a new precedent and Prudhomme’s comments confirming internal discussions, the door is open for a more flexible, and perhaps more dramatic, end to future editions of the Tour de France.
