French Wildlife

Col du Tourmalet

Posted by Steve Parr on

July 12th 2025

This is the highest pass in the Pyrenees at 2,115m and the one revered by cyclists both for its challenging ascent as well as its consistent inclusion in the Tour de France. The wonderful sculpture at the summit is the Giant of Tourmalet (Le Géant du Tourmalet), or simply Octave in memory of Octave Lapize, the first rider to cross the Col on the Tour in 1910 and the overall winner that year. Stage 14 of the 2025 tour was due to come through here in a week. The route from Luz-Saint-Saveur passes through the village of Barèges and then winds up beneath the observatory on the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 2,887m. The eastern flank of the col is dominated by the ski resort at La Mongie. The biodiversity of the Pyrenees is not much affected by the litter of infrastructure across the slopes. The major issue is the warming climate, which is shrinking the extent of alpine and subalpine habitats as well as the viability of many ski resorts. The most striking plants here, were the tall, red houseleeks Sempervivum montanum together with Sedums, pansies and speedwells. Lower down the slopes the wet flushes were full of various orchids.

A sculpture of a cyclist riding a bicycle, located at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, set against a mountainous background.
A silhouette of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre observatory at dusk, with communication towers and facilities visible on the summit, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.
A sheep grazing on grass in the mountainous Pyrenees region, with lush greenery and hills in the background.
Close-up of rocky terrain in the Pyrenees, featuring patches of green vegetation and colorful wildflowers among stones and a small water flow.
A close-up of a pink flower with frilled petals growing near a rocky surface in a mountainous landscape.
Cluster of white flowers with pink buds growing among grass and rocks in the Pyrenees.
A tall, pink houseleek flower (_Sempervivum montanum_) growing between rocks covered with green lichen, highlighting the unique biodiversity of the Pyrenees.
Close-up of pink and yellow flowering plants in the Pyrenees, highlighting the biodiversity of alpine flora.
Close-up of yellow flowering plants in a grassy alpine setting.
Purple flowers surrounded by green foliage and rocky terrain in the Pyrenees.
Two butterflies resting on purple flowers in a lush green setting.
A close-up of a cluster of delicate white flowers among tall grass in the Pyrenees, showcasing the biodiversity of alpine habitats.
Close-up of a small blue flower surrounded by green leaves and dry grass on the slopes of the Pyrenees.
Scenic view of the Pyrenees mountain range with rocky peaks and cloudy skies.

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