The 1997 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré was the 49th edition of the cycle race and was held from 8 June to 15 June 1997.

The race started in Grenoble and finished in Chambéry.

The race was won by Udo Bölts of Team Telekom.

[2] Fifteen teams, containing a total of 120 riders, participated in the race:[2] 8 June 1997 – Grenoble, 5.1 km (3.2 mi) (ITT) 9 June 1997 – Grenoble to Villeurbanne, 167 km (103.8 mi) 10 June 1997 – Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or to Le Puy-en-Velay, 217 km (134.8 mi) 11 June 1997 – Le Puy-en-Velay to Beaumes-de-Venise, 214 km (133.0 mi) 12 June 1997 – Bédarrides to Bédarrides, 45 km (28.0 mi) (ITT) 13 June 1997 – Cavaillon to Digne-les-Bains, 169 km (105.0 mi) 14 May 1997 – Digne-les-Bains to Briançon, 187 km (116.2 mi) 15 June 1997 – Briançon to Chambéry, 182 km (113.1 mi)