Week 3– Pyrenees and Col de Tourmalet

 

We had a spectacular 2 day trip to the Pyrenees. It is about a 2.5 hour leisurely drive from where we are staying through some beautiful countryside. Of course it helps when the weather is perfect and we could not have picked 2 more perfect days. 

It was on Jerry’s to do list to drive up the Col de Tourmalet and see just how hard the cyclists do it in the Tour de France, although they do make it look easy! After all they only climb 2115 metres!

At the start of the steep road up many cyclists are seen getting ready to attempt the cycle themselves beside the memorial of Jaques Goddet, director of the tour 1936 to 1987. They look eager and are very jovial and set off at a great enthusiastic pace.

As we pass them along the way they are in different states of exhaustion depending on fitness and age. The groups have broken up so no more chatting, smiles are replaced by  intense grimaces and looks of determination as they struggle to reach the top and conquer the Tourmalet. Exhausted but happy they have there picture taken beside the statue of Octave Lapize the first cyclist over the top in 1913. Then it’s the  very fast free wheel ride of success downhill all the way!

It was a very busy road both with cyclists, cars and campervans galore. Some of the cyclists get the wobbles up on the way so we slow down and gave them a wide berth. Many people sit by the side of the road with picnics laid out just enjoying the moment. That is until cheeky mountain rams come along and steal the lunches away, very amusing to watch.

At the top we stopped and enjoyed the view of both the uphill journey and the downhill windy road on the other side. Of course we posed for our photo beside the statue too.               The next day we took the cable car from Le Mongie to the top of the highest peak in the region. Pic du Midi at 2800 metres.

Not a cloud in the sky so a perfect jaw dropping 360deg view of the Pyranees.  For me it’s the highest I have been and it was just totally amazing. So rugged and oh so beautiful!

We shared the top of the mountain with LOTS of people, mid summer, peak season, clear day, what else can you expect. Some had walked up from the top of the Col de Tourmalet, had we realised there was a very walkable path we too would have enjoyed the walk up and cable car back down.

It was definitely a holiday atmosphere in the village of La Mongie where restaurants were full and people doing what the French do best – eating and drinking!

Even this donkey was at the bakers waiting for his lunch to be served!