Marion Rousse betrayed by hotel bookings over 2027 Tour

Marion Rousse’s plans for the Tour de France Femmes 2027 appear to have been exposed by hotel demand in Clermont-Ferrand. The bookings point to a likely return to Auvergne and raise the possibility that the race could feature the Puy de Dôme, one of the region’s most significant cycling landmarks.

Several hotels in the Clermont metropolitan area are already full for two nights in early August 2027, despite no major event being scheduled locally at that time. The official route is not due to be presented in Paris until the end of October, but the accommodation pressure suggests that the Puy-de-Dôme could become a key part of the course.

Rousse, the race director, has previously identified the volcanic summit as a target for the women’s Tour. She has argued that the event needs to include a legendary climb in every edition and sees the major passes as central to the Tour’s history, for both men and women. Clermont-Ferrand hosted the race’s Grand Départ in 2023, while the 2025 edition included a stage from the city to Ambert.

The project is supported by cooperation between ASO and local authorities, including Puy-de-Dôme department president Lionel Chauvin. Logistical questions remain, including how a summit finish could operate without spectators. The climb also carries historical weight: Jeannie Longo used it to secure her 1988 victory after a duel with Maria Canins, while the men’s Tour returned there in 2023 after a 35-year absence.