Stage 1

Sainte Mère Église – Carentan, 45 km, 260 m D+, 249 m D-

Sainte Mère Église – Carentan

Tuesday the 16th of June 2026

From the church tower with its parachutist, you set off through villages, across Utah Beach, and into the swamps at Carentan. A powerful start on Normandy’s varied terrain.

This is the first full stage, and it has everything. Rolling farmland and quiet villages guide you to the wide sands of Utah Beach — heavy on the legs, light on the spirit.

Beyond the coast lies the bocage: a green maze of hedgerows, single tracks, and muddy sections that demand focus and rhythm. The terrain shifts constantly, technical and rewarding at every turn.

The final stretch pushes you into the swamps around Carentan. Energy drains, stamina is tested, but the finish line greets you with pure relief.

Tuesday the 16th of June 2026

From the church tower with its parachutist, you set off through villages, across Utah Beach, and into the swamps at Carentan. A powerful start on Normandy’s varied terrain.

This is the first full stage, and it has everything. Rolling farmland and quiet villages guide you to the wide sands of Utah Beach — heavy on the legs, light on the spirit.

Beyond the coast lies the bocage: a green maze of hedgerows, single tracks, and muddy sections that demand focus and rhythm. The terrain shifts constantly, technical and rewarding at every turn.

The final stretch pushes you into the swamps around Carentan. Energy drains, stamina is tested, but the finish line greets you with pure relief.