Cauterets is a bright and lively centre. A mix of modernity and “Belle Epoque buildings”, a vast choice of walks and more, eight kilometres, several hairpin bends, and numerous cascades later, is Pont d’Espagne, the start of more walks in the National Park and the Lac de Gaube (1728m).
Leisure activities
Le Pavillon des abeilles
Discover the wonderful world of the bee and all the benefits of natural honey products - wellbeing, beauty products and delicious mountain honey. There are workshops to discover this fascinating world and a boutique.
Spa and Wellbeing - The Bains du Rocher
Relaxing and tonic - the new Bains du Rocher spa baths : baths with air jets, pool with hydro jets, sauna, massages, remodelling, mud treatments…
The Bains du Rocher spa centre
Walks and treks
There are 110 kms of well maintained and way marked footpaths that start from the village itself.
Pont d’Espagne
At the very heart of the National Park Pont d’Espagne is an exceptional area of great natural beauty, giving access to the Cayan plateau and the Marcadau valley. At 7 kms from Cauterets you will discover waterfalls, rushing streams, and lakes with a remarkable flora and fauna, all strictly protected.
Lac de Gaube
The site inspired many of the great romantic poets. Marvel at the reflection of the mighty Vignemale (3298m), often seen as the birthplace of Pyrenean exploration. For access to this majestic site you can choose between way marked trails or cable car and a chairlift, which are open each year from May to October.
The GR10
The GR10 long distance footpath crosses the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the stages through Cauterets from the Ilheou lake and the Vignemale and on towards Gavarnie are possibly the most spectacular of the whole traverse.
The Cirque de Lys cable car
The cable car and Grand Barbat chairlift take you effortlessly and silently from 935m to 2450m of altitude. From the Cirque de Lys ridge the panorama is breathtaking.
Thrills
There are 110 kms of well maintained and way marked footpaths that start from the village itself.
Pont d’Espagne
At the very heart of the National Park Pont d’Espagne is an exceptional area of great natural beauty, giving access to the Cayan plateau and the Marcadau valley. At 7 kms from Cauterets you will discover waterfalls, rushing streams, and lakes with a remarkable flora and fauna, all strictly protected.
Lac de Gaube
The site inspired many of the great romantic poets. Marvel at the reflection of the mighty Vignemale (3298m), often seen as the birthplace of Pyrenean exploration. For access to this majestic site you can choose between way marked trails or cable car and a chairlift, which are open each year from May to October.
The GR10
The GR10 long distance footpath crosses the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the stages through Cauterets from the Ilheou lake and the Vignemale and on towards Gavarnie are possibly the most spectacular of the whole traverse.
The Cirque de Lys cable car
The cable car and Grand Barbat chairlift take you effortlessly and silently from 935m to 2450m of altitude. From the Cirque de Lys ridge the panorama is breathtaking.
Local heritage
The Station
The station is classified as an important historical monument. This very original building which appears as if from an American Western was actually constructed in 1898 and inaugurated in 1901. The building is 50m in length and is entirely constructed in pitch pine. Today it is mainly used for concerts and shows.
The ‘Grand Epoque’ grand hotels
Cauterets has conserved many remnants of its past, notably many fine examples of typical 19th century architecture. Numerous huge and impressive buildings, as was the custom to build at the time, have been preserved. The most important hotels of the town (the Grand Hôtel d'Angleterre, the Grand Hôtel Continental, etc.) were constructed towards the end of the 1800’s by the same architect from Pau. It provides a great unity of style, that of a new style of construction familiar to the great cities, Paris and Bordeaux in particular : monumental facades decorated with balconies and statues, female figurines, grand salons, immense dining rooms illuminated by chandeliers, ornate mirrors.