Col d'Aubisque
| Col d'Aubisque | |
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The Col d'Aubisque, on the road towards Gourette and the Ossau Valley
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| Elevation | 1,709 m (5,607 ft) |
| Traversed by | D918 |
| Location | Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France |
| Range | Pyrenees |
| Coordinates | 42°58′36″N 0°20′23″W / 42.97667°N 0.33972°WCoordinates: 42°58′36″N 0°20′23″W / 42.97667°N 0.33972°W |
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The Col d'Aubisque (Occitan: Còth d'Aubisca) (elevation 1,709 m (5,607 ft)) is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees 30 km (19 mi) south of Tarbes and Pau in the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the Aquitaine region of France.
The pass is on the northern slopes of the Pic de Ger (2,613 m (8,573 ft)) and connects Laruns, in the valley of the Gave d'Ossau, via Eaux-Bonnes (west) to Argelès-Gazost, in the valley of the Gave de Pau, via the Col du Soulor (east). The road crosses the Cirque du Litor, in the upper part of the Ouzom valley. It is generally closed from December to June.
The pass is starting point of excursions and a centre for winter sports. In summer, it is popular with cyclists. It is regularly part of the Tour de France, generally rated an hors catégorie climb.
The summit of the col is marked by a commemorative plaque to André Bach (1888–1945), a member of Legion of Honour and President of the Cyclo Club of Béarn (C.C.B.). André Bach was mutilated during World War 1 when he lost his left arm in 1916. In 1943 he was deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, and he died in May 1945 at Boulay-Moselle while returning home. The stele was inaugurated on 26 September 1948, and every year is the focus of a memorial ride.
The inscription reads:
André Bach 1888-1945
Officier de la Légion d'honneur
Grand mutilé - Président du C.C.B. - Mort en Déportation
Pour perpétuer son souvenir en ce lieu qu'il aimait tant
Ses amis Les Cyclotouristes du C.C.B. 1948
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