Macron followed the action from the red director’s car alongside race director Christian Prudhomme, after earlier visits to Lourdes and the Pic du Midi for regional engagements.
Pogačar claimed a decisive solo victory, attacking with 12km remaining to retake the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian rider’s move came despite a crash on the previous stage.
The president later praised the performances of French riders Bruno Armirail and Kévin Vauquelin, both of whom showed grit in demanding conditions.