Tour de France 2026 Sparks Controversy Over Felling of Over 1,000 Trees in Haut-Rhin

The upcoming 2026 Tour de France route has ignited environmental controversy due to the planned cutting of more than 1,000 trees along the Ballon d’Alsace road in the Haut-Rhin region. This work, motivated by safety considerations, has drawn both official support and criticism from environmental groups.

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, expressed shock at the scale of the tree removal but acknowledged its necessity for public safety. He clarified that the decision to fell the 1,071 trees was taken back in 2023, prior to the confirmation of the Tour's route through the area. The local prefecture noted that these works were planned well in advance and expedited to secure the roads in light of the expected increased attendance the event would bring.

Prudhomme stressed the Tour’s intention to protect France’s landscape, stating, "We do not want to damage France," but recognized that the race often acts as a catalyst for such infrastructure improvements. He also questioned whether these safety measures should have been implemented earlier rather than coinciding with the Tour’s visit.

Environmental organizations like Alsace Nature and LPO Alsace criticized both the timing and execution of the tree-cutting project, highlighting ecological concerns as the area is part of the Natura 2000 network and the operation coincides with the breeding season. This has raised alarms about the impact on local biodiversity.

In total, 1,071 trees will be removed across nearly 4.5 kilometers to improve road safety on a route scheduled for use on July 18 during the Tour, which runs from July 4 to 26 this year. While the safety rationale is clear, the controversy underscores the tension between environmental preservation and the demands of hosting major sporting events in sensitive natural areas.