A new chapter begins. Already in the sepia-colored days of 1913, Geneva became the second foreign city to host the Tour de France, since Metz, which had been a stage finish location in 1907 and 1910, was at the time German territory. Belgian Marcel Buysse won the first of ten stage finishes in the city, including one in 1951 that went to Swiss champion Hugo Koblet, who won the yellow jersey.

Lausanne had to wait until 1948 to host the Grande Boucle, but the Olympic city has been a protagonist of the race six times, most recently when Wout van Aert triumphed in 2022. While the green jersey was flying towards glory, behind the scenes another decisive moment was unfolding, with Lausanne presenting its bid to host the start of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which was evolving into its current form. The dream will come true in the summer of 2026, when the fifth edition begins.

Switzerland will provide the backdrop for three stages. The profile of the loop around Lausanne, which has a point suitable for attackers at the end, should attract the main contenders. The terrain is a natural choice for Marlen Reuser and Elise Chabbey, the two most important women in the Swiss cycling scene, unless Noémie Rüegg, the current national champion, beats them to it on home soil. In any case, they would do well to seize the opportunity, given that the next stage, a 150 km journey from Aigle, home of the UCI, to Geneva, is marked "sprint finish". Last but not least, the third stage will start from Geneva and head towards the French border and a destination to be announced later.

The three days of the 2026 Grand Départ:

Saturday, August 1st, 1st stage: Lausanne > Lausanne, finish at Place Saint-François.

Sunday, August 2nd, 2nd stage: Aigle > Geneva, passing near the headquarters of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the World Cycling Centre (WCC).

Monday, August 3rd, Stage 3: Departure from Geneva.