1953 / 2023... On July 6th, the Tour returns to Cauterets! 

1953, 1989, 1995, 2015 - A look back at previous editions
of the Tour de France in Cauterets

Summer 2023 will be marked by one of the most anticipated events in the world of cycling: the Tour de France, which will be celebrating its 120th anniversary.
For its 6th stage , the Grand Boucle will start in Tarbes, cross the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet, and finish with the climb to Cauterets Cambasque. A grand return to this site which, in 1989, witnessed the first stage victory of a certain Miguel Indurain...
Don't miss this exceptional moment by staying at the comfortable Chalet La Source, just steps from the Tour route! 

A stage for the best climbers

The 2023 Tour de France is described as being
tailor-made for climbers , due to the large number of mountain stages, nine in total. On July 5th, the peloton tackles the Pyrenees, during the fifth stage between Pau and Laruns (165 km) . The route includes several difficult climbs, including the Col de Soudet and the Col Marie Blanque. The following day, for the sixth stage , the riders depart from Tarbes and head to Cauterets-Cambasque, a 145 km route.

A relatively short high mountain stage, which also crosses two of the most legendary passes: the Aspin (12km at 6.5%) and the Tourmalet via Sainte-Marie de Campan (17.1km at 7.3%). Passes that have marked the history of the Tour de France many times: this will be the 75th time for the Tourmalet!

Although the final climb to the Cambasque plateau is less well known - used only once by the Tour, in 1989 - it is nonetheless selective with its 16km at an average of 5.4% - and up to 10% in the numerous hairpin bends, particularly during the last few kilometers.

With this level of difficulty, we can already expect a    first showdown between the favorites!

Cauterets, a regular participant in the Tour

A prime location for mountain cycling, with its winding roads and breathtaking scenery, Cauterets is hosting a Tour de France stage finish for the 5th time . These stages have showcased the best climbers of the moment, and great champions.

Tour de France 1953, Stage 10  , Pau-Cauterets – Jesus Lorono, best climber

It was in 1953 that Cauterets hosted the finish of a Tour de France stage for the first time . At the start in Pau, the favorites were nervous. Swiss rider Hugo Koblet, winner of the 1951 Tour, launched a masterful attack on the Aubisque climb. But on the descent of the Soulor pass, he crashed heavily and was forced to abandon the race.

Upon arrival in Cauterets, it was the Spaniard Jesus Lorono who took the victory, with a lead of nearly 6 minutes. Lorono would finish as the best climber of this 1953 Tour , a Tour that would be won for the first time by Louison Bobet.

Tour de France 1989, Stage 9 , Pau-Cauterets - Indurain makes his mark

In 1989, the Tour de France explored the climb to Cambasque, above the spa town. From Pau, the Marie-Blanque and Aubisque passes had allowed Greg Lemond, Laurent Fignon, and Pedro Delgado to test their strength. Not wanting to expose himself too much, the Spaniard sent his teammate, a certain Miguel Indurain , ahead of him.

After catching up with Frenchman Forest, the Navarrese distanced himself from his pursuers, and came to win his first stage on the Tour de France at the summit of Cauterets, where he won with a 27-second lead.

Tour de France 1995, Stage 15 , Saint Giron-Cauterets – Richard Virenque, best climber

This stage included five mountain passes – Portet d'Aspet, Menté, Peyresourde, Aspin, and finally the Col du Tourmalet before a final climb to Cauterets via the Crête du Lys. Richard Virenque rode solo , crossing the summit first to secure his polka dot jersey as best climber.

At the summit of Aspin, this mission is already accomplished but he continues his effort in the Tourmalet, repels the return of Chapucci and Escartin, to win at the Crêtes du Lys.

A stage which will unfortunately remain marked by the fatal fall of the Italian rider Fabio Casartelli, during a mass crash on the descent of the Col de Portet d'Aspet.

Tour de France 2015, Stage 11 , Pau-Cauterets - Rafal Majka wins solo

With two mountain passes, including the Aspin and the Tourmalet, and several severe climbs, the stage linking Pau to Cauterets constitutes the first real mountain stage of this 2015 edition.

It was the Pole Rafal Majka , best climber of the 2014 Tour, who took the victory. After a well-timed attack on the Tourmalet, Majka increased the pace, gradually dropping his breakaway companions, to arrive solo in Cauterets.

This victory allows him, for the second year in a row, to  win the distinctive polka dot jersey of the best climber of the Tour de France.

There is no doubt that the fans will be there in force, and eager to see what the Tour has in store for them, once again this year in Cauterets.

So don't hesitate, come and experience the excitement of the Tour passing by, or relive the climb to Cambasque by bike, during your stay at Chalet La Source !