Around Luchon

Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

• Saint Bertrand de Comminges: the historical heritage of this fortified village in the foothills of the Pyrenees goes back to Antiquity.

Churches and villages

• Romanesque churches of the Larboust Valley : on the road to the Col de Peyresourde, see the church in Saint Aventin (one of the most remarkable in the area around Luchon), the church in Cazeaux de Larboust (fine collection of frescos) and the chapel in Saint Pé de la Moraine (typical of the Romanesque art in the area around Saint Bertrand de Comminges). These churches are locked, but the Bibliothèque pour Tous community library in Luchon organises tours – Tél. 05 61 79 04 12.

• Bourg d’Oueil : one of the typical villages clinging to the sides of the rustic Oueil Valley. It is the starting point of a number of walks.

Walking

• 'Le chemin de l'Impératrice': starting from the Hospice de France, a 3¼-hour walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims who crossed the Pyrenees into Spain. Route description (in French) in the walking guide La Haute-Garonne à pied (Ref. D031 - Pub. FFRP).

White water sports

• Rafting and canyoning : the Luchon area is a paradise for not only rafting and white water swimming but also canyoning in the fabulous Gouaux Canyon and Oô Gorge. Details of professional guiding companies that run trips are at www.luchon.com

Skiing

• Luchon Superbagnères : one of the top ski resorts in the Pyrenees, with a panoramic view of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, accessible in just 10 minutes from the centre of Luchon (gondola lift). www.luchon.com

Sites of outstanding natural beauty

10 minutes away :

• The Lys Valley : a beautiful, wild valley worth exploring up to the impressive Cascade d’Enfer waterfall and beyond, to the Gouffre d’Enfer sinkhole. You can lunch at the auberge in the valley. View the walks in the Lys valley at www.luchon.com

• The Lac d’Oô : a blue-green gem of a lake at 1,507 m, surrounded by stunning vertical rock faces and fed by a 275m waterfall. Accessible on foot on the GR10 footpath (1 hour there, 1 hour back) from Les Granges d’Astau, 15 minutes from Luchon.

• The Hospice de France : in a spectacular setting of mountain pastures and forests, the Hospice de France is an inn, museum and gift shop. It is also an historic place that has been welcoming travellers and adventurers exploring the Pyrenees since the 17th century. The Hospice is the starting point of several footpaths. Accessible by car. www.hospicedefrance.com

Wellbeing

• Balnéa : a spectacular mountain road leads over the Col de Peyresourde to the Louron Valley where you'll find Balnéa. A superb recreational spa with 3 different ambiances. Tél. 08 91 70 19 19. www.balnea.fr

Fairs and festivals

• Festival du Comminges : this festival with an international reputation brings together top composers and young musicians in the surroundings of the cathedral in Saint Bertrand de Comminges. In July. www.festival-du-comminges.com