Published by Lyn on 3 June 2014
Stuck for something to do this weekend in the Pyrenees? Help take the Géant of the Tourmalet home for the summer at this unique local event.
On Saturday morning, June 7, the famous Geant du Tourmalet statue will be taken back to the top of the Tourmalet from its winter quarters in Bagneres-de-Bigorre.
Le Géant du Tourmalet was commissioned following the first Tour de France accent of the Tourmalet in 1910. He watches over the Tourmalet all summer before giving way to skiiers in winter.
Anyone can join the procession on bikes (see our bike hire listings if you need to hire one), it's a party atmosphere with cake and coffee for all the riders, and organisers usually get a famous cyclist on board, such as Miguel Indurain, to lend a hand.
The festivities usually attract around 1,000 cyclists and onlookers.
The day kicks off at 8.30am near the Py Square Hotel in Bagneres-de-Bigorre, with the ride to the Tourmalet starting at 9.30.
There is more information (in French) here.
Thanks very much to local cyclists Marianne and Brian at the Le Fournil Pyrenees gite for letting me know about this annual celebration.