🎉 Tour de France 2025 Stage 21: Champs-Élysées, Champagne & Sprint Glory in Paris

The sun will set on Paris, and with it, the epic 2025 edition of the Tour de France. But this isn’t just any finale — Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France marks a golden moment: the 50th anniversary of the iconic finish on the Champs-Élysées. Since 1975, the cobbled boulevard has crowned legends, celebrated sprint kings, and toasted the maillot jaune in front of the Arc de Triomphe. On Sunday, July 27, 2025, the tradition continues — but with a modern twist.

Ah, Stage 21 — the grand finale, the celebration lap, and for sprinters, the final battlefield. While the GC battle’s usually a done deal by this point, this stage isn’t a lazy parade. It’s a stage steeped in pageantry, tradition, and pure, unfiltered speed.

In a move echoing the Paris 2024 Olympics, this year’s final stage deviates from the usual ceremonial spin. Riders will still begin with the champagne-soaked roll-out from Mantes-la-Ville, but the stakes rise with an unprecedented loop over Montmartre’s historic hilltop — three categorized climbs on the Butte itself. It’s a rare, sharp twist in the script of what’s usually a sprinter’s parade.

With a short 132.3 km flat stage laced with late punch, this finale could still sting. Whether it ends in a classic bunch sprint or chaos from the cobbles, the final stage of the 2025 Tour de France promises spectacle, strategy, and celebration — in the heart of the City of Light..

What Makes Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France So Iconic?

And make no mistake, this final stage is no mere formality. Once the neutral zone’s done, the pace ignites. The peloton snakes through the suburbs before hitting the legendary circuit laps around the Champs, where cobblestones, tight corners, and high-speed descents fuel one of cycling’s most iconic showdowns.

Expect top sprinters and classics specialists to throw the kitchen sink at this one. The coveted final stage win carries prestige equal to a Monument — and for the GC winner, it’s champagne and arm-raising glory under the evening Paris sky.

Why it matters:

• A final salute to the maillot jaune
• Glory for the day’s fastest finisher
• One last chance for teams without a stage win to salvage their Tour
• A perfect stage for spectators — city vibe, iconic monuments, and endless attacks

Tour de France 2025 Stage 21 Route Overview — From Mantes-la-Ville to Paris Glory

The final showdown of the Tour is traditionally flat, festive, and largely ceremonial — until it explodes into a high-speed sprint on the Champs-Élysées. But in 2025, Stage 21’s detailed route carries an extra bite. Yes, it begins as expected: a relaxed departure from Mantes-la-Ville, gently guiding the peloton along 132.3km of tarmac towards the heart of Paris. But don’t be fooled. Tucked into the tail end of this flat profile are three late-stage climbs that could tilt the script.

From the neutral roll-out, the race makes its way east via Bazemont and Chaville, ascending two Category 4 climbs — Côte de Bazemont and Côte du Pavé des Gardes — warm-ups for what’s to come. Riders then parade into central Paris, circling the Arc de Triomphe and tackling the traditional Champs-Élysées laps (Circuit 1).

Then comes Circuit 2 — and with it, a major twist. Riders detour north to Montmartre, tackling the Côte de la Butte Montmartre (1.1km at 5.9%) not once but three times. It’s the first time since the Tour’s inception that this legendary Parisian hill plays such a central role in the final stage — a nod to the wildly successful Paris 2024 Olympic road races, where half a million fans packed Montmartre’s streets.

Though officially a flat stage, the summary of Stage 21’s route reveals a final day laced with unpredictability: narrow roads, short climbs, and sharp corners — all before the last dash down the cobbled Champs.

Will a pure sprinter survive the bumps to battle it out? Or will a crafty Classics-style attacker steal glory on the most famous avenue in cycling?

Stage 21 Route Profile & Sector Analysis — The Final Parisian Showdown

On paper, Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France is labeled “flat,” but a closer look reveals it packs a surprising 1,100 metres of elevation gain — an unusual total for a finale normally dominated by champagne toasts and textbook sprints.

The opening stretch from Mantes-la-Ville offers gentle terrain — ideal for selfies, team photos, and soaking in the Champs-Élysées dream. But things shift around mid-stage. The riders face a series of short, punchy climbs, especially on the approach to Paris and during the Montmartre circuits. These urban ascents, tight corners, and cobbled sections could shake up the script for sprinters aiming for glory on the Stage 21 route profile.

Let’s break it down.

Stage 21 Route & Elevation Breakdown

Profile Stage 21 Tour de France 2025: Featuring steep ramps in Montmartre, the terrain suits punchy riders — especially those who’ve survived three grueling weeks and still have snap in their legs.

Stage 21 Detailed Route Breakdown – Sector by Sector

🚩 Sector 1: Mantes-la-Ville → Flins-sur-Seine (KM 0–25)

• Type: Flat, ceremonial roll-out
• Details:
  • Riders ease into the day with champagne toasts and team photo ops.
  • Classic start tradition — yellow jersey protected by teammates.
  • Wide roads, rolling tempo; no attacks until km 25.
• Notable towns: Magnanville, Épône, Aubergenville
• Strategic Notes: Calm sector, breakaway hopefuls eye positioning.

🏞️ Sector 2: Flins-sur-Seine → Bazemont (KM 25–42)

• Type: Slightly uphill terrain, first categorized climb
• Climb:
  • 🟢 Côte de Bazemont (Cat 4) – 1.4 km @ 5.6%
  • KOM Points: 1 for first over the top
• Details:
  • Small road, tree-lined — punchy but not decisive.
  • First real acceleration as breakaway attempts begin.
• Tactical Insight: A sprinter with legs might snatch KOM point for show.

🛤️ Sector 3: Maule → Meudon (KM 42–70)

• Type: Rolling terrain, second KOM
• Climb:
  • 🟢 Côte du Pavé des Gardes (Cat 4) – 0.5 km @ 6.5%
  • KOM Points: 1
• Route Features:
  • Historic climb near Paris with cobbled segments.
  • Fast technical descent into urban zones begins.
• Tactical Insight: GC teams remain tucked in; fastmen readying legs.

🏙️ Sector 4: Meudon → Boulogne-Billancourt → Montmartre Loops (KM 70–100)

• Type: Urban approach + NEW Olympic-inspired loop
• Highlight: First approach to Montmartre
• Climb:
  • 🟢 Côte de la Butte Montmartre (Cat 4) – 1.0 km @ 6.7%
  • Climbed three times (KM 74.8 / KM 83.2 / KM 91.5)
  • KOM Points: 3x climbs = 3 points possible
• Route Features:
  • Narrow uphill into cobbled Parisian climb
  • Eiffel Tower, Seine River crossings, and Champs glimpses
• Tactical Insight: Punchy riders can attack here; sprinters’ teams must work.

🎯 Sector 5: Montmartre → Champs-Élysées Circuit Entry (KM 100–107)

• Type: Transition
• Details:
  • Descend from Montmartre into the heart of Paris.
  • Cross the Seine, loop around Place de la Concorde.
• Strategic Notes: Teams organize for final laps. High pace resumes.

🔁 Sector 6: Paris Champs-Élysées Circuit – 6 Laps (KM 107–132.3)

• Lap Distance: ~4.2 km per lap
• Intermediate Sprint: At end of Lap 3 (~KM 119)
  • Points available: 20–1 pts scale
• Finish Sprint: End of Lap 6
  • Green jersey points: 30–2 scale
  • Bonus seconds: 10 / 6 / 4 for first three
• Iconic Features:
  • Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Tuileries, cobbled stretch on Rue de Rivoli
• Tactical Insight:
  • Sprint trains form, chaos ensues on final lap
  • GC contenders stay safe, lead-out specialists take over

🧭 Summary Table – Key Stage 21 Route Features

Major Climbs: Côte x3 & Montmartre Madness

For a so-called flat stage, Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France throws in more elevation than expected — and not just for flair. The final stage route of the Tour de France 2025 climbs into the heart of Paris with a trio of short, sharp ascents that will burn legs, disrupt rhythm, and maybe even dash sprint dreams.

The real twist? Riders will tackle the Côte de la Butte Montmartre three times. That’s right — three laps up Paris’s iconic hill, known more for artists and staircases than pelotons and power meters. It’s narrow, steep, and technical — a puncheur’s playground tucked into a finale where sprinters usually rule.

⛰️ Key Climbs of Stage 21

These aren’t HC monsters, but they’re not free passes either — especially not after 3,400 km of racing. Riders in the breakaway (if one forms), or punchy opportunists, might eye these climbs for late-stage glory, especially if the sprinters’ teams miscalculate on the Montmartre loops.

The Côte de la Butte Montmartre, in particular, is the star of this final act. Narrow approach roads, unpredictable crowd energy, and the psychological weight of racing past the Sacré-Cœur mean it could deliver a final shake-up — even before the sprint battle begins on the Champs-Élysées.

Tour de France Stage 21 Timings (Table)

The final stage of the 2025 Tour de France isn’t just a victory parade — it’s a timed dance through the heart of France’s capital. While the first half may carry the traditional celebratory air, once the peloton hits the Montmartre circuits and Champs-Élysées cobbles, it’s game on.

Below is the full Tour de France departure time for Stage 21, with projected passage windows for each key moment. Expect wide viewership and peak tension as the race weaves between pageantry and puncheur panic.

🕐 Stage 21 Schedule – Sunday, July 27, 2025

Intermediate Sprint & Points Competition

Where points, prestige, and Parisian cobbles collide.

Even though Stage 21 is traditionally a parade-turned-sprint, the points classification isn’t always over. On Sunday, July 27th, a total of 70 green jersey points are up for grabs — enough to shake up the standings if things are tight.

🟢 Points Breakdown Table

🎯 Sprint Scenarios

• If the green jersey is still in play, expect a mini sprint battle on Lap 3 before the all-out drag race to the Arc de Triomphe.
• If the lead is secure, the intermediate sprint might become a token effort — or a chance for breakaway glory hunters.
• Finish line bonuses may not affect GC, but could tempt a puncheur or wildcard to surprise the sprinters.

Final Stage Favorites – Who Wins in Paris?

The final day of the 2025 Tour de France isn’t just a celebration — it’s a battlefield for the sprinters. With a newly spiced route featuring Montmartre climbs, Stage 21 favorites will need both speed and staying power to survive before the traditional eight-lap showdown on the Champs-Élysées.

💥 Top Favorites to Watch

🧠 Tactics: Not Your Classic Champs Day

Traditionally, Stage 21 was a long procession followed by a flat-out sprint on the cobbles of Paris. Not this year.

• Montmartre x3 (Cat 4) at 3.5 km @ 6.3% will shake out pure sprinters early.
• Expect teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck, Lotto-Dstny, and Intermarché to gamble — send helpers up the road, or thin the group before the laps begin.
• GC riders? Locked. They’ll be watching, not racing, unless disaster strikes.

🎯 Who Takes It?

It’s all about who survives Montmartre with a team intact and then hits warp speed down the Champs. Expect a smaller, elite bunch sprint — possibly even a late flyer if the sprint trains hesitate.

 Local Atmosphere & Fan Culture — Paris Turns into Cycling’s Colosseum

When it comes to the Tour de France 2025 Stage 21 Route, Paris isn’t just a finish line — it’s a ritual. A tradition older than most teams on the road today, where cycling legends write their final verse of the year. And believe me, buddy, it’s an experience that hits different.

🇫🇷 From Early Morning Café Cheers to Sunset Sprints

The city wakes up electric on Sunday, July 27th. By 7 AM, cafés in Mantes-la-Ville are bustling with fans downing espressos, swapping predictions, and admiring sleek team buses parked nearby.

As the peloton makes its stately way toward Paris, the atmosphere simmers. The closer you get to the capital, the louder the hum. Locals lean out of apartment windows, waving tricolor flags, while pubs along the route pull out their speakers, blasting race commentary over the streets.

 The Champs-Élysées: Cycling’s Sacred Arena

By midday, the Champs-Élysées is a living, breathing amphitheater. Tens of thousands line both sides, elbows out, phones raised. Fans claim their spot by noon, armed with baguettes, chilled rosé, and banners painted the night before.

Key viewing hotspots:

• The top of the Champs near the Arc de Triomphe (for the finish line surge)
• Place de la Concorde for dramatic sprint lead-outs
• Rue de Rivoli where you can literally hear carbon wheels skimming cobbles

By lap four, it’s full chaos in the best way — vuvuzelas blaring, chants erupting every time a French rider pulls a move, and collective gasps when the sprinters crank it up.

Traditions & Local Quirks

• French TV personalities broadcast live with mock cycling races on toy bikes.
• Parisians compete for the most creative fan costumes — think Napoleon outfits, Eiffel Tower hats, or life-sized bikes made of baguettes.
• Fan clubs from Brittany and Normandy always claim one corner by the barriers.

🍻 Post-Finish Revelry

The party doesn’t end at the line. The bars and brasseries of Rue Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme flood with fans, riders’ families, and locals well into the night. Clinking glasses, rewatching replays, and debating next year’s GC favorites over craft beers.

💬 “If you haven’t lost your voice by sundown, were you even in Paris for the Tour?”

📸 2025 Expected Turnout

• Estimated crowd: 600,000+
• Fan zones: Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro, Place de la Concorde
• Roadside parties: From Boulogne-Billancourt to Pont de l’Alma

Food & Drink Pairing: Parisian Finale

As the peloton cruises into Paris, the tradition isn’t just athletic — it’s culinary. The final stage route of the Tour de France 2025 may conclude on the historic Champs-Élysées, but behind the scenes, there’s another celebration unfolding: a feast for the senses.

🧺 The Parisian Picnic, Tour-Style

• 🥐 Croissants & Macarons: Light, flaky, and quintessentially French. Riders often indulge in a post-race sweet or pastry before heading to the podium.
• 🧀 Brie de Meaux: This creamy, luxurious cheese hails from the Paris region and is a soft favorite in any celebratory spread.
• 🥂 Moët et Chandon Champagne: Poured and sipped on the bikes during the final procession — an iconic Tour tradition. Riders toast to three weeks of triumph, survival, and camaraderie.

🎉 Tradition, Toasts & Triumph

The Tour de France 2025 Stage 21 isn’t just the end of a race. It’s the 50th Champs-Élysées finish, a rolling tribute to endurance, elegance, and everything that makes the Tour magical. Team photos, champagne toasts, and emotional embraces define the final kilometers. For fans and riders alike, it’s part race, part royal parade.

So grab a glass, nibble a macaron, and toast along with the peloton — Paris is always a good idea, especially when it marks the finish line of cycling’s greatest journey.

👁️‍🗨️ Visual Highlights Along the Route

Where the world’s most beautiful race meets the world’s most beautiful city.

Stage 21 of the July 27, 2025, is more than just a final parade — it’s a cinematic journey through French history, architecture, and national pride. From royal châteaux to iconic Parisian boulevards, this final stage delivers a visual masterpiece that elevates the Tour de France beyond sport.

🏰 Mantes-la-Ville to Versailles

The riders depart from the elegant Mantes-la-Ville, quickly weaving through the countryside before passing the gates of Versailles — a royal nod to France’s grandeur. Cameras will linger on the Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect backdrop for the early kilometers.

🗼 Parisian Postcard Moments

As the peloton rolls into Paris, the Montmartre loop becomes a historic twist in the tale:

• Côte de la Butte Montmartre x3 – A cobbled climb lined with art, tourists, and Parisian cafés.
• Sacre-Cœur Basilica rises in the background as riders climb through bohemian alleys.

The visual feast continues:

• A sweep past the Seine River
• Dramatic shots of the Eiffel Tower
• Grand arrival onto the Champs-Élysées, where eight laps showcase the Arc de Triomphe, historic monuments, and packed crowds.

🎆 A Visual Victory Lap

This is not just the Stage 21 route of the Sun 27th — it’s a final celebration of France’s culture, beauty, and spirit. As the golden light of a July evening hits the cobbles, and the sprinters open up for glory, the eyes of the world will drink in every frame.

Tour History of Mantes-la-Ville & Paris Finale

While Mantes-la-Ville isn’t the first name that jumps to mind when you hear Tour de France, it’s no stranger to the peloton. Tucked in the Yvelines département, this town has regularly hosted the start of Paris-Nice stages and Paris-Roubaix qualifiers.

Historic Note:

• 1960s–1980s: Mantes-la-Ville was a key time-check town for riders approaching the capital, especially in editions where stages skirted west of Paris.
• 2021 Tour de France: The final stage also rolled out from nearby Mantes-la-Jolie — practically its twin town.

🗝️ Local Legend:
Old-timers at Café des Sports still tell tales of Bernard Hinault’s reconnaissance rides here in the ’80s, testing final-day setups before title-defining Champs-Élysées sprints.

🥂 Paris Champs-Élysées: The Most Famous 7km Loop in Cycling

If the Tour de France were a cathedral, the Champs-Élysées would be its altar. Since 1975, when the final stage finish moved permanently to the Champs, this stretch has seen some of cycling’s most unforgettable moments.

🥇 Iconic Finishers:

• Bernard Hinault (1979, 1981, 1982, 1985): Crowned here, complete with hard-fought sprints and bloodied jerseys.
• Mark Cavendish (2009–2012, 2016, 2021): The undisputed King of the Champs — 5 wins on this final stage alone.
• Wout van Aert (2022): Outsprinted the sprinters in a stunning show of raw power.

🎥 Historic First:
In 1975, the inaugural Champs finish was broadcast live in full for the first time on French TV, instantly becoming a national event watched by millions.

🎇 Notable Champs-Élysées Moments:

• 1989: The closest Tour in history. Greg LeMond snatches yellow by just 8 seconds over Laurent Fignon in the final-stage time trial. Heartbreak on the cobbles.
• 1991: Miguel Indurain rides in the yellow jersey for the first of his five consecutive titles.
• 2019: Egan Bernal, the youngest post-war winner, lifts the Colombian flag over Paris.

🍾 Parisian Finale Traditions:

Since the ’80s:

• The final stage is a ceremonial ride until the peloton hits Paris city limits.
• Leaders toast with champagne flutes while photographers hang out of team cars capturing those priceless shots.

Since 1993:

• The tradition of 8 laps on the Champs became official, with small tweaks to the circuit over time but always ending under the gaze of the Arc de Triomphe.

🖼️ Cultural Impact:

The final stage is so iconic that in 2003, on the Tour’s 100th anniversary, French artist Philippe Cognée painted an abstract of the peloton circling the Arc — now hanging in the Musée National du Sport in Nice.

🌤️ Weather, Crowds & Local Factors

Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France will be more than a victory lap — it’s shaping up to be an electrifying summer spectacle in the heart of Paris. And with the Olympics just days away, the streets won’t just be packed — they’ll be pulsing with energy.

☀️ Weather: Summer Heat Meets Montmartre Breezes

Expect classic late-July conditions:

• Temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)
• Skies: Mostly sunny, with a slight chance of afternoon cumulus clouds
• Winds: Light northeasterlies may pick up near Montmartre’s summit — enough to sting tired legs but unlikely to split the bunch

Heat radiating off the Parisian pavé could make the final laps on the Champs-Élysées feel steamy, especially with champagne already coursing through veins and victory in sight.

🎉 Crowd Alert: Capital-Sized Chaos

This isn’t just any finish — it’s the 50th anniversary of the Champs-Élysées finale, and the prelude to the Paris 2025 Olympic Games.

• Expect massive turnout at Sacré-Cœur, where fans will pack the staircases and cafés to watch the riders scale Montmartre three times.
• The Champs-Élysées, always packed elbow-to-elbow, will feel even more alive with Olympic colors and international fans pouring into the city.

From the cobbles to the skyline, this isn’t just a race — it’s Paris putting on a show.

We’ve gathered the most common fan and search questions to help you stay fully clued in for the 21st stage of the Tour de France 2025 — the grand finale in Paris. 🎉

The Curtain Closes in Paris

Fifty years of Champs-Élysées finishes — and somehow, it never gets old.

Stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France gave us more than just a sprint. It gave us a Parisian masterpiece, reimagined with the punch of Montmartre, Olympic energy buzzing in the air, and history echoing across cobbled laps. Champagne flowed, fans filled every café terrace, and legends rode shoulder to shoulder on the sport’s most sacred avenue.

This wasn’t just the final stage of the 2025 Tour de France — it was a love letter to cycling, to Paris, and to the endurance of tradition evolving with time. From the Côte de Bazemont to the sunset burst down the Champs, Stage 21 reminded us why we wait all year for this race.

🔮 Looking Ahead to 2026

As the curtain falls in Paris, the wheels already begin to turn for next year’s grand départ. Will the route shake up the GC hierarchy again? Will a new sprinter rise to rule the cobbles? One thing’s for sure: La Grande Boucle never sleeps.

So here’s to the heroes, the heartbreak, and the honor of the yellow jersey.
Santé to the Champs! 🥂