Having made its first appearance on the Tour route in 1930, Pau has established itself as the race’s base camp for climbs in the Pyrenees. Its location lends itself to all kinds of stage profiles, as shown by the list of winners here, who range from climbers like René Vietto and Fausto Coppi to baroudeurs like Pierrick Fédrigo, and even sprinters such as Sean Kelly, Robbie McEwen and Arnaud Démare. In 2019, the centenary of the Yellow Jersey’s appearance was celebrated in the capital of Béarn, and the occasion masterfully honoured by Julian Alaphilippe. In the following two years, Tadej Pogacar dominated the stages that started in Pau, winning in Laruns and Luz Ardiden, respectively.
- Stage town for the 74th time
- Prefecture of Pyrenees-Atlantiques (64)
- Population: 75,700 (Palois and Paloises), 162,000 within the 31 communes comprising the Pau Béarn Pyrenees municipality
