The Grand Tourmalet

You will love

• A territory of high intensity, vitality and breathtaking landscapes
• The Col du Tourmalet, the famous pass crossed by the Tour de France
• The Pic du Midi: an observatory and a breathtaking view
• Bareges has a traditional pastoral culture and a lot of mountain itineraries
• Have a gentle walk aroud Payolle Lake

Places to see

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre
At 2877m of altitude the Pic offers an uninterrupted view over the whole range, the plains of SW France, and even towards the Massif Central, all to be enjoyed from the 750m2 viewing terrace. Since 1880 it has been an important astronomical observatory. At the museum, which is the highest in Europe, you can discover the human history of the Pic, the solar system, the stars. Access is by cable car from La Mongie. One can even spend a night at the summit and it is possible to descend in winter on skis and in summer by mountain bike.
The Pic du Midi

The Col du Tourmalet
At 2115m it is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees, from the Col the views westerly towards the Bastan valley and to the east over the Gripp valley are spectacular. It is one of the mythical Tour de France climbs.

Spa and wellbeing - Aquensis and Cieléo

Aquensis in Bagnères-de-Bigore
In an exceptional setting of wood, glass and marble the centre with its naturally hot thermal waters offers the perfect place to relax, you can also choose personalised treatments. The hamman (Turkish baths) takes you on a voyage to the Orient, unwind and relax in the Jacuzzis on the terrace and admire the Pyrenean scenery.
Aquensis spa centre

Cieléo in Barèges
Between amusement, contemplation and body treatments, the blues of the sky and the blues of the waters will illuminate your visit : pools with jets, high pressure showers, geysers, massage baths, cold and hot wells… saunas, hammans, jacuzzis, all delicately protected beneath a glass dome offering a wonderful view over the mountains.
Cieléo spa centre 

Walks and treks

A huge variety of routes with the Pic du Midi always on the horizon, the Néouvielle nature reserve, Lac Bleu, the Plateau de Lumière, Lac de Payolle, explore this magnificent pastoral setting. A veritable Garden of Eden for strolls and treks, both in the valleys and the high mountains.

The GR10: cross Pyrenean footpath passes through Bareges on the route between Luz Saint Sauveur and the Néouvielle lake region.

Thrills

Mountain Biking
There are 100’s of kilometres of graded and way marked MTB trails in both the Campan and Bareges valleys. This a recognised MTB area by the French Cycling Federation.

Descent on mountain bike of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre
Expert down hillers will adore the fantastic descent from the Pic in a magnificent high mountain setting with more than 1800m of descent to the valley. Be warned and be careful!- you are in the high mountains - the route, whilst easy enough to follow, is neither way marked nor supervised.

Local heritage

The Médous grotto
Stalactites, stalagmites, cascades of calcite resembling waterfalls, curtains, organ pipes, weird and wonderful architectural shapes. The visit includes an 200m underwater boat ride.

Barèges-Gavarnie lamb and mutton
The ‘Barégeoise‘ is a local and ancient race of sheep, adapted to a mountain environment over centuries and much appreciated for its flavour. At the Saint Michel festival at the end of September each year crowds flock to Luz Saint Sauveur to enjoy this superb product, it is cooked on open air barbeques around the village. "Barèges-Gavarnie" has recently been given AOC status.

Pyrenean Botanical Conservatory
The role of the conservatory is to preserve and protect the Pyrenean flora, rich in endemic species. A botanical museum allows the public to admire and understand the Pyrenean flora.