Bike & climb: watch Watch Pablo Recourt search for the most beautiful 8a in France

Last winter Belgium's Pablo Recourt set off on his personal tour du France, by bike in search of the best 8a in the country. As the 24-year-old pedalled his way from one crag to the next, he realised not only that no such definitive list can exist, but also that the 174 days on the road and over 4000km under his saddle had changed him profoundly. A selection of some of the most beautiful 8a's he climbed is listed below, and his award-winning bike & climb documentary directed by Florent Quint is now online.

Les Ailes du désir - Gorges du Tarn
Orange mécanique - Cimaï
Fleur de rocaille - Mouriès
Accros aux Samsons - Roquevaire
Cobalt - Abattoir
Face de Péniche - Boffi
Momotus - Syratus
Hystérie - Biclop
Éternel présent - Pouilly
Thermofuel - Lérouville
Et Mourir de Plaisir - Céou
Rêve de Papillon - Buoux
Les dernières plantations du Christ - Cantobre
Dinosaure - Seynes
Little Big Boss - Gorges du Tarn
Contimental - Krappenfels
De la Terre à la Une - Kronthal
Top gun - le Thuit