The Louron Valley
The Louron Valley
WALKS AND TREKS
The GR10 footpath traverses the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, it passes through the Louron valley by the Col d’Azet and the Esquerry valley through the villages of Loudenvielle and Germ. It also allows one to discover both sides of the Louron valley.
Lac de Bordères
In times past Bareilles was the name given to the communities of the valley including the villages of Is, Pouy and Gedre. A way-marked path follows this valley climbing to the Borderes lake at 1760m of altitude on the edge of the high mountain zone. This very deep lake is fed by a subterranean source.
Mont Saint Calixte
The Saint Calixte church is the finest example of Romanesque art in the Louron and dates from the eleventh century, it is dedicated to an Aragonese martyr. Legend has it that this Spanish nobleman and his companion Mercurial (honoured in Vielle Louron) died helping the Louron people fight the Moors. The Romanesque church at Mont has remarkable frescos from the sixteenth century including a superb representation of hell on the façade. The church is classified as a historical monument.
SPAS AND WELLBEING - Balnéa
In a world of pure natural beauty enjoy all the pleasures of natural spa waters : relaxation and leisure activities in a lagoon at 33C, hammans, relax with the family in our American Indian area, personalised treatments. The Balnea restaurant offers a healthy and tasty range of dishes.
Balnéa Spa centre in Genos-Loudenvielle
Tél : 0 891 70 19 19
Balnéa, spa treatments from around the world
THRILLS
Realise mankind’s oldest dream… to fly, either paragliding or hand gliding, let yourself be carried by the wind and discover the countryside from the air. For those that prefer to stay on the ground discover our mountain-biking trails, whether down-hilling or with a gentle tour of the valley, there are 110 kms of way marked mountain bike trails with 25 different circuits offering every choice from easy beginners trails to sporty routes for experienced riders - forest trails, single track, high mountain traverses, through wide open spaces. The chosen circuits are adapted for all.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Ludeo
Open air swimming pool with jet pools, toboggans, childrens area.
Open from 30 June to 2 September, everyday from 11h to 19 h.
Tél : 05 62 49 19 19
Ludic park
Pony rides, inflatables, trampoline, quad bikes for adults.
Tél : 05 62 99 95 25 ou 06 23 92 75 24
Email : cathyforgue@tele2.fr or cathyforgue@wanadoo.fr
Treetop Adventure Park
15 circuits for kids, 20 for adults
Tél : 06.88.83.39.68 / 06.77.66.80.41
LOCAL HERITAGE
The Saoussas watermill
Following the revolution and to cater for the needs of the inhabitants of the Louron valley a watermill was constructed close to the village of Loudenvielle. This now houses a farm park where your children can meet the farm animals, which live in total freedom, there is also trout fishing.
Guided visits in July and August from 10h30 to 12h and from 16h to18h30
G. Martin
65510 LOUDENVIELLE
Tél : 05.62.99.64.17 ou 05.62.99.90.50
L’Arixo
Visitor centre is dedicated to the history of the Louron valley (villages, local traditions, religious art using the latest technologies- slide shows, sons et lumières, models, film shows. There is an area dedicated to the important religious art of the valley, a room explaining the human development and life style and skills of the valley, typical peasant houses of bygone eras, an Italian theatre showing daily life of a family in the fourteenth century.
There is a choice of an independent interactive visit or a personalised interactive and animated tour.
Arixo in the Louron valley, 65510 LOUDENVIELLE
Tél : 05 62 99 97 70 ou 05 62 99 68 02
Email : arixo@wanadoo.fr