Heat guidance

WBGT and the UCI High Temperature Protocol's five risk tiers are explained on the platform methodology page — the same protocol applies to every edition. This page covers what's specific to the men's Tour.

For roadside fans

France uses a four-level heat vigilance system (Météo-France, in coordination with Santé publique France for the highest level):

Vert (green) — normal conditions, no particular vigilance needed.
Jaune (yellow) — a brief heat peak (1-2 days). Mainly a risk for people already in fragile health or working outdoors; stay aware but no need to change plans.
Orange — an official canicule (heatwave): intense heat for at least 3 consecutive days and nights, risking the whole population, not just vulnerable groups. Hydrate constantly, avoid roughly noon–4pm direct sun, and seek cool/air-conditioned spaces for a few hours a day.
Rouge (red) — an exceptional, extreme heatwave, dangerous for everyone including healthy people. Expect possible event disruptions; prioritize shade and indoor cooling over watching the race live during peak hours.

What actually happened this edition

French media coverage of the 2026 Tour referred to stages being raced under a "Code Red" heat alert. This isn't a distinct legal category — it's journalistic shorthand for Météo-France's vigilance rougeheatwave level combined with a French Interior Ministry circular authorizing regional préfets to modify or cancel a stage, in consultation with the race organizer, when conditions no longer allow for the safety of spectators, staff, and emergency response. That power sits with local government, not the UCI, and is separate from (though often triggered alongside) the UCI's own WBGT-based protocol.