After celebrating the centenary of the Tour passing over the Col du Tourmalet in 2010, in 2011 and 2021 the tour had a finish at Luz Ardiden on the 14th July.  2012 saw a passage through the valley and over the Col du Tourmalet on the 18th July and in 2013 we missed out – as did the Pyrenees generally. 2014 and 2022 saw a passage over the Tourmalet with a finish at Hautacam, and 2015 the same but with a finish at Cauterets on the 15th July.

 

Outside of the Tour de France madness Luz is a fabulous base for tackling some of the great Pyrenean passes. The Col du Tourmalet of course, but also Luz Ardiden, Hautacam, Soulor and Aubisque. The roads here are made for cyclists and you will have difficulty finding more spectacular scenery to cycle through.  The roads up past the Gavarnie ski station to the Col des Tentes, and up into the Cirque de Troumouse provide even more challenging climbs, even if they are never on the Tour circuit because they are within the Pyrenees National Park.

 

Our local bike shops have excellent equipment and you can organise rental of road bikes and mountain bikes through them.  Both have on-line shops, Ardiden Velos and Gran Tourmalet Bike Tours. We have a secure cellar to store your bikes.

 

Note that the Col du Tourmalet often does not officially open until early June, but all efforts are made for it to be open in May. Contact us for information before you attempt to drive or ride over it in May and early June.

Orbea, a Spanish bike brand, made a promotional video featuring the climbs around Luz.