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Géant du Tourmalet

Géant du Tourmalet is an iron sculpture by French artist Jean-Bernard Métais, created as part of the larger work La Grande Boucle. It commemorates the first crossing of the Col du Tourmalet during the 1910 Tour de France, when Octave Lapize was the leading rider. In June 1999, it was separated from La Grande Boucle and installed on the Col du Tourmalet. The sculpture is 3 metres high, 2.40 metres long, and weighs 350 kg. It is displayed on the mountain pass during the summer season, while in winter it is moved to the village of Gerde near Bagnères-de-Bigorre for protection.

Géant du Tourmalet statue of a naked cyclist on a bicycle beside two cyclists and a Tourmalet sign
The Géant du Tourmalet statue stands above cyclists at the Tourmalet summit.
June 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Géant du Tourmalet statue of a cyclist on a bicycle beside a stone wall with mountain slopes and a blue sky behind it.
The Géant du Tourmalet statue stands above Col du Tourmalet with mountain scenery in the background.
July 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Géant du Tourmalet sculpture of a nude cyclist on a bicycle with three real cyclists standing below.
The Géant du Tourmalet sculpture rises above three cyclists gathered beside the stone wall.
June 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Géant du Tourmalet sculpture of a nude male cyclist climbing on a bicycle, with the Col du Tourmalet sign below.
The Géant du Tourmalet sculpture stands at the Col du Tourmalet with mountain scenery in the background.
© · CC BY 3.0
Géant du Tourmalet sculpture of a cyclist climbing against rugged mountain peaks.
The Géant du Tourmalet sculpture stands at the Col du Tourmalet with the Pyrenees in the background.
September 2007 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Géant du Tourmalet statue of a muscular cyclist on a mountain overlook with snowy peaks in the background
The Géant du Tourmalet sculpture stands on a mountain pass with the Pyrenees stretching behind it.
June 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Le Géant du Tourmalet sculpture of a nude male cyclist climbing on a stone wall with mountains and blue sky behind it
Le Géant du Tourmalet sculpture overlooking a mountain slope beneath a blue sky.
July 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Géant du Tourmalet statue of a nude male cyclist pedaling on a bicycle, with real cyclists gathered around the base.
The Géant du Tourmalet monument depicts a nude male cyclist in motion, with cyclists gathered nearby on the hillside.
June 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Géant du Tourmalet statue of a cyclist beside a mountain restaurant, with cyclists and bikes in the foreground
The Géant du Tourmalet sculpture stands near a mountain restaurant, with cyclists gathered around it.
June 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Géant du Tourmalet statue mounted on a green utility truck on a winding mountain road, with cyclists in the distance.
The Géant du Tourmalet is shown mounted on a green truck as cyclists follow along the mountain road.
June 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleLe Géant
Alternative namesGéant du Tourmalet; The Giant of Tourmalet (Le Géant du Tourmalet)
NicknamesOctave le Géant; Octave
TypeSculpture; Monumental sculpture

Creator

ArtistJean-Bernard Métais
NationalityFrench

Historical context

Original workOriginally part of the larger sculpture La Grande Boucle (the Great Loop), created by Métais in 1995–1996
Original work locationDisplayed at a rest area on the French A64 motorway / freeway
Original work subjectRepresents the Tour de France in the French Pyrenees
Separated from original workJune 1999
Independent installationInstalled for the first time on the Col du Tourmalet in June 1999

Physical characteristics

DimensionsHeight: 3 m; Length: 2.40 m; Weight: 350 kg

Materials

MaterialIron

Appearance

Distinctive featureThe only rider from Le Tour de France in the Pyrenees shown 'in danseuse' (standing on the pedals)
Depicted poseStanding on the pedals ('en danseuse')
Depicted figureA cyclist / rider

Location and ownership

Summer display locationSummit of the Col du Tourmalet, France (2115 meters above sea level)
Winter display locationGerde, in the valley near Bagnères-de-Bigorre
Seasonal displayDisplayed only during the summer season; installed for part of the year
Tour de France display locationCol du Tourmalet, near the bust of Jacques Goddet and the plaque in memory of Jean-Raoul Paul

History and restoration

Winter storage reasonProtected from the weather and to prevent accidents; the pass is in the middle of a ski area / ski resort in winter
Annual eventMontée du Géant ('Ascent of the Giant') folk festival
Event dateEvery first Saturday in June
Event activityThe sculpture is transported / driven back to the summit on an open truck
Event processionThe truck is accompanied by more than one thousand cyclists
Event ceremonyAfter arriving at the summit, the sculpture is ceremonially installed / mounted in its summer location
InaugurationInaugurated in the presence of Bernard Hinault, Jean-François Pescheux, and Jean-Marie Leblanc
Nearby commemorative featuresA bust representing Jacques Goddet is located in the immediate vicinity; there is also a plaque in memory of Jean-Raoul Paul / Jean Paul, general director of the Compagnie du Midi