Have you toured the Sanctuary, admired the Massabielle Grotto, and strolled through the historic alleys of the Marian city? Perfect! But did you know that your journey is just beginning? One of Lourdes’ greatest assets is its surroundings. Nestled at the foot of the mountains, the city is the gateway to grandiose landscapes that attract visitors from all over the world.
If you’re wondering what to do around Lourdes, get ready to feast your eyes. Forget the city for a moment and let yourself be tempted by lush green valleys, dizzying waterfalls, and breathtaking peaks. Here are 3 absolute must-see excursions to add a spectacular dimension to your Pyrenean getaway!
Before setting off on big car expeditions, know that there are incredible trails right at your fingertips, such as the superb hikes around the Pic du Jer or nature strolls right near the town center.
When planning a mountain holiday, choosing a base is always a puzzle. Should you isolate yourself in a perched village at the risk of lacking amenities, or stay in the lowlands? Lourdes offers the perfect compromise.
Thanks to its strategic geographical location, the town is an ideal base camp. By staying here, you benefit from all the urban amenities (supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants open late) while being situated at the crossroads of the Gave valleys. You can easily radiate out in all directions and reach the most famous “Grands Sites Occitanie” in less than an hour’s drive. Every morning, choose your destination according to your wishes and the weather, and return in the evening to the comfort of the town.
It is quite simply the colossus of the Pyrenees. Victor Hugo himself described it as a “miracle”. About an hour’s drive south of Lourdes, the Cirque de Gavarnie is a dizzying limestone wall, sculpted by glaciers over millennia. Imagine a rocky amphitheater with a circumference of 5 kilometers, whose walls peak at over 1,500 meters high, all crowned by one of the largest waterfalls in Europe (a 423-meter free fall!). This exceptional landscape has also earned it a dual listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Rest assured, there is no need to be a seasoned mountaineer to approach this stone giant. Access to the bottom of the cirque is surprisingly easy, making it one of the most popular outings for families.
From the charming village of Gavarnie, a wide and relatively flat path runs alongside the gave (mountain stream) for several kilometers. Count on about 1h30 of walking at a leisurely pace to reach the foot of the Grande Cascade. In summer, you will even have the option to rent horses or donkeys for the journey, an unforgettable experience for children.
Do you dream of seeing the high mountains up close, but the prospect of tackling thousands of meters of elevation gain puts you off? Good news: it is entirely possible to climb to an altitude of 2,877 meters without breaking a sweat. By heading to the resort of La Mongie (just under an hour’s drive from your starting point), you will reach the departure station of the famous Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
The adventure begins as soon as you board the cable car. In just fifteen minutes, you are propelled high above the clouds. Upon arriving at the immense panoramic terraces, the visual impact is total. More than 300 kilometers of Pyrenean peaks stretch before your eyes, from Catalonia to the Basque Country.
But the attraction that thrills every visitor is the famous “Ponton dans le ciel” (Pontoon in the Sky). This 12-meter-long metal footbridge, suspended over the void, features a glass floor. Walk to the very end, look beneath your feet, and feel the thrill of the heights! Also take the time to visit the astronomical observatory and planetarium, as this site is a world-renowned spot for stargazing.
After the arid rock of the high altitude, let us dive into a completely different setting. Just 45 minutes from Lourdes, the Cauterets valley offers you a total immersion in the lushness of the Pyrenees National Park. Here, nature is green, dense, and the omnipresence of water gives the landscape an incredible power.
Before heading up into the heights, plan a short stop in the village of Cauterets. Its beautiful Belle Époque façades and lively streets bear witness to its rich thermal spa heritage. Taste the famous berlingots candies, crafted by hand right before your eyes!
Then continue your journey (by car or via the shuttle bus) to climb up to the majestic Pont d’Espagne. This stone bridge spans a series of churning waterfalls where two mountain torrents meet. The crashing sound of the clear water and the refreshing mist are particularly invigorating. From there, you can walk a few minutes to admire the Cerisey waterfall, or take the chairlift to peacefully reach the shores of the splendid Lake Gaube.
Need a true haven after your expeditions?
Clocking up miles in the mountains and taking in breathtaking views works up an appetite and tires you out! To recover properly between two Pyrenean excursions, nothing beats the comfort of a true home away from home. With their cozy bedding, fully equipped kitchens, and central location, our apartments at Pavillon Bleu are the perfect cocoon to rest your legs before the next adventure.
Venturing into the mountains always requires a minimum amount of planning. As locals, here is what we systematically recommend to our guests to avoid unpleasant surprises.
This is the classic mistake made by vacationers. Even if it is bright sunshine and 30°C in Lourdes, do not assume it will be the same at nearly 3,000 meters of altitude at the Pic du Midi! The temperature drops on average by 1°C every 150 meters.
Always pack in your backpack:
After an intense day of hiking the trails, taking in the fresh mountain air, and filling your camera roll, returning to “civilization” is always a relief. The mountain road, while magnificent, can prove tiring.
It is in moments like these that choosing comfortable and centrally located accommodation like Le Pavillon Bleu makes total sense. Taking off your hiking boots in the entryway, taking a hot shower to soothe your leg muscles, and settling onto the sofa to debrief the day over a good meal prepared in your own kitchen… That is the perfect definition of a successful balance between Pyrenean adventure and urban comfort. And if you don’t feel like cooking after such an excursion, you’ll only have to walk a few steps into the town center to dine at one of the excellent local restaurants!
Ready for the Pyrenean adventure?
Majestic peaks, vertiginous waterfalls, and wide open spaces are waiting just for you! To experience these excursions to the fullest without sacrificing your comfort, choose the flexibility of fully independent accommodation. Ideally located in downtown Lourdes, Le Pavillon Bleu offers all the space you need to prepare your morning picnics and fully recharge in the evening. Drop off your bags and set out to conquer the Hautes-Pyrénées!
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Le Pavillon Bleu
Your haven of tranquility in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées. An elegant alternative to traditional hotels, combining the historic charm of a building dating from 1900 with impeccable modern comfort.
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