Where is the Tour des Géants in Pau?

The Tour des Géants awaits you at the Philippe Tissié Stadium, in the Bois-Louis, just a stone’s throw from Pau railway station. An open-air museum, perfect for a stroll between the town, the Gave river and the palm trees.

Is the Tour des Géants free?

Yes, entry is free. Good news: you can come along whenever you like, without a ticket or booking.

When can you visit the Tour des Géants?

The site is open every day, all year round. Perfect for a spot of exercise, a family walk or a quick stop-off before catching the train.

Is it possible to visit the Tour des Géants with children?

Yes, and we highly recommend it! Children can explore the totems, scan the QR codes, watch videos… and even play hide-and-seek amongst the champions.

Is the site of interest to cycling enthusiasts?

Absolutely. Pau is one of the major cities on the Tour de France route, having hosted the race 75 times as either a start or finish town. Here, cycling has found its open-air museum.

Can we bring our dog?

Yes, Fido’s welcome. A lead, a bit of a run-up, and off you go for a brisk walk in the heart of Bois-Louis.

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Le Tour Des Geants Pau 05 Emilie Massal Communaute Dagglomeration De Pau
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Communauté d'Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées / Émilie Massal

The Tour of the Giants Open-air museum

Q: What is there to see on the Tour des Géants?

Yellow totems pay tribute to the winners of the Tour de France. Each monument tells the story of a particular edition of the Tour de France through archive material, texts and the memories of the champions

In Pau, the Tour de France has its very own museum! At the Philippe Tissié Stadium, in the Bois Louis, on the site of the former velodrome, an exceptional museum opened its doors in 2015. It is an open-air space to breathe, reflecting the spirit of this sport, for which fresh air and outdoor riding are essential, where each champion is celebrated with a totem. If you love cycling and its great champions, the legacy of these courageous men awaits you for a stroll under the open sky!

Getting there

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Le Tour Des Geants Pau 07 Latelier Dherve Communaute Dagglomeration De Pau
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Communauté d'Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées / L'Atelier d'Hervé

The History of the Tour

Near the station, in the heart of the Bois-Louis, yellow totems – in the colour of the most famous of the jerseys – pay tribute to the heroes of the Tour de France.

Each totem tells the story of a particular edition of the Tour: archive documents and texts by the writer Christian Laborde remind us that it is so much more than just a race: destinies are sometimes forged here, heroes emerge, and fallen angels are revealed. Each stage brings its own share of surprises, reminding us that nothing can be taken for granted. The Tour de France has spanned the century, experiencing both dark times and moments of glory. Every year, a new totem is added to the site, immortalising the name and image of the winner of that particular year’s race.

Everything you need to know about the Tour de France in Pau

Pau and the Tour de France

Pau is the third city to have hosted the Tour de France the most times: 77 times, as a start and/or finish town, Pau is inextricably linked to the Pyrenees,

It is from Pau that the peloton sets off, making way for the climbers as they head for the passes with their formidable names: Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque…
It is in Pau that the race stops off on the descent for a bit of a rest!

Everything you need to know about the Tour de France in Pau

The first winner in Pau in 1930 (the 8th edition of the Tour) was the Italian Alfredo Binda. It was also the stage on which the Frenchman André Leducq secured the yellow jersey for good. Bahamontes, Hinault (twice), Delgado, Chiappucci, Coppi, Rivière and Mastrotto, amongst others, have all had their names added to the list of winners in Pau! More recently, Pierrick Fédrigo in 2010 and Julian Alaphilippe in 2019 – on the very day of the yellow jersey’s centenary!

A museum enhanced by a website Scan the QR code

Each stele features a QR code. By scanning it, you can access the mobile site to enjoy audiovisual content – including videos from the INA – as well as all the translations.

An enhanced site featuring archives that are still very much alive!

Just a short walk away, take a stroll through the palm grove

Accessible and free of charge

The Tour des Géant:
Philippe Tissié Stadium, 64000 Pau
Free and open every day,
all year round.

With my dog

A museum to visit with Fido. Just grab a lead and off you go for a brisk walk!

Going for a walk in Pau with your dog

With the family

Fun for the whole family: The museum is interactive, with videos to watch, and children can even play hide-and-seek!

In the saddle

Why not take the opportunity to go for a bike ride around the station area and along the Gave!

Hire an electric bike

From the velodrome to the Tour des Géants

This museum is not here by chance: in the heart of the Bois-Louis, it was built on the site of the former velodrome, where the Tour de France used to finish. Pau’s old velodrome was built in 1901: the Véloce-Club clubhouse still stands as a reminder of this (although it is now known as the Villa Tissié). Alongside the velodrome were tennis courts, croquet pitches and boules courts. Cycling races and tennis championships were held here, drawing huge crowds!