| 40th Tour of Flanders | |
| Date: | 2 April 1956 |
| Stages: | 1 |
| Distance: | 238 |
| Unit: | km |
| Time: | 6h 09' |
| Speed: | 38.699 |
| Organizer: | Het Nieuwsblad |
| First: | Jean Forestier |
| First Nat: | FRA |
| First Team: | Follis–Dunlop |
| Second: | Stan Ockers |
| Second Nat: | BEL |
| Second Team: | Elve–Peugeot |
| Third: | Leon Van Daele |
| Third Nat: | BEL |
| Third Team: | Bertin |
| Previous: | 1955 |
| Next: | 1957 |
The 40th running of the Tour of Flanders cycling classic was held on Easter Monday, 2 April 1956. French rider Jean Forestier won the race after a late breakaway from a 30-strong group in Wetteren. Sprint specialist Stan Ockers won the sprint for second place; Leon Van Daele was third.[1] 37 of 122 riders finished.[2]
The race started in Ghent and finished in Wetteren – totaling 238 km. The course featured five categorized climbs:[1]