An Interview With Three Italian Backpackers Who Crossed The Pyrenees And Accidentally Ran Into The Tour de France

GAVARNIE-GÉDRE, France — Millions of people travel to the Tour de France every year, almost all of them on purpose.

This is the story of three people who did so by accident.

While waiting for the riders to make their way up to Gavarnie-Gédre for the finish of Stage 6, I took a little stroll out to see the https://www.valleesdegavarnie.com/en/en-plein-air/visiter-le-cirque-de-gavarnie/">Cirque du Gavarnie.

The beautiful glacial amphitheater houses the tallest waterfall in mainland France, and the final climb of Thursday's racing made up for its unselective profile by at least finishing in an incredible atmosphere.

After taking a little cool-off dip in a crisp stream made pearlescent by eroded minerals, I spotted three people who definitely didn't belong.

Antonio, Teresana, and Federico were decked out in backpacking gear, talking to a local official, and displaying the universal body language of people who have found themselves in a Bit Of A Situation.

I knew I had to talk to these guys.

They seemed fun, and like they had a story.

Both turned out to be correct.