Saturday 11 July 2026 · Stage 8 · Périgueux → Bergerac · 182 km. A fully Périgord stage, designed for the sprinters.
It does not happen often, and when it does, the Périgord vibrates with a singular excitement. On 11 July 2026, the Grande Boucle crosses the Dordogne from end to end, offering the world a living postcard of some of France's most beautiful landscapes. From the limestone cliffs of the Vézère valley to the vineyards above Bergerac, by way of medieval Sarlat and the sweeping bends of the Dordogne river, this 8th stage is designed for the sprinters and for the spectators alike. Here is everything you need to know to choose your spot and make the most of an extraordinary day.
The route, stop by stop
With 182 kilometres and only 1,150 metres of total climbing, this flat stage features two modest climbs that could animate the race before a mass sprint finish at Bergerac.
- Périgueux — Start, allées de Tourny
- Montignac-Lascaux — Vézère Valley, UNESCO World Heritage
- Les Eyzies — World capital of prehistory
- Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère · Peyzac-le-Moustier · Tursac
- Sarlat-la-Canéda — Medieval city
- Domme — Climb 1, panorama over the Dordogne
- Siorac-en-Périgord
- Le Buisson-de-Cadouin — Climb 2
- Lalinde · Port-de-Couze
- Mouleydier · Creysse
- Bergerac — Finish, near the poudrerie
Did you know? The Dordogne department has committed 500,000 euros to resurfacing the roads along the route before the peloton arrives. The tarmac will be immaculate, the views magnificent.
A long-standing love affair between Périgueux, Bergerac and the Tour
In 2026, Périgueux and Bergerac will host the Tour for the fifth time in their history. The connection runs deep in cycling legend: it was in Périgueux that Jacques Anquetil produced a stunning time trial performance in 1961, extending his lead over Charly Gaul by nearly three minutes. It was on the same road in reverse, between Périgueux and Bergerac, that Miguel Indurain pulled on the Yellow Jersey in 1994. When the stage last came to the Dordogne in 2017, it drew one of the most-watched television audiences of that year's edition.
In 2026, the landscapes of Périgord will once again be broadcast to a worldwide audience of millions.
Where to watch: our four best spots
Four prime spots to experience the day, from start to finish.
Spot 1 — The start village in Périgueux
Allées de Tourny · Périgueux
This is where it all begins. Before the flag drops, the riders sign the start sheet and the publicity caravan sets off in a festival atmosphere. The start village, likely set up along the allées de Tourny, is the best place to get close to the cyclists, photograph the teams and soak up the pre-race energy before the day's drama unfolds on the road.
Tip: arrive early. The start village opens several hours before the official departure. It is often here, away from the finish-line crowds, that the most unexpected memories are made.
Spot 2 — The Vézère cliffs between Les Eyzies and Montignac
Vézère Valley · UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Vézère Valley is one of the most spectacular backdrops the Tour has to offer this year. Between Les Eyzies, Tursac and Peyzac-le-Moustier, the road follows the river beneath golden limestone cliffs dotted with prehistoric shelters. The aerial footage broadcast from this section will be breathtaking. On the ground, the roadside is flat and open, offering excellent sightlines as the peloton sweeps past.
Combine it with: spend the morning visiting the Grotte des Combarelles or the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies, then take up your spot on the roadside as the riders approach in the afternoon.
Spot 3 — The climb to Domme and the view over the Dordogne
Domme · Royal bastide village
This is the first of the stage's two climbs, and arguably the one offering the most spectacular panorama of the entire day. The road that winds up to the hilltop bastide of Domme looks out over a sweeping bend of the Dordogne river far below. On the bends of the climb, the riders slow, the team tactics come into play, and early attacks may begin to emerge. An outstanding viewing spot for spectators, and a key tactical moment for the peloton.
Good to know: Domme is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Consider arriving the evening before to enjoy the village at sunset, then take your position on the climb from early morning to secure a good spot.
Spot 4 — The sprint finish in Bergerac
Near the poudrerie · Bergerac
A mass sprint at over 60 km/h, teams jostling for position through the nervous final kilometres, and a finish line crossed in a fraction of a second: the finish is the most electrifying spot of any stage. Take your place on the barriers near the line at Bergerac's poudrerie to feel the rush of a professional sprint from a few metres away.
Practical tip: the area around the finish line fills up quickly. Plan to be in position at least two hours before the riders arrive. Fan zone activities and entertainment are usually organised nearby to help pass the time.
Before 11 July: events not to miss
The Tour de France is as much about everything surrounding the race as the race itself. Several events are planned in the lead-up to the big day.
- Sunday 5 July — "Le Tour avant le Tour" (The Tour before the Tour). An amateur cycling ride covering all or part of the Périgueux–Bergerac stage route, starting from the allées de Tourny in Périgueux. Open to all cyclists, on open roads. A unique chance to ride the same tarmac as the professionals just days before they do.
- Thursday 11 June — Stage reconnaissance with ICI Périgord. Joined by Périgord cycling legends Jean-Luc Delpech, Jean Mespoulède and Mickaël Delage, ICI Périgord is organising a full 180-kilometre ride along the stage route. Exactly one month before the professionals.
Practical information
- Date: Saturday 11 July 2026.
- Start: Périgueux, allées de Tourny.
- Finish: Bergerac, near the poudrerie.
- Distance: 182 km.
- Stage type: flat, sprinters' stage.
- Climbs: 2 (Domme and Le Buisson-de-Cadouin).
- Official programme: tourdefrance2026.dordogne.fr
Domaine de Pouzelande, your base for 11 July
Set in Périgord Blanc, just a short drive from Périgueux, Domaine de Pouzelande is perfectly placed to catch the stage start and then move along the route at your own pace. Our gîtes and bed & breakfast rooms welcome you in the peaceful Périgord countryside, right on the doorstep of the Grande Boucle.