High Mountains Stage
Tue, July 20 —starts at 11:30 local time

About Stage 16
By Chris Brewer
Definitely a day for amazing scenery in the high mountains.  Today’s stage is a little odd in that the hardest part of the stage – no less than two Cat 1’s and two Hors category climbs – occur in the first two-thirds of the stage, not the end.  Very familiar climbs are on hand to Tour fans: the Col d’Aspin, the Tourmalet, and the Col d’Aubisque.  But unless someone cracks, I don’t expect any big movement in the overall standings with a 61km descent and run-in to the line.




About Pau
Pau is the third most frequently visited site on the Tour, having served as a stage town 62 times. To celebrate this year’s race, the Pyrenean city hosts a popular festival with a show called “Je me souviens du Tour” and performances from the Générik Vapeur caravan troupe. This year is also the 400th anniversary of the assassination of King Henri IV, a Huguenot native of Pau. A parade will be held to commemorate Henri IV. Other events held in Pau this year include the World Championship for the court spot Basque Pelota, as well as the national flower show.

Pau is currently undergoing a large renovation and beautification project. The Boulevard des Pyrénées, one of the city’s main streets, is being widened.  A new stadium and district will be added to the city, as well as an urban nature park, which will be located on the banks of the Gave de Pau River. Visitors to Pau should make sure to check out these new additions to the city.


-- City descriptions written by Rachel Horn