Col du Galibier: 6 Reasons This 2,642-Metre Pass Is the Soul of the Tour de France

The Col du Galibier sits at 2,642 metres in the French Alps, making it one of the highest paved roads in Europe and the highest point the Tour de France regularly crosses. It has appeared in the race more than 60 times since 1911. Here are 6 reasons why it remains the most important climb in professional cycling.

In this post

• 1. It has been in the Tour de France since 1911
• 2. It is the highest point the Tour de France regularly crosses
• 3. The climb from Valloire is one of the longest in the Alps
• 4. Andy Schleck's 60-kilometre solo in 2011
• 5. The Henri Desgrange monument
• 6. The view from the top
• FAQ

1. Why does the Col du Galibier matter historically?

The Tour de France first crossed the Col du Galibier in 1911, just nine years after the race was founded. The first rider over the summit that day was Emile Georget, and only three riders managed the ascent without getting off and walking their bikes. Introducing the Galibier was a deliberate act of ambition by Tour founder Henri Desgrange, who wanted to push the limits of what cyclists could endure in the mountains. The Galibier passed that test, and has been a cornerstone of the race ever since, appearing more than 60 times in the century that followed.

2. How high is the Col du Galibier and why does altitude matter?

The summit sits at 2,642 metres above sea level, making the Galibier the eighth highest paved road in the Alps and the highest point the Tour de France crosses with any regularity. At that altitude, the air contains roughly 27% less oxygen than at sea level. Riders at the summit are working at their physiological limits, and the cold, thin air adds an additional layer of difficulty to the final kilometres. On sunny days in July, conditions at the summit can shift from warm to near-freezing within minutes as weather fronts roll in. The Galibier tests not just legs, but acclimatisation, pacing and racing intelligence.

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3. How long is the Col du Galibier from Valloire?

From Valloire on the north side, the climb covers 18 kilometres with 1,245 metres of elevation gain at an average gradient of 7%. The upper section, above the Col du Telegraphe junction, is where the road becomes genuinely severe. Riders approaching from the south via Briancon face a shorter but steeper challenge on the Lautaret side. Most Tour de France editions tackle the Galibier as part of a longer Alpine stage, meaning the mountain is often climbed after 150 kilometres or more are already in the legs. That context changes the calculation entirely, turning a hard climb into something closer to survival.

4. What happened on the Galibier in 2011?

The 2011 Tour de France crossed the Col du Galibier twice in a single stage, marking the 100th anniversary of the first Tour ascent. The second crossing included the first ever summit finish at the Galibier, the highest stage finish in Tour de France history. Andy Schleck attacked with 60 kilometres still to race, a move of extraordinary boldness in the modern peloton, and held off the entire GC group to win alone at the summit. It remains one of the most celebrated stage wins of the past two decades, and confirmed that the Galibier still has the power to produce something genuinely unexpected.

5. What is the Henri Desgrange monument on the Galibier?

Near the south portal of the summit tunnel, a stone monument commemorates Henri Desgrange, the journalist who founded the Tour de France in 1903 and directed the race for its first three decades. The monument was inaugurated in 1949, and every time the Tour crosses the Galibier, a wreath is laid there. Desgrange chose the Galibier specifically because he believed the Alps were the ultimate test of a cyclist's character. The monument is a reminder that the Galibier is not just a geographical feature of the race but the physical embodiment of its founding vision. Desgrange himself described the Galibier as the most impressive part of the Tour.

6. What can you see from the top of the Col du Galibier?

On a clear day, the summit offers views across the Ecrins massif to the south, the Vanoise to the north and, depending on conditions, peaks extending into Switzerland and Italy. The road at the summit is narrow, the wind is almost constant and the temperature can drop sharply from the valley below. For cyclists who make the climb on a private ride rather than a race day, the summit is a genuinely affecting experience. The combination of altitude, effort, history and landscape makes it unlike any other place you can reach on a bicycle in Europe.

Frequently asked questions about the Col du Galibier

How high is the Col du Galibier?

The Col du Galibier summit is 2,642 metres above sea level. It is one of the highest paved roads in the Alps and the highest point the Tour de France crosses with any regularity.

When did the Col du Galibier first appear in the Tour de France?

The Galibier was first used in the Tour de France in 1911. Emile Georget was the first rider over the summit, and only three of the field managed the ascent without walking. The climb has appeared in the race more than 60 times since.

How long is the Col du Galibier from Valloire?

From Valloire on the north side, the climb is 18 kilometres with 1,245 metres of elevation gain at an average gradient of 7%. The road climbs through several exposed sections before reaching the summit.

Has the Tour de France ever finished at the top of the Galibier?

Yes. The first and only summit finish at the Col du Galibier took place in 2011, as part of the centenary celebrations of its first Tour appearance. Andy Schleck won the stage after a solo attack from 60 kilometres out. It was the highest stage finish in Tour de France history.

Who was Henri Desgrange and why is there a monument on the Galibier?

Henri Desgrange founded the Tour de France in 1903 and directed the race for its first three decades. He introduced the Galibier to the Tour in 1911, believing the Alps were the ultimate test of a cyclist. A stone monument to him stands near the summit, and a wreath is laid there every time the Tour crosses the pass.