A relationship that began in 1930 has subsequently blossomed to the extent that Pau has become well established as a base camp for the Tour, either before or after the climbs in the Pyrenees. Its location lends itself to every type of stage profile, a characteristic supported by the list of winners in the city, which includes climbers René Vietto and Fausto Coppi, breakaway specialists such as Pierrick Fédrigo, and sprinters like Sean Kelly, Robbie McEwen, Arnaud Démare, and Jasper Philipsen, the winner here last summer. In 2019, the capital of Béarn celebrated the centenary of the yellow jersey’s first appearance, a moment honoured in masterly fashion by Julian Alaphilippe.
- Stage town for the 76th time
- Prefecture of the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64)
- Population: 75,800 (Palois et Paloises)
