Updated on August 10, 2026
Monaco is preparing to write a new page in cycling history. In August 2026, the Principality will host the Grand Départ of La Vuelta a España for the first time, starting from the legendary Place du Casino and the Prince's Palace.
Summary:
2026 Vuelta Programme
Thursday, 20 August 2026
- 6pm: Entertainment begins
- 7pm: Team presentation
- 8.30pm: Entertainment ends
Saturday, 22 August
- 4pm: Individual time trial start
Sunday, 23 August
- 12pm: Start from the Prince’s Palace towards the French roads
Monaco, world capital of grand departures
In August 2026, the Principality will write a new page in its sporting history. For the very first time, La Vuelta will start in Monaco, with a Grand Départ at Place du Casino. Official presentation of the teams on Thursday evening, time trial on Saturday, second stage on Sunday: from 20 to 23 August, the Rock will live to the rhythm of the red jersey.
With this start to the Tour of Spain, Monaco will become the only country in the world to have launched all three Grand Tours: the Giro in 1966, the Tour de France in 2009 and, now, La Vuelta in 2026. This is a crowning achievement for a country already designated the ‘world capital of sport 2025’.
The race route was presented at One Monte-Carlo on 24 October 2025, in the presence of Prince Albert II, his Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and La Vuelta's Director General Javier Guillén.
A 100% Monegasque time trial
The highlight of this Grand Départ will be a 9.6 km individual time trial, entirely on the streets of the Principality, on Saturday 22 August 2026. The race will start from the legendary Place du Casino, in front of the Belle Époque façade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, and finish on Boulevard Albert-Ier, the same place where the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix ends each year.
In between, the peloton will enjoy a veritable postcard tour of Monaco: from the Place du Casino to Port Hercule, then a loop around the Port de Fontvieille and the marquee of the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, a salute to the Stade Louis-II, a climb up to Boulevard des Moulins, crossing the Larvotto and Mareterra, all on a narrow, winding and demanding stretch of tarmac.
Unlike some very straight circuits, the Monegasque track is technical and fast-paced, with a series of curves, changes of pace and slight inclines, particularly towards Annonciade and Fontvieille. It is a course that showcases the many facets of the Principality.
The second stage starts from the Prince's Palace
The next day, it will be time for the second stage, which will leave Monaco before heading to France. The start will be given from the Prince's Palace on the Rock, promising spectacular images. The riders will cross the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville before diving back down to the port, going up Avenue d'Ostende and then Boulevard Princesse-Charlotte, heading towards the border.
This stage will quickly leave the Principality to join the French roads. We will have to wait until 17 December 2025 for the full presentation of La Vuelta 2026 route, which, notably, will take place in Monaco and not in Madrid as usual. This is yet another symbol of the importance attached to this Grand Départ on the Riviera.
For spectators, this second day will offer another way to enjoy the event: no longer frozen along the barriers of a time trial, but following a race that leaves the Rock, winds through the streets and then escapes to the heights of the Nice hinterland.
A postcard of the Monaco lifestyle
Beyond the sporting event, this Grand Départ offers a unique opportunity to discover the Principality's lifestyle. The time trial is designed as a moving showcase: Place du Casino, legendary hotels, new architecture on the seafront at Mareterra, Larvotto beaches, marinas and residential neighbourhoods overlooking the bay. In less than ten kilometres, the whole of Monaco will be on display.
For cycling enthusiasts, the experience promises to be complete. As with every Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, we can already imagine the terraces of the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo and the balconies of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo transformed into open-air boxes, the pontoons of Port Hercule taken over by fans of beautiful images, and the esplanades of Fontvieille and Avenue du Larvotto becoming viewing points for the race.
The Principality also intends to take advantage of the event to showcase its hospitality expertise: entertainment, fan zones, high-end hospitality, and highlighting its cultural heritage. At a time when sport is becoming a powerful vehicle for promoting the country, Monaco is taking care of every detail – from meticulous logistics to television coverage.
A dream in red for Victor Langellotti
Behind the big images, there is also a more personal story: that of Victor Langellotti, 30, the first Monegasque cyclist to win a WorldTour race, who now dreams of competing in ‘his’ Vuelta, on home soil. For the climber, who is competing in a WorldTour team this season, seeing one of the three Grand Tours start in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, is like a modern fairy tale.
It is a powerful symbol for the Principality, which now sees one of its own flying the flag for cycling on the international stage.
In 2026, the red of the Vuelta will blend with the red and white of Monaco. And while the favourites will be aiming above all for the final victory in Madrid, one thing is certain: the Grand Départ will have already offered the peloton, Monegasques, residents, visitors and television viewers a unique moment, combining sporting performance and urban elegance.
A Vuelta that starts in Monaco is a promise that the show will begin even before the first pedal stroke in Spain.
Access conditions to our establishments
From 20 to 23 August 2026
Due to the closure of the La Vuelta racecourse to traffic, access conditions to our establishments will be exceptionally modified on the following dates and times:
Circuit closure to vehicles, with pedestrian access
Thursday, 20 August from 3pm to 9pm (Place du Casino only)
Saturday, 22 August from 12pm to 8pm
Sunday, 23 August from 11am to 1pm
Accommodation
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: arrivals and departures via the hotel’s Patio, accessed through Allée des Beaux-Arts.
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo: arrivals and departures via the hotel’s main entrance.
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: recommended access via Avenue Princesse-Grace, passing through the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Monte-Carlo Beach: access via Avenue Princesse-Grace, passing through the
Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Dining
Hotel restaurants: same access conditions as those indicated for the respective hotels.
Café de Paris Monte-Carlo: no impact on pedestrian access. However, parking access will be disrupted on Saturday, 22 August.
Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo and Amazónico Monte-Carlo: valet service and parking access will be disrupted on Saturday, 22 August from 6pm to 7.30pm only.
Casino restaurants: no impact on pedestrian access. However, parking access will be disrupted on Saturday, 22 August.
Mada One: no impact on pedestrian access. However, parking access will be disrupted on Saturday, 22 August.
For any reservation at our restaurants and bars, please have your booking confirmation with you to pass through the Principality’s security checkpoints.
Wellness
SPA Clarins & myBlend at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: recommended access via Avenue Princesse-Grace, passing through the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo: On Saturday, 22 August only, access to Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo will be via Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, starting from 12pm. No valet service will be available on that day.
For any reservation at our spas, please have your booking confirmation with you in order to pass through the Principality’s security checkpoints.
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