Image: J.-P. Gionnet
Spotlight · Sport and recreation
Christian Prudhomme
General Director of the Tour de France, honoured by Edinburgh Napier University in 2026 ahead of the race's Grand Départ from Edinburgh in July 2027.
“It is such an honour. I'm so happy, so proud to be here – as the director of the Tour, as a Frenchman, and personally.”
Christian Prudhomme, Edinburgh Napier University graduation, 28 October 2026
Key facts
- General Director of the Tour de France since 2007
- Former sports journalist and broadcaster, including editor-in-chief of L'Équipe TV
- Leads the Tour to its first start in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027
- Honorary doctorate, Edinburgh Napier University, 28 October 2026
Their story
Celebrating Dr Christian Prudhomme
Our first Honorary Doctor this week from Edinburgh Napier University is Christian Prudhomme, General Director of the Tour de France.
Edinburgh Napier awarded Christian an honorary doctorate on 28 October 2026, at its autumn graduations in the Usher Hall. The Tour trophy stood on the stage, and the University lit its Craiglockhart campus in yellow for the occasion.
From journalist to race director Christian was born in Paris in 1960 and trained at the ESJ school of journalism in Lille. He worked in sports broadcasting for fifteen years: as a reporter and then head of sport at La Cinq, at LCI and Europe 1, and as editor-in-chief of L'Équipe TV. At France Télévisions he commentated on the Tour de France. He joined Amaury Sport Organisation, which organises the Tour, in 2004.
Leading the Tour After three years as assistant director, Christian succeeded Jean-Marie Leblanc as General Director in 2007. He has led the race for almost twenty years. Presenting him, Professor Tom Campbell, Director and Academic Lead at Bike Innovation Scotland, said: "For almost 20 years, Christian has been responsible for one of the world's largest sporting events."
Edinburgh and the Grand Départ On 2 July 2027 the Tour de France will start in Edinburgh for the first time in its history, with the first stage finishing in Carlisle. Christian has visited the city ten to twelve times in the past decade. Accepting his honour, he credited Paul Bush, who was honoured at the same ceremony: "I remember the first meeting we had with Paul almost 20 years ago and without him, this simply wouldn't happen."