The pass is on the slopes of Puy Mary (1,787 m) and is situated at the junction of three roads: The pass is regularly used on the Tour de France, most recently in the 2020 tour.

The pass was first used in the 1959 Tour de France, on the 231 km stage 14 from Aurillac to Clermont Ferrand, with Louis Bergaud first across the summit.

In the 2004 tour, the pass was used on stage 10 from Limoges to Saint-Flour, approaching from the Salers direction which includes a final three kilometres at an average of 12% and a maximum gradient of 15%, with Richard Virenque first over the summit.

The same ascent was used as the finish of stage 13 in the 2020 Tour de France, which was won by Daniel Martínez.

The Tour de France has crossed or finished at the summit 11 times since 1947.