This day is about endurance, not climbing. It’s a long stage of around 28 kilometres, but the terrain stays friendly: hills that come and go, nothing really steep.
You walk through woods, past maize fields and through small villages in the French countryside. It’s quiet. Sometimes you won’t see anyone for hours, apart from a dog behind a fence. The second half drags on, so pace yourself. Almost eight hours is a long time on your feet when your legs start to tire.
Then Orthez. You descend into the town and come out at the Gave de Pau. The old bridge with its tower is there, and the river flows quietly by beneath you.