Spa treats and mountain pleasures

Day 1: Bagnères de Luchon (Haute Garonne)

Bagnères de Luchon is 141 km southwest of Toulouse (1 hr 42 min.).

• Morning: a short stroll around the thermal spa town of Luchon to admire its elegant 19th century architecture.
  10 min. – 11 Km
  A ramble in the beautiful and wild Lys Valley to the spectacular Cascade d’Enfer waterfall. There's the option to stop for lunch at the auberge in the Lys Valley.
  On the way back, climb up to the ski resort of Superbagnères to admire the panorama of the high peaks of the Pyrenees.
  
  
  

• Afternoon: return to Luchon to relax in the Espace Forme et Bien-Être at Luchon thermal baths, famous for its natural vaporarium, the only one of its kind in Europe.

• Overnight in Luchon.

Luchon, profile of a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées.

Day 2: the Louron Valley and Lac de Payolle (Hautes Pyrénées)

• Morning: departure for Génos-Loudenvielle (the Louron Valley) via the Col de Peyresourde (1,569 m), which has featured more than 60 times in the Tour de France.
  30 min. – 25 Km
  As you descend into the Louron Valley, take a short detour to Mont, a gorgeous hamlet perched at an altitude of 1,350 m (Romanesque church with 16th century frescos, amazing panorama).
  At Génos-Loudenvielle, treat yourself to some time out at Balnéa, a recreational spa with a laid-back beauty on the edge of the vast Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle. There are three spa areas here: the Roman baths, the Amerindian Baths and the Japanese Baths (outdoors). You may choose to stay for lunch at the Balnéa restaurant.

• Afternoon: departure for the Lac de Payolle, via Arreau and the Col d’Aspin (1,489 m), another great Tour de France classic.
  40 min. – 35 Km
  On the way, stop off at the Col d'Aspin for the magnificent view of the Aure Valley and the surrounding mountains.
  
  Then enjoy a ramble around the Lac de Payolle, wonderfully pastoral surroundings of summer pastures grazed by hundreds of cows and horses from June to September. There are lots of footpaths starting at the lake.  
  
  Departure for Campan
  17 min. -13 Km

• Overnight in Campan or Baudéan (1.5 km from Campan).

Day 3: the Pic du Midi and Bagnères de Bigorre (Hautes Pyrénées)

• Morning: departure for La Mongie (Pic du Midi cable car)
  21 min. – 19 Km
  You ascend the Pic du Midi (2,877 m) in the cable car from the ski resort of La Mongie. At the top there's an unforgettable 300km panorama of the Pyrenean peaks, a museum of astronomy, restaurant and gift shop. 

• Afternoon: Departure for Bagnères de Bigorre
  35 min. – 25 Km
  Chill out at Aquensis, a recreational spa with an amazing design and lots of little elegant touches that you'll love. Well-being centre (large pool of thermal water, luxurious steam bath, etc.) 'chic et spa' area (treatments, rest and relaxation), jacuzzi and aqua-box on the outdoor terraces.
  
  
  
  If you have a little time left over, enjoy a short stroll in the rural Salut Valley (former thermal baths, museum of marble) just a stone's throw from the centre of Bagnères.

• Overnight in Bagnères de Bigorre and end of circuit.