Do you enjoy cycling? Spot on. The Ariège loves cycling – so much so that it’s even made it its slogan. Whether it’s mountain biking, e-biking or BMX, for leisure or sport, on the plains, along greenways, on country roads and mountain passes, or even following in the wake of the Tour de France®… there’s something for everyone.
Major races are held every year in the department
- At the end of June, the Ariégeoise – a legendary race that celebrated its 25th anniversary – brings together nearly 5,000 runners across several routes, including an Ariégeoise XXL route launched in 2016.
- The Ronde de l’Isard, running since 1977, is one of the leading races for young hopefuls and features four days of racing with mountain stage finishes.
- Not to mention the Casartelli, a 100 km cyclosportive with nearly 3,000 metres of elevation gain through the Couserans. On 18 July 1995, during the descent of the Col d’Aspet, Fabio Casartelli, aged 25, lost his life in a crash. Since then, the UCI has made wearing a helmet compulsory in races. Every year, amateur cyclists pay tribute to him at the memorial bearing his name, whilst a memorial stone has been erected on the descent of the pass.
Ariège: a major stop on the Tour de France ®
And then, of course, there is the Tour de France®, which has a long-standing love affair with Ariège and has set numerous ‘firsts’ in the department. Since its first visit in 1910, there have been 42 stages – either starts or finishes – in the Ariège Pyrenees.
- In 1998, it was in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, on 24 July, that the riders dismounted and set off two hours behind schedule on the Tarascon–Cap d’Agde stage.
- On 15 July 2012, as the riders were about to tackle the Col de Péguère – also known as ‘the wall’ (at 1,375 m) – for the first time, upholstery tacks scattered across the road caused around thirty punctures and made the front pages of the newspapers.
- On 16 July 2015, the finish at the Plateau de Beille (1,790 m) took place in conditions described as “hellish”, with torrential rain, strong winds and hail.
- On 14 July 2017, a 100-kilometre stage, 100% in the Ariège, took place between St Girons and Foix. A treat immortalised by France Télévision’s on-board cameras.
- On 21 July 2019, for the first time in its history, the Tour de France® will finish at a site completely free of any buildings: the Prat d’Albis (1,211 m) above Foix. A challenge for ASO and the host towns.
A few mountain passes (or passes) well-known to cyclists
- At 2,001 metres, Pailhères is the highest road pass in the Ariège department. It was climbed by Tour de France® riders on five occasions between 2003 and 2013.
- Col de Port: 1,250 metres above sea level.
- Col d’Agnes: 1,570 metres above sea level.
- Port de Lhers at 1,517 metres above sea level.
Two greenways in Ariège
Two greenways cross the Ariège from east to west. The first runs from St Girons to Foix (or from Foix to St Girons) and follows the old railway line. It stretches for 40 kilometres and passes over pretty bridges and restored engineering structures. The second, in Cathar country, links Lavelanet to Mirepoix, with a brief detour into the Aude. 38 kilometres and some very beautiful stops in charming villages.
Text: Cécile Dupont, journalist.
Ideas for circular walks to discover here:
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