Culture and sightseeing
Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean
25 minutes away :
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Luchon: a thermal spa town with a prestigious history, set in stunning natural surroundings.
www.luchon.com
58 minutes away :
Towns
20 minutes away :
- Saint Béat : galleried houses line the banks of the fast-flowing upper section of the River Garonne in Saint Béat, famous for its marble used to decorate the Palace of Versailles.
24 minutes away :
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Saint Gaudens : stroll around the capital of the ancient province of Comminges. See the historical centre, the Romanesque collegiate church and cloister, the town museum and more… www.tourisme-stgaudens.com
Monuments
15 minutes away :
- Château de Bramevaque : 11th century château whose remains are tucked away among the trees of the Barousse Valley. Accessible on foot from the Maison des Sources visitor centre in Ferrère.
- Calvaire du Mont Arès, Nestier : overlooking the charming village of Nestier, see the line of little chapels built on Mont Arès to commemorate the Crucifixion, which includes an outdoor amphitheatre.
35 minutes away :
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Abbaye de l’Escaladieu : the first Cistercian monastery in the Southwest, founded in 1140 in a wild valley. Exhibitions, events. Tel. +33 (0)5 62 39 16 97 – www.cg65.fr
40 minutes away :
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The Gallo-Roman villa at Montmaurin : these remains of a luxurious 200-room villa rustica are one of Midi-Pyrénées' most important ancient history sites. www.tourisme-stgaudens.com
Cultural visitor centres
14 minutes away :
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Maison des Sources, Mauléon-Barousse : this visitor centre in the middle of the countryside explains what makes the Barousse Valley special, in a place where life has always revolved around water. Tel. +33 (0)5 62 39 23 85 – www.eau-barousse.com
Caves and sinkholes
10 minutes away :
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The Gargas Caves : famous for their mysterious hand prints. Here you can also visit the Nestploria digital interpretation centre where you will really get a feel for what it was like at Gargas in prehistoric times – www.numerigrottes-pyrenees.fr
37 minutes away :
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Gouffre d’Esparros : a vast sinkhole 3 km long, famed for its beautiful concretions. Tel. (0)5 62 39 11 80 – www.ot-neste-baronnies.com
Well-being
28 minutes away :
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L’Edenvik, Capvern-les-Bains : enjoy a moment of bliss and total relaxation, recharging your batteries in the thermal waters. Tel. +33 (0)5 62 39 00 02 – www.thermesdecapvern.com
35 minutes away:
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Luchon Forme et Bien-Être : relaxation in thermal water, treatments and the amazing natural vaporarium, the only one of its kind in Europe. Tel. +33 (0)5 61 79 22 97 – www.luchon-bien-etre.fr
Outdoor activities
Walking
From Saint Bertrand de Comminges :
- 'Au Cœur du Comminges' : a 10km walk for all the family in the shady forests around Saint Bertrand. Route description (in French) in the walking guide La Haute-Garonne à pied (ref. D031 – pub. FFRP).
Cycling
16 minutes away :
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Véloroute de la Garonne : a lovely, quiet 43km cycle route from Pont de Chaum to Valentine via Saint Bertrand de Comminges. Route description at www.af3v.org
White water sports
30 minutes away :
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Rafting on the Garonne : near its source up in the mountains, the River Garonne is a magnificent rushing river perfect for canoeing and rafting. Accessible to everyone. www.antignac-raftig.com
Site of outstanding natural beauty
5 minutes away :
- The Barousse Valley : wild, unspoiled, pastoral, this is the realm of the Ourse (the fast-flowing river that runs down the valley), Barousse (the local artisanal cheese), little mountain hamlets and forests full of deer.
Rock climbing
11 minutes away :
- Falaise de Troubat : a beautiful climbing crag in the heart of the Barousse that is popular with climbers. Beginners' instruction for adults and children and climbing lessons.
Nordic skiing
24 minutes away :
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Nistos ski resort : the highest cross-country ski resort in Hautes Pyrénées (1600 - 1800 m). A fantastic area for snowshoeing. www.neste-nistos.com
Fairs and festivals
20 minutes away :
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Sculpture and Marble Festival, Saint Béat: talented sculptors compete against each other, bring to life the local marble-sculpting tradition. In July/August. www.marbre-et-arts.fr
35 minutes away :
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Festival International des Créations Télévisuelles de Luchon: everything that is new and interesting in the world of television arts comes to Luchon first ! In February. www.festivaldeluchon.tv
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Fête des Fleurs de Luchon : a flower festival that began in 1899 and is still going strong, with the election of Miss Fleur, various shows, 'banda' concerts and batucadas (Brazilian percussion bands). In August. www.luchon.com