We know the route of the 2026 Monte-Carlo Rally... and there's a surprise

As usual, it's on time. Exactly six months before the start of the new WRC season, the Monte Carlo Rally unveiled its route this Friday.

As the echo of a possible return to Valence and Ardèche by 2027 spreads more and more in the mountains, the map of the 94th edition scheduled for January 21 to 25, 2026 once again gives pride of place to the roads of the Hautes-Alpes and Drôme Provençale, around the town of Gap, which has been reappointed as a hub.

But a major surprise is on the menu for the third of the four stages: the revival of the Monegasque super-special between Rocher and Port Hercule. Competitors will return to the Principality on Saturday, January 24, to chase the clock from 5:45 p.m. on a selective 2.82km stage that runs along the lower section of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.

The previous experience of this kind is not new, as we have to go back almost twenty years to find it. It was in 2008, in the middle of the reign of the Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena tandem.

The exact route of this SS 13 will be presented later.

Another change to note: the podium for the departure and arrival ceremonies is moving from the Place du Casino to the Quai Albert-Ier.

After reviewing their ranges the day before on the shakedown special stage located at the gates of Gap, the crews will leave the Principality on Thursday, January 22nd in the early afternoon: first check-in at 2 p.m. sharp. And they will begin hostilities in the Alpes-Maritimes, between Toudon and Saint-Antonin (SS 1, 22.90 km, 3:35 p.m.).

Departments 04, 05 and 26 will then take the lion's share, with a menu of festivities including some classic pieces, such as Laborel (ES 4 and 7), Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert (ES 5 and 8) and the no less famous Col des Garcinets (ES 10 and 12).

Let it be said: the Nice highlands will have the honor of hosting the entire fourth and final act on Sunday, January 25. A "money-time" orchestrated on the slopes of the Braus passes, towards Cabanette (ES 14 and 16, 12.48km) and Turini, from La Bollène to Moulinet (ES 15 and 17, 23.33km) where the Power Stage bonus points will be awarded.

Now there is only one question left: will Sébastien Ogier, the crowned champion of the Hautes-Alpes, the trophy holder, at 42 years old, do it again to leave his mark on the prize list for the eleventh time?

The route

Thursday January 22, 2026: stage 1 (Monaco-Gap): Toudon - Saint-Antonin (ES 1 - 22.90km - 3:35 p.m.); Esclangon - Seyne-les-Alpes (SS 2 - 23.48km - 6:03 p.m.; Vaumeilh - Claret (SS 3 - 15.20km - 7:51 p.m.).

Friday, January 23, 2026: Laborel – Chauvac-Laux-Montaux (ES 4/7 - 17.84km – 8:36 a.m./2:58 p.m.); Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert - La Motte-Chalancon (ES 5/8 - 29.00km – 10:04 a.m./4:26 p.m.); La Bâtie-des-Fonts - Aspremont (ES 6/9 - 17.85km – 11:22 a.m./5:44 p.m.).

Saturday January 24, 2026: La Bréole - Bellaffaires (SS 10/12 - 30.10km – 8:05 a.m./12:05 p.m.); Vaumeilh - Claret (SS 11 - 15.20km – 9h18); Monaco super-special (SS 13 - 2.82km – 5:45 p.m.).

Sunday, January 25, 2026: Col de Braus - La Cabanette (ES 14/16 - 12.48km – 8:00/11:10 a.m.); La Bollène-Vésubie - Moulinet (ES 15/17 - 23.33km – 9:05 a.m./1:15 p.m.).