What’s Alpe d’Huez most famous for? Sure skiing, the movie festival and it’s reputation as a sun-sure destination keep the crowds coming back year after year, but what one thing makes the resort truly famous? Why its road, of course!

Well, that might not be the obvious answer to the question but Alpe d’Heuz‘ access road, which climbs 1,120m (3670ft) from Bourg d’Oisans along 14km (9 miles) of tarmac with 21 hairpin bends and an average climb of 7.9% has made it’s name as one of the most famous stages in the Tour de France, making its first appearance in 1952.

Le Tour arrives in resort for Stage 19 on Friday 22nd July 2010 with the penultimate stage taking place the next day in Grenoble. Click here for the official website. A few weeks before the Tour, the tarmac of Alpe d’Huez gives professional cyclists a chance to warm-up for the main event, when the Critérium du Dauphiné passes through. The race provides spectators with a great opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest cyclists in action. Click here to watch last year’s footage.

On 2nd July 2011 La Marmotte, another world-renowned cycle race finishes in Alpe d’Huez. The route takes cyclists over four local mountain passes (cols): the Glandon (1,918m), Télégraphe (1,570m), Galibier (2,642m) and Lautaret (2,057m), finishing with an ascent of the 21 Bends. It’s quite a feat and will attract 7,000 professional and amateur participants this year.

But for those of you who’d rather take part than watch, I can’t offer you a place on a pro-team but you can set yourself against the clock and make your own timed ascent of the bends every Thursday at 10am during July and August. The experience costs just 5€ and registration takes place at the Tourist Office in Bourg d’Oisans.

For more general information and videos from Alpe d’Huez, click here.