Col de Marie-Blanque


Col de Marie-Blanque is a mountain pass in the western Pyrenees in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques in France. The pass is situated south-east of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and connects the valleys of the Aspe and the Ossau rivers.

Details of the climb

The western side of the climb, starts from Escot on the N134. The climb is long at an average gradient of 7.7%. Although relatively short, there are several long sections with gradients in excess of 11%.
From Louvie-Juzon, the climb is long. Over this distance, it gains at an average gradient of 4.1%. The climb proper starts at Bielle on the D934 from where it is long, gaining at an average gradient of 5.1%, with a maximum of 8.5% near the start. En route, the climb passes the Plateau de Bénou.

Tour de France

The pass was first used in the Tour de France in 1978 and has been crossed 14 times by the tour, including on stage 17 of the 2010 tour from Pau to the Col du Tourmalet.

Appearances in Tour de France

YearStageCategoryStartFinishLeader at the summit
2010171PauCol du Tourmalet
2007161OrthezGourette–Col d'Aubisque
2006101Cambo-les-BainsPau
2005161MourenxPau
2000101DaxHautacam
1996172Argelès-GazostPamplona
1995162TarbesPauStage neutralised
199221San SebastiánPau
1990171LourdesPau
198991PauCauterets
1987141PauLuz-Ardiden
1987131BayonnePau
1986121BayonnePau
1978102BiarritzPau