Chez Octave: The better Col du Tourmalet experience

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, former professional mountain biker Rémi Laffont decided to turn a long held dream into reality. Laffont founded Chez Octave, a four-floor bicycle shop built from scratch, located at the foot of the Col du Tourmalet in Bagnères-de-Bigorre. Also, at the summit of the legendary climb, he has given a new lease of life to a restaurant and a small exhibition area, creating places where cycling history and hospitality meet.

In Chez Octave Laffont has transformed an empty space into a warm, welcoming place that has become a destination for cyclists from around the world. Nafent went to visit Laffont in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and on the top of the Col du Tourmalet.

The project is very much a family one. Laffont’s mother, who once soothed his tired legs after long days on the bike, continues to support his dreams in a different way. She is now the convivial hostess of a beautifully renovated farmhouse that now welcomes guests seeking the beauty and tranquillity of the Pyrenees, called Le Relais de Pouzac.

Le Relais de Pouzac

The guesthouse reflects the family itself: simple, welcoming and personal. Guests are greeted on arrival, receive their keys directly from Cathy or Francis and start the day with a homemade breakfast.

Cathy, who used to massage Rémi’s legs after races and training rides, now spends her mornings baking fresh bread and preparing breakfast for visitors. Rémi’s father Francis played an important role in building Chez Octave, and still works there today. He cooks for both the bike shop in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and the restaurant on top of the Col du Tourmalet.

Running Le Relais de Pouzac and supporting Chez Octave is hard work, but it allows the family to continue doing what they enjoy while welcoming visitors from around the world.

The location is ideal for cyclists. From Le Relais de Pouzac, legendary climbs such as the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin and Luz Ardiden are all within easy reach, making it an excellent base for exploring the Pyrenees by bike.

Chez Octave

Similarly, his father helped design and build Chez Octave from the ground up, before stepping into the kitchen where he still prepares meals for visitors both at the shop in the valley and at the restaurant on the summit of the Tourmalet. Even today, he continues to cook with the same generosity and determination that helped bring his son’s dream to life.

Chez Octave is the continuation of a cyclist’s dream. Through it, Laffont has created a home for cyclists, a meeting place where stories are shared, friendships begin and the spirit of the Tourmalet lives on.

Laffont brings everything a rider needs together under one roof. Visitors can test Van Rysel and Corratec bicycles in the shop in town, browse a carefully selected range of cycling apparel and accessories, and rely on a professional workshop that offers fast repairs, often while they wait. The shop also serves as a welcoming meeting point, where cyclists can enjoy a coffee, local beer, fresh pastries, sandwiches or lunch before or after a ride, while following the latest races together in a carefully designed space on the top floor of the 3-floor building.

Community sits at the heart of Chez Octave. Regular social rides, whether they go up Chez Octave on the top of the Tourmalet, the Col d’Aspin, or elsewhere, bring people together. Runners also find Chez Octave a meeting point, as Laffont and his team organize community runs as well. Massage and coaching services help athletes perform at their best.

Everything is made possible by a team of passionate cyclists – Rémi, Bruno, Pierre, Laurent, Jeoffrey, Alex, among others – who understand the needs of riders because they share the same passion themselves, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.