guide
This guide covers the major sites of the Hautes-Pyrénées: the Lourdes sanctuary, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the Tourmalet pass, the UNESCO-listed Cirque de Gavarnie, the Saint-Lary-Soulan resort and the Balnéa thermal baths, Lake Génos-Loudenvielle, Cauterets and the Pont d'Espagne, as well as the Pyrenees animal park and the Bétharram caves. Each site comes with prices and practical tips for organising a family mountain stay.
The Hautes-Pyrénées is one of the most spectacular departments of France – a territory of high peaks, high-altitude lakes and spiritual sites that concentrates some of the greatest must-see sites of the Pyrenees: the sanctuary of Lourdes, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Cirque de Gavarnie classified by UNESCO, the ski resorts of Saint-Lary-Soulan, the Balnéa thermal baths, the Bétharram caves and the Pyrenees animal park of Argelès-Gazost. What to do in the Hautes-Pyrénées means choosing between the spiritual contemplation of Lourdes, the adventure of hiking to the bottom of the Cirque de Gavarnie, mountain activities at Tourmalet Pass and vacations in the heart of nature along Génos-Loudenvielle Lake or Payolle Lake. This complete guide to the Hautes-Pyrénées reveals everything to you – prices, hours, tips and secrets from locals – for unforgettable vacations in the Pyrenees.
Lourdes is the most visited city in France after Paris – this major pilgrimage site in the Hautes-Pyrénées attracts 5 to 6 million pilgrims and tourists from all five continents each year for the sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, the Massabielle caves and the 1858 apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous. The domain of the Lourdes sanctuaries (free access, open 24/7) includes the underground basilica of Saint-Pius X (25,000 people), the Rosary Basilica and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception – a unique architectural ensemble in France and in the world. The most emblematic photo of Lourdes is taken from the procession esplanade in the evening, when thousands of candles illuminate the basilicas.
Bernadette Soubirous, the young shepherdess born in Lourdes in 1844 who received 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the Massabielle cave, is at the heart of Lourdes history – the Lacade mill (birthplace of Bernadette) and the cachot (where the Soubirous family lived in 1858) are two essential visits to understand the human story behind the Lourdes sanctuary. The Lourdes Museum (4 euros adult) traces the history of the city and the apparitions with faithful reconstructions of 19th century Lourdes.
Claire’s tip: The torchlit procession at Lourdes takes place every evening at 9 p.m. from June to September – a ceremony of breathtaking beauty attended by thousands of pilgrims of all nationalities. It’s free, open to all, and it’s one of the most moving experiences in the Hautes-Pyrénées, regardless of your beliefs. Peak attendance is early July and mid-August – come in May or September for Lourdes without the crowds.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 m) is the most spectacular astronomical observation site in the Pyrenees – its century-old astronomical observatory and cable car station (departing from La Mongie, station of Tourmalet) make it one of the most extraordinary destinations in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The ascent to Pic du Midi by cable car (28 euros adult, 18 euros child, 15 min duration) offers a 360-degree panorama of the Spanish and French Pyrenees on clear days – from the summit of Pic du Midi de Bigorre, you can see all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and Spain. Pic du Midi also offers astronomical nights (120-150 euros per person, 6 months advance booking) – a unique experience in the world to observe the stars from a professional observatory at 2,877 m altitude in the Pyrenees.
Tourmalet Pass (2,115 m), 10 km from Pic du Midi de Bigorre, is the highest mountain pass in the French Pyrenees and one of the most famous passes of the Tour de France – its photo with the statue of the Giant of Tourmalet is essential for cycling enthusiasts. The climb up Tourmalet from Bagnères-de-Bigorre (heading east) or from Luz-Saint-Sauveur (heading west) is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the Hautes-Pyrénées – to do by bike if you’re courageous, or by car to enjoy the views.
The Cirque de Gavarnie is one of the most grandiose landscapes in Europe and a Grand Site of France classified by UNESCO – this 14 km diameter glacial cirque in the Pyrenees National Park, on the Franco-Spanish border, is home to the highest waterfall in France (the Grand Cascade of Gavarnie, 423 m) and rock faces rising to 3,000 m. The Cirque de Gavarnie hike (departing from the village of Gavarnie, 9 km round trip, 3 hours, easy) is one of the most frequented hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées – accessible to all walkers, even without special equipment. The village of Gavarnie is 52 km from Lourdes and 20 km from Luz-Saint-Sauveur – allow 45 minutes from most campsites in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
In the Cirque de Gavarnie, the climb to the foot of the Grand Cascade takes 4.5 hours round trip from the village – bring hiking boots and water (altitude and mountain sun in the Pyrenees dehydrate quickly). Roland’s Breach (2,807 m), accessible from the Sarradets refuge (staffed refuge, 35 euros per night), is the most spectacular excursion in the Cirque de Gavarnie for experienced hikers.
Saint-Lary-Soulan is the most complete ski and mountain resort in the Hautes-Pyrénées – its 100 km of slopes (skiable area from 2,450 m to 1,700 m), modern ski lifts and authentic village make it the preferred resort for families for vacations in the Pyrenees. The Balnéa thermal baths of Saint-Lary-Soulan are the largest mountain thermal baths in the French Pyrenees (4 hectares of indoor and outdoor pools with views of the mountains, 28 euros adult entry) – an essential stop in the Hautes-Pyrénées to relax after a day of hiking or skiing. In summer, Saint-Lary transforms into an idyllic mountain village for outdoor activities: mountain biking, canyoning in the Rioumajou gorge, and hikes to the high-altitude lakes of the Pyrenees.
Génos-Loudenvielle Lake (commune of Loudenvielle, 10 km from Saint-Lary) is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Hautes-Pyrénées – its turquoise waters bordered by pine forests and fine sand beach make it the most sought-after swimming and water sports site in the Louron valley. Génos-Loudenvielle Lake offers paddle boats, kayaks, stand-up paddle and a supervised beach in July-August – a perfect activity for families in the Pyrenees. The thermal baths of Loudenvielle complete the wellness offerings of the Louron valley, 5 minutes from Lake Génos.
Cauterets, 30 km from Lourdes, is the emblematic thermal and mountain sports resort of the Hautes-Pyrénées – its thermal baths (thermal cures, wellness treatments) and immediate access to the Pyrenees National Park make it an ideal base for mountain activities. Pont d’Espagne (accessible from Cauterets by road and by chairlift, 5 euros adult) is the departure point for the most popular hike in the Hautes-Pyrénées – the trail that climbs from Pont d’Espagne to Gaube Lake (1,750 m, 1.5 hours one way) offers spectacular views of waterfalls and forests in the Pyrenees National Park. Gaube Lake itself, with the Vignemale (3,298 m, highest French mountain in the Pyrenees) as a backdrop, is one of the most emblematic photos of the Hautes-Pyrénées.
Payolle Lake, 20 km from Bagnères-de-Bigorre on the Tourmalet route, is another lake in the Hautes-Pyrénées highly appreciated for fishing, hikes and vacations in unspoiled nature – its setting of forests and high-altitude meadows at 1,100 m is ideal for a picnic in the Pyrenees with children.
The Pyrenees animal park at Argelès-Gazost (15 km from Lourdes) is one of the best family activities in the Hautes-Pyrénées – its 600 mountain animals (brown bears of the Pyrenees, chamois, bearded vultures, wolves, lynx, ibex) evolve in semi-natural enclosures over 6 hectares. Adult entry 15 euros, child 9.50 euros. The Pyrenees animal park of Argelès-Gazost is open April to November – an essential activity to discover the fauna of the Pyrenees with children during vacations in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Argelès-Gazost is also known for the mountain road leading up to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and for the Bergons and Lutour waterfalls.
The Bétharram caves, 12 km from Lourdes on the road to Pau, are one of the most beautiful underground cavities in the Pyrenees – 5 levels of galleries over 2.5 km (mandatory guided tour, 14.50 euros adult, 10.50 euros child, 1.5 hour duration) crossed on foot, by boat and by rail in rooms decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The Bétharram caves are accessible year-round and constitute an ideal activity in rainy weather in the Pyrenees.
Bagnères-de-Bigorre is the oldest thermal resort in the Hautes-Pyrénées – its historic thermal baths, casino and 19th century mansions testify to a past of aristocratic vacation retreats in the Pyrenees. Bagnères-de-Bigorre is also the starting point for the climb to Tourmalet Pass and Pic du Midi de Bigorre – allow 30 km from Bagnères to the summit of Tourmalet. The city has a casino, restaurants and an animated weekly market (Tuesday and Saturday mornings) offering local products of the Hautes-Pyrénées: sheep cheeses, Bayonne hams, wines from the foothills of the Pyrenean region.
Tarbes is the capital of the Hautes-Pyrénées and the gateway to the department – its Massey Museum (weapons collections, French-style garden) and national stud farm (Tarbes breed, free equestrian shows on summer Sundays) are the main cultural activities of the city. Tarbes is also the departure base to reach Lourdes (20 km), Pic du Midi (60 km) and the Cirque de Gavarnie (80 km) in the Pyrenees. Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees airport (direct flights from Paris, Toulouse, Grenoble and several European cities) is the convenient entry point for vacations in the Hautes-Pyrénées without a car.
Campsites in the Hautes-Pyrénées offer water parks with heated pools in a mountain setting with views of the Pyrenees peaks – just dozens of kilometers from all the must-see sites: Lourdes (sanctuary, museum), Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 m), Cirque de Gavarnie (UNESCO), Saint-Lary-Soulan and Balnéa thermal baths, Pont d’Espagne and Cauterets, the Pyrenees animal park of Argelès-Gazost and the Bétharram caves. Vacations in the Hautes-Pyrénées by camping are ideal from June to September – the mountain weather of the Pyrenees offers sunny days for hikes, water activities on the lakes and excursions to neighboring Spain.
The must-see sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées are: the Lourdes sanctuary (pilgrimage, Marian procession), the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 m, cable car, observatory), the Cirque de Gavarnie (UNESCO, Grande Cascade waterfall, 423 m), the Balnéa thermal baths at Saint-Lary-Soulan, the Pont d'Espagne and Cauterets, the Pyrenees animal park at Argelès-Gazost and the Tourmalet pass (Tour de France). Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Lake Génos-Loudenvielle round out a full stay in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 m) is reached from La Mongie (a resort on the Tourmalet pass) by cable car (€28 adults, €18 children, 15-minute ride, 9am-5pm in season). La Mongie is 25 km from Bagnères-de-Bigorre and 65 km from Lourdes. There's no easy walking route - the cable car is the only safe way to reach the summit of the Pic du Midi. Book the Pic du Midi online in July-August - places are limited and queues long in the Pyrenees.
Yes, the hike to the Cirque de Gavarnie is perfect with children - the path from the village to the foot of the Grande Cascade waterfall (9 km round trip, 3 hours, easy) is manageable from age 6-7 with suitable shoes. Donkeys and ponies can be hired in the village (€15-20, 1.5 hours) for tired children. The Pyrenees national park around the Cirque de Gavarnie is also home to ibex and griffon vultures - an unforgettable photo during your Hautes-Pyrénées holiday.
Lake Génos-Loudenvielle is a mountain lake in the Hautes-Pyrénées at 990 m altitude (in the town of Loudenvielle, Louron valley, 10 km from Saint-Lary-Soulan) - a lifeguarded beach, watersports (pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboarding) and nearby thermal baths make it one of the best Pyrenees holiday activities for families. The Loudenvielle thermal baths (warm mountain waters), a 5-minute walk from the lake, round out the wellness offering at Lake Génos.
Yes, the Hautes-Pyrénées offer 3- to 5-star campsites with water parks and heated pools - ideally located between Lourdes, Tarbes, Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Argelès-Gazost, 30-60 minutes from the Pic du Midi, the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Bétharram caves. These Hautes-Pyrénées campsites are the perfect base for an active Pyrenees holiday: hiking, the Balnéa thermal baths, water activities on the mountain lakes, and excursions into neighbouring Spain.
