Legendary passes of the Tour de France

The Col du Galibier is undoubtedly one of the most famous classic climbs of the Tour de France. It is not without good reason that it is also referred to as the roof of the tour. When you pedal between the serpentines, you can see why. The closer you get to 2634 m, the more likely it is that you will find snow. Like-minded people in shorts and short-sleeved jerseys often shoot past meter-high mountains of snow. Garnished with the panorama of Mont Blanc and the barren lunar landscape, it is a real treat. Pure Tour de France feeling!

The Col du Tourmalet is one of the most legendary passes in the Pyrenees and the Tour de France. It is the pass that has been used the most in the history of the Tour since its first time in 1910.

Culminating at 2,115 meters above sea level, it is also one of the highest. It is reached from Luz-Saint-Sauveur via 19 kilometers at 7.4% or from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan over 17.2 kilometers at 7.37% on average.

The Mont Ventoux is of course an absolute "MUST" for every racing cyclist. And apart from the Tour de France hype about this mountain, it is simply beautiful - great route from Bedoin first through the light oak forest, later through the barren limestone landscape with a view of Provence that you have to experience.

And if you're not driving uphill at racing speed, the incline is also much less dramatic than is often said.

The Col d'Izoard is a climb that connects Briançon to the Guille valley. Climbing on both sides over tight asphalt. The south side is known as the most difficult, because the last 10 kilometers are certainly very steep.

Culminating at 1,489 meters above sea level, the Col d'Aspin is a classic of the Tour de France. Its ascent from Arreau is magnificent. Via a few switchbacks, it meanders over 12 kilometers at an average speed of 6.5% with a few passages at 10%.

It is also possible to climb it from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. The climb is 12.5 kilometers at an average of 5.1%.

There are three different ways to climb to the top of the Col de la Croix de Fer. The most famous is the climb from the Barrage du Verney in the Oisans valley, as this is the side used in the Marmotte (except for the last kilometres). It is 27.5 km long with an elevation gain of 1292 m. The average gradient is 4.7% with maximum gradients of 11.1%.

The Col de la Croix de Fer from Saint Jean de Maurienne is 28.2km long with an elevation gain of 1475m. The average gradient is 5.23% with maximum gradients of 9.6%

The final ascent is via the Col du Glandon. After the summit of Glandon there are about 2km to reach the summit.

The Col de la Madeleine from La Chambre is 19km long with a total drop of 1522m. The average gradient is 8% with maximum gradients of 13.5%. On the north side, the climb is even longer with 24.5 km in length, but it is slightly easier with an average gradient of 6.3%.

It has featured several times in the Tour de France and is one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps.

The Col d'Aubisque is a true myth of the Pyrenees. Culminating at 1,709 meters above sea level, it is difficult to separate from its neighbour: the Soulor.

The climb from Laruns is 16.6 kilometers long for an average of 7.17%. It crosses the spa town of Eaux-Bonnes as well as the ski resort of Gourette.

The slope towards the Soulor constitutes a magnificent belvedere on the Lithor circus.

At the Col de l'Iseran, at more than 2,764 meters above sea level, you come close to the giants. This pass is indeed the highest road pass in the Alps. In other words, it is a mythical place for all experienced cyclists!It only exceeds by about ten meters the impressive Italian pass of Stelvio which culminates at 2,758 meters.Appreciate this unique moment and this satisfaction before the beautiful descent which is announced.

Originally, Alpe d'Huez was just a test-tube town for winter sports enthusiasts. But why not earn money in summer too? With the offer to let the entire peloton spend the night in the castles free of charge, Alpe d'Huez became the first mountain finish of the Tour de France in 1953.

Since then, the 21 bends to Alpe d’Huez have been the epitome of mountain arrivals, for spectacles, for cycling legend for many cyclists - to be experienced live during the ascent through the names of the stage winners who are immortalized in the bends. So there is plenty of fun during the climbing party.