The tour & Pau

Between the Tour de France and Pau, there is a lasting love affair…. The royal city ranks amongst the three towns that have most often welcomed the Big Loop, after Paris and Bordeaux.

Various legendary pages of the competition have been written in the capital of the Béarn. Benefiting from its geographical location, Pau unveils, on its horizon, the climbers’ favourite terrain : the ascent of the formidable Pyrenean passes.

Its name is forever associated with these legendary mountain passes : the Aubisque, the Soulor, the Tourmalet, the Aspin and the Peyresourde ; along with the mythical ascents to the mountain holiday resorts....

Several great champions have won at Pau. In particular : Hinault, Chiappucci, Delgado, Coppi, Rivière, Mastrotto... And other legends too, whose hopes were but to be dashed on the Pyrenean slopes.

Away in the opposite direction, Pau sets into motion the last of the flat stages towards the Champs-Elysées...

Pau is also the guarantee of an incomparable welcome. This is thanks to its hotel capacity, its facilities, its welcoming public and its festive atmosphere. For this reason Pau is often chosen as a rest stage for the Tour and its impressive caravan, creating an occasion for a variety of animations and entertainments.