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View of the Pyrenees from the Pietat chapel ©Lucas Marsalle

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Lucas Marsalle

Visit the heritage of the Hautes-Pyrénées

A cultural escape
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The Hautes-Pyrénées has a fascinating history. In the Aure and Louron valleys, which have been awarded the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire (Art and History) label, heritage and know-how are told and experienced. Romanesque chapels, medieval watchtowers and castles, picturesque mills, traditional wash-houses and caves with water running through them. Dams and hydroelectric power stations, installed since the late 19th century, blend into the landscape with a touch of human ingenuity. Over time, this heritage has carved out a strong identity.

heritage

A diversified portfolio

Treasures of yesterday and today

Romanesque chapels

On foot, by bike or by car, discover the Romanesque chapels that dot the Aure and Louron valleys. These sanctuaries, steeped in spirituality, reveal the sacred history of Bigorre.

Light filters through ancient stained-glass windows to illuminate centuries-old frescoes. Painted decorations with astonishing colours and motifs tell tales of faith and devotion.

Castles and watchtowers

Cross the ages by exploring the châteaux of the Hautes Pyrénées. The fortified castle of Lourdes welcomes you with its imposing walls, witness to battles and conquests.

Follow in the footsteps of the lords at Montaner castle, with its slender towers and medieval past. Perched on a rocky spur, Mauvezin castle offers an uninterrupted view of the Baronnies. Every stone and every rampart whispers the history and legends of its former inhabitants.

Mysterious caves

A fascinating world awaits you beneath your feet. Jump back into prehistory with the enigmatic cave drawings in the Gargas caves. Climb aboard a boat and a little train at the Bétharram caves, and journey from wonder to amazement.

At the Esparros chasm, the aragonite crystals gush out white, almost translucent. The clatter of water fills the space. It’s an astonishing sight.

The mills

Follow the gentle murmur of the streams that feed the watermills in the Pyrenean valleys. A peaceful stroll will take you to these stone structures, where history blends with the present.

Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of mills steeped in ancestral know-how.

Hydropower

At the end of the 19th century, modernity invaded the mountains with the construction of dams and hydroelectric power stations that reshaped the landscape. At the Pragnères power station, the largest in the Pyrenees, don a virtual reality headset for a breathtaking aerial tour aboard a helicopter.

During a guided tour, you’ll learn all about the behind-the-scenes workings of the hydroelectric power station.

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