Tour de France 2027: Start Your Journey in Britain and Follow It Across Europe

4th April 2026

With routes and dates now confirmed, the Tour de France 2027 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting summers to visit Britain and Europe. For the first time, the race will begin across Scotland, England and Wales, bringing the opening stages of the world’s most famous cycling event directly into some of the UK’s most iconic destinations. From there, it continues into France and across Europe—turning this into far more than a sporting event. It’s a journey you can follow.

If you’re thinking about travelling in summer 2027, now is the time to start planning. Popular locations along the route will get busy, and the best places to stay—especially in cities and scenic regions—are likely to sell out early.

This blog is your starting point. It introduces what to expect and how to plan ahead, and it also kicks off a full series where we’ll explore:

  • The men’s race across Britain
  • The women’s race and its UK stages
  • The journey through France and its regions
  • Travel ideas including wine regions, scenic routes and cultural stops
  • How to build a wider Europe trip around the Tour
Tour de France 2027 Edinburgh announcement at Edinburgh Castle with yellow jerseys and crowd

The official announcement that the Tour de France 2027 will begin in Edinburgh, with a ceremonial presentation at Edinburgh Castle featuring dignitaries, young riders, and iconic yellow jerseys.

🚴 What Makes the Tour de France So Special?

The Tour de France began in 1903 and has grown into the most famous cycling race in the world. But even if you’re not a cycling fan, it’s still one of the best ways to experience Europe.

Why? Because it moves.

Over three weeks, the race travels through:

  • Small towns and countryside
  • Major cities
  • Mountain landscapes
  • Coastal routes and hidden regions

You’re not just watching a race—you’re following a journey through different parts of Europe, each with its own character.

🇬🇧 The Tour de France in Britain: A Proven Favourite

The Tour doesn’t come to Britain often—but when it does, it’s huge.

Previous visits include:

  • 1974 – First British stage
  • 1994 – Southern England stages
  • 2007 – London Grand Départ
  • 2014 – Yorkshire start with massive crowds, followed by a London finish

The 2014 event showed just how popular the Tour is in the UK, with millions lining the roads.

Now in 2027, it returns on a bigger scale—spanning three nations in the opening stages.

🗺️ The 2027 Route: Britain First

The race will begin in Edinburgh, before heading through:

  • Carlisle
  • Keswick (Lake District)
  • Liverpool
  • Welshpool
  • Cardiff

This is a brilliant route for travellers.

You’ve got:

  • A historic capital city (Edinburgh)
  • Stunning natural scenery (Lake District)
  • Cultural cities (Liverpool, Cardiff)
  • A real mix of regions across the UK

👉 The key thing to know: these places will be busy.

If you want to stay along the route or visit during the event, booking early will make a big difference.

In upcoming blogs, we’ll break this down in detail—where to go, how to get around, and how to follow the race stage by stage.

🚴‍♀️ Don’t Miss the Women’s Tour

2027 is also a big year for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which will start in Britain later in the summer.

The route includes:

  • Leeds
  • Manchester
  • Sheffield
  • London

This gives you even more options to build a trip around the event—especially if you’re travelling for longer or want to explore northern England.

We’ll be covering this in its own dedicated posts as part of this series.

🇫🇷 Following the Tour into France

After the British stages, the Tour heads back to France—and this is where it becomes a full European journey.

The route will take in:

  • Classic countryside
  • Historic towns and villages
  • Mountain regions like the Alps and Pyrenees
  • Areas known for food, culture—and wine

For travellers, this is where things get really interesting.

Many of the regions connected to the Tour are also famous for their wine, making it easy to combine the event with wine tasting experiences and regional tours.

In this series, we’ll show you how to:

  • Follow the route into France
  • Visit key regions along the way
  • Combine the Tour with food, culture and wine travel

🇫🇷 From London to Paris: The Easy Next Step

Once you’ve experienced part of the Tour in Britain, the obvious next move is heading to Paris.

It’s quick and easy to reach from London by train, and it’s one of Europe’s must-visit cities.

In our next blog, we’ll look at:

👉 Day trips from London to Paris
👉 Whether it’s worth staying longer
👉 What you can realistically see and do

This is where your trip starts to open up:

UK → Tour → Paris → Europe

💶 Travel Europe Without Breaking the Budget

Once you’re in Europe, it makes sense to see more.

The good news is that it’s often easier—and cheaper—than people expect, especially with multi-country travel options.

We’ll be covering:

  • Low cost Europe tours
  • Multi-country routes
  • Time-saving travel options
  • How to get the most value from your trip

This is where the Tour becomes the starting point for a much bigger adventure.

🌸 Easter Right Now: London is Buzzing

If you’re already in the UK this weekend, there’s plenty happening right now.

Today is race day for the historic The Boat Race, held along the River Thames, one of London’s most iconic events.

Combined with the Easter weekend, the city is full of energy, with visitors exploring landmarks, riverside areas and seasonal events.

If you’re here—or planning a visit—take a look at our latest guides:

👉 https://www.bestvaluetours.co.uk/blog/boat-race-2026-london-guide/
👉 https://www.bestvaluetours.co.uk/blog/easter-in-london/

It’s a great example of how travel in Britain often combines major events, history and atmosphere—something you’ll also find with the Tour de France.

🌱 Sustainability and the Tour

The Tour de France has been putting more focus on sustainability in recent years.

Some of the key ideas include:

  • Promoting cycling as a low-impact way to travel
  • Reducing waste and improving event organisation
  • Encouraging responsible tourism in host regions

It’s not perfect, but it reflects a wider shift toward more conscious travel—and it’s something we’ll explore in more detail in a future post.

🔗 This Is Just the Start

This blog is the beginning of a full series.

Coming next:

✨ Final Thoughts

The Tour de France 2027 is more than something to watch—it’s something you can build a trip around. Starting in Britain and continuing into France and Europe, it gives you a unique way to explore multiple destinations in one journey. If you’re planning ahead, you’ll get the most out of it. And this is just the beginning.

⭐ Popular Scotland Tours from Edinburgh

Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland is the perfect place to kick off your Tour de France journey—and there’s plenty to explore beyond race day. Whether you’re looking for a one-day experience or a longer journey through the Highlands and islands, here are some of our most popular Scotland tours:

Day Trip Loch Ness and Scottish Highlands
Discover the dramatic landscapes that have inspired legends for centuries on this full-day journey from Edinburgh into the Scottish Highlands. Travelling through wild moorlands and towering mountains, the route passes the haunting beauty of Glencoe and the slopes of Ben Nevis before reaching the legendary waters of Loch Ness. In the charming village of Fort Augustus you can stroll beside the Caledonian Canal, enjoy views across the loch, or even take an optional boat cruise while keeping an eye out for the famous Nessie.

3 Day Highlands and Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh
This three-day adventure offers a deeper exploration of the landscapes that define the Scottish Highlands. Travelling through Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor, the journey leads to the mystical Isle of Skye where rugged mountains, ancient castles and dramatic coastal scenery create one of Scotland’s most unforgettable regions. Along the way you’ll also visit the famous waters of Loch Ness and landmarks such as Eilean Donan Castle, discovering the history, legends and natural beauty that make the Highlands so captivating.

3 Day Edinburgh & Outlander Rail Tour from London
Combine a scenic rail journey from London with time to explore Scotland’s historic capital on this memorable short break. After arriving in Edinburgh you can discover the city’s famous landmarks including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile before joining a guided tour to filming locations from the popular Outlander series. With accommodation, rail travel and sightseeing included, this trip offers a relaxed introduction to Scotland’s culture, history and dramatic landscapes.

5 Day Winter Scotland Adventure
Experience the Highlands in their most atmospheric season on this unforgettable winter journey through Scotland. Travelling from Edinburgh into the heart of the Highlands, the tour reveals snow-dusted mountains, quiet glens and shimmering lochs that create a truly magical setting. Highlights include the dramatic scenery of Glen Coe, the Isle of Skye’s rugged landscapes and the mysterious waters of Loch Ness, where history, folklore and natural beauty combine to create a memorable winter adventure.

19 Day UK and Ireland Tour – Peaks & Pubs
For travellers who want to experience the very best of Britain and Ireland, this epic 19-day journey explores some of the most iconic landscapes and cities across the region. From the historic streets of London and Edinburgh to the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia and Ireland’s Atlantic coast, the tour blends famous sights with lively culture and local experiences. Along the way you’ll discover ancient castles, legendary landscapes and vibrant pub traditions while travelling with fellow adventurers across five remarkable countries.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help with your travel plans and any questions you may have. With over 40 years’ experience, we’re always happy to guide you — whether you’re choosing the right tour, planning something specific, or simply looking for advice.

📞 Call us:
+44 (0)20 7170 5878

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We’re here to help — so please feel free to get in touch.

This is just the beginning — we’ll continue to explore how travel can become more sustainable, one destination at a time.

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Colourful harbour town of Portree on the Isle of Skye with boats and coastal views, Scotland

The colourful waterfront of Portree Harbour on the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland’s most scenic coastal destinations