Stage 13 Spectator’s Guide to Loudenvielle & Peyragudes
Still planning to watch Stage 13? No worries—whether you’ve got a free Friday or need to juggle work, we’ve got you covered. From couch viewing to cheering trackside with your partner, we’ll get you front-row access to every climb, sprint, and heart-stopping moment.
To fully experience this thrilling ITT, you’ll need a foolproof plan to catch every second of the action. From the steep climbs of Loudenvielle to the dramatic finish at Peyragudes, we’ll guide you through every strategic viewing spot along this explosive 11km route.
Before heading out to experience this stage, prepare thoroughly—mountain weather shifts fast. Pack waterproof layers, warm gear, and sun protection to stay ready for sudden storms or scorching climbs. Check the forecast, but expect the unexpected!
🏙️ Best Spots to Watch the Race
📍 Start Town: Loudenvielle
A picture-perfect Pyrénéan lakeside village that comes alive on Tour day. This is no sleepy hamlet today — it’s a full-on cycling carnival.
Fan Hotspots:
- Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle promenade:
Morning warm-ups happen here. Grab a coffee from Chez Pierrot and watch the TT rigs roll out to their shakedowns. - Avenue des Thermes:
Start ramp is here — get a spot near Bar de la Neste, order a Jurançon blanc, and soak in that pre-race tension. Big GC boys will roll down the ramp one after another.
🍴 Must-Try Local Treat:
- Garbure (hearty meat & veg stew) at L’Auberge Lou Casteu
- Pyrénées cheese plate at La Guinguette du Lac
🎺 Fan Tip:
Get there by 9 AM — roads close early and parking’s tighter than a sprinter’s skinsuit.
📍 Climb Section: Col de Peyresourde Approach (km 6.5–10)
You want drama? This is where GC time gaps open up like an overcooked croissant.
Fan Hotspots:
- La Serre des Bouquès hairpins:
Double hairpin with tight barriers. The sound of cowbells and basque drums here will rattle your teeth. - Bordères viewpoint:
Unreal valley views + team cars screaming splits over radios.
🎺 Insider’s Hack:
The official bike swap zone at km 6.5 is madness. Position yourself 50m past the swap line to catch riders hitting the climb at full tilt, panic written across faces.
📍 Finish at Peyragudes Altiport (11 km mark)
This place is cycling mythology. The same Altiport ramp where Chris Froome lost the stage in 2017 to Bardet after cracking on the final wall.
Fan Hotspots:
- Top 300m of the Altiport Wall:
16% gradient. No barriers. Fans so close they’ll wipe sweat off helmets. Only place where GC battles happen right in your lap. - Altiport Bar Terrace:
Beer, tapas, and giant screens. You’ll see the mountain live and on screen, while crowds lose their minds.
🎺 Pro Fan Tip:
Hike up via the VTT trail to avoid road closures. Takes 45 min but worth every calf burn.
🍷 Bonus: Local Delicacies & Drinks
- Madiran red wine — grab a glass at Peyragudes finish line chalet
- Pounti cake — dried fruits and sausage loaf (trust me)
- Broyé du Poitou — crisp, buttery biscuit with a shot of local Armagnac
🚗 Transport & Access
- Road Closures:
Full lock-down from 10 AM. Use shuttle buses from Arreau or arrive by foot. - Parking:
Park in Génos or Bordères-Louron, then walk or shuttle.3 - Public Screen Zones:
Loudenvielle village square, Col de Peyresourde summit café, and Peyragudes Altiport terrace.
🥁 Final Fan Advice:
This ain’t a stage you watch on TV. You live it. The sound of disc wheels on tarmac, the last 500m crowd frenzy, and post-race GC reshuffles — it’s a goosebump factory.
If you’ve got one day to go full Tour lunatic… make it this one.
How to Watch Stage 13 Live + Global Broadcast Times & Streams 🔴
This ain’t your average flatland stage — this is a high-stakes, leg-breaking, soul-snatching mountain time trial to Peyragudes. Every pedal stroke matters, and you’re gonna want eyes on every second. Here’s your armchair director sportif’s viewing plan:
🌍 Direct Global Broadcast Times:
📍 City | ⏰ Start Time (Rider 1 Off) | ⏳ Estimated Final Rider |
|---|---|---|
Paris | 1:05 PM (CET) | 4:25 PM (CET) |
London | 12:05 PM (BST) | 3:25 PM (BST) |
New York | 7:05 AM (EDT) | 10:25 AM (EDT) |
Sydney | 9:05 PM (AEST) | 12:25 AM (AEST) |
⏳ Final rider (GC leader) expected on course around 4:10 PM CET.
Where to Watch
🇫🇷 France:
France TV Sport 2 / 3
FranceTV.fr (free live stream)
🇬🇧 UK:
Eurosport 1
Discovery+ app
🇺🇸 USA:
NBC Sports / Peacock (live & replay)
GCN+ (International Pass option)
🇦🇺 Australia:
SBS Viceland
SBS On Demand
🌍 Everywhere Else:
GCN+ International — hands down the best bet for full wire-to-wire coverage, multi-language commentary, and slick rider tracker.
🎙️ Best Commentators for This One
- Rob Hatch & Dan Lloyd (GCN+): Pro insight + cheeky one-liners = essential listening.
- Thierry Adam (France TV): French-flavoured drama, old-school hyperbole, and pure passion.
- Anthony McCrossan (Tour Radio English feed): For fans on the roadside with earpieces or apps.
👀 Fan Tips
⚠️ Don’t Miss:
- GC leader’s start ramp time — the yellow jersey showdown is everything.
- The 16% Peyragudes ramp. TV helicopter shots here are jaw-dropping.
- Any GC guy who cracks early — gaps explode on the steep stuff.
🍻 Snack & Sip Pairing:
Madiran red wine + Croustade aux pommes (local apple pastry). Tour-approved indulgence.
🎧 Best Song to Blast at Start Ramp:
AC/DC — Thunderstruck. Trust me, the vibes are immaculate.
Stage 13 FAQs
This stage ain’t about finesse — it’s about grit. The kind you can smell, taste, and feel in your legs as you watch them claw up those final switchbacks. If you’ve ever dreamed of watching a Tour stage where pain tells the story, this is your front row seat.
Tour de France? Nah — Tour de Suffering, Stage 13 edition.
