Col de Peyresourde

In the footsteps of James Bond...

The Col de Peyresourde links theLouron valley to the Larboust valley. Its summit marks the boundary between the Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne departments. On the way up, you’ll catch a glimpse of the villages of Vielle-Louron, Génos-Loudenvielle and its lake.

On the road to the Tour de France

Since 1947, this climb has been a Tour de France classic. Indeed, the latter has already climbed it 68 times.

But this pass isn’t only known thanks to the Tour de France. In 1997, it was here that footage was shot for the film “Tomorrow Never Dies” starring Pierce Brosnan. James Bond goes undercover to spy on an arms deal with terrorists at an altiport. The Peyresourde-Balestas altiport was renamed “Altiport 007” in 2017, in reference to the filming. The Col de Peyresourde will thus forever remain James Bond’s pass 😉

Identity sheet

Start altitude: 970 m
Finish altitude: 1,587 m
Cumulative positive ascent: 711 m
Distance: 9.75 km
Average gradient: 6%
Level: easy

The route
The profile
Good to know

©profile-3418431

No refreshment point before the pass but rumour has it that there are pancakes at the top of the pass!

Very busy pass: think about setting off rather early in the morning…

Think about stocking up in Loudenvielle.

About 1h15 for the climb.

Preparing for the climb

From Saint-Lary, reach Loudenvielle via the Col d’Azet (20 km) or via Arreau (26 km).

The climb starts at 935 m altitude, towards Armenteule then Estarvielle. It is relatively gentle, averaging 6%, but becomes harder at the end. The gradient is relatively constant, the road pleasant and rolling.

After the summit, the route descends back to Bagnères-de-Luchon for 13.3 km.

It ends at 1,569 m, i.e. 619 m of ascent.