Many years ago, we headed into the French Pyrenees to escape the heat of a spell that had hit southern Europe.
The strategy didn’t work. It was well over 100 degrees centigrade the two days we spent there. And it didn’t cool off much at night.
The Tour has stopped in Pau for many years. It has the feeling of being a sort of flower and fountain filled oasis in the heart of the mountains. Here is a peek:
Pau is no stranger to racing; it hosted the first ever car race to be called a grand prix in 1901.