Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping visiting the village of La Mongie

Under thick fog, the gendarmes block access to the Col du Tourmalet (Hautes-Pyrénées). Since May 6, it has been impossible to access the area where Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping will meet. In the village of La Mongie, where the two heads of state will have lunch, traders are impatiently preparing.

A visit that will benefit tourism?

A village that the head of state knows well. During the 2017 campaign, candidate Macron shared a meal there with local supporters. A peak in notoriety which had benefited the town’s tourism. So with two heads of state visiting, expectations are doubled. “The Chinese love to see everything that the president has seen (…) we are ready to welcome all the Chinese on the midday peak from the start of the season in June”, rejoices a trader. A highly anticipated visit which will take place under high security. Mongie should remain completely cut off from the world, at least until 5 p.m.