Discovering the Gloriettes dam
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Destination Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Spotlight on the Pays ToyLuz
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
A lively village
Nature base camp
Situated at an altitude of 710 m, this charming mountain village combines gently sloping streets, stone houses, lively markets and sun-drenched terraces. Here, life flows gently, between the scents of the land and the authenticity of the Bigorre. It’s also an ideal base from which to explore the neighbouring valleys and iconic sites of the Massif.
sensations
Outdoors and sensations
Sport in all its formsLuz is at the heart of an imposing playground: the Col du Tourmalet, the Pic du Midi, Néouvielle, Ardiden and the great glacial cirques. Hiking, trail running, climbing, mountain biking, via ferrata, canyoning, rafting… There are plenty of ways to get away from it all.
The Saugué plateau(1 600 m)
A viewpoint accessible from Villenave (11 km, 3h30 return) or via an easy loop from the summit (2.4 km, 1h30).
The Coumély valley
A 7km loop (approx. 3h) through a pastoral valley with views of the Vignemale.
Bungee jumping from the Pont Napoléon
For adrenaline junkies.
The guides’ office and the tourist office can point you in the direction of the right courses and local professionals.
Luz Pont Napoleon Otluz
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heritage
A unique heritage
to discover
Château de Sainte-Marie, Luz
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Luz Eglise Des Templiers Hotel Tourmalet
Luz hides some surprising remains. Not to be missed:
- The Church of the Templars (XIIᵉ century): fortified, crowned by crenellated ramparts and adorned with ancient frescoes.
- The Pont Napoléon: built in 1863 on the orders of Napoléon III, it spans a 63 m gorge – now a mecca for bungee jumpers.
- Solférino Chapel and Château Sainte-Marie: historic lookouts accessible on foot from Esquièze-Sère.
Each walk becomes a journey through ancient stonework and spectacular panoramas.
well-being
Hot water and well-being
Pays Toy boasts two thermal spas: Luzéa, in Saint-Sauveur, and Cieléo, in Barèges. Since the 16th century, these mountain waters have provided relief from rheumatism and respiratory ailments. Today, balneotherapy centres offer soothing treatments, massages with hot stones, chocolate or gourmet inspirations and fun areas in unspoilt settings.
For something a little simpler: try an open-air yoga session with a view of the peaks.
Getting back into shape at the Luzea thermal baths ©Office du Tourisme de Luz
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Relax in the Cieléo bubble baths in Barèges
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Sideboard
La Carde
crafts and living memoryIn Esquièze-Sère, La Carde perpetuates the art of Pyrenean weaving. A visit to the workshop reveals all the stages in the manufacture of blankets and woollens: shearing, drying, carding, weaving, fulling, scraping…
You’ll also discover the deep-rooted link between transhumance, summer pastures and local know-how. In the shop, plaids, clothes and textiles are made from 100% natural Pyrenean wool.
La Carde Laine Des Pyrénées
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Holidays
Your holidays in Luz
Your stay in the valley
Luz
Luz in full swing
A valley that sings and dancesFestive get-togethers
In Luz, entertainment is part of the décor. Every season brings its own festivities:
- Jazz à Luz, in mid-July, combines music, sound walks and concerts in unusual locations.
- The Saint-Michel festival and transhumance at the end of September, with its grilled chops and pastoral atmosphere.
- Concerts in the Templiers church, often featuring Pyrenean polyphony.
And a toast: a local craft beer to share with neighbours and travellers.
Jazz A Luz
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Jazz A Luz
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The legend and dance of Baïar
A living tradition in Esquièze-Sère
Passed down from generation to generation, the legend of Baïar tells of the kidnapping of the daughter of the Lord of Sainte-Marie by a Moorish prince. After a long chase through the mountains, the prince, moved by the courage of the villagers and infatuated with the young woman, finally reconciles with them. Their union marks a symbolic peace between two opposing worlds.
This story gave rise to the Baïar dance, which is still performed in Esquièze-Sère. Around fifteen costumed dancers bring the story to life to the rhythm of a flute and tambourine, alternating between rhythmic marching and dramatic moments. A local celebration where memory, pride and poetry meet.
Country Toy
The identity of the Pays Toy
Between hills and valleysLong hemmed in between the cirques to the south, the gorges to the north and the Ardiden massif, the Pays Toy has forged a distinctive identity. “Toy” comes from the Gascon toi (little), a nickname affectionately used to describe the inhabitants of the high valleys. The Toys of today, proud, united and open-minded, have managed to preserve their character while offering a warm welcome to visitors and spa-goers alike.
View of the snow-capped mountains from the village of Sers, near Luz-Saint-Sauveur ©Antoine Garcia
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Local history, marked by the visit of Madame de Maintenon in the 17th century, then by the Second Empire’s infatuation with the thermal waters, has opened up the valley to the world, without ever erasing its soul.
- Did you know?
Luz comes from the Latin word lux, meaning light. A promise that radiates throughout the Pays Toy and sums up the spirit of the place: clear, warm and authentic.
focus on...
Must-sees around Luz
Major sitesThe Col du Tourmalet
The giant of the Tour de France
At an altitude of 2,115 m, it is the highest road pass in the French Pyrenees. This monument of the Tour de France links Luz to the Campan valley, crossing breathtaking scenery on the edge of the high mountains.
Today, cyclists, motorbikes, sheep, marmots, cows… and even a few llamas share the road in a joyous atmosphere.
From kilometre zero at Luz, cycling enthusiasts set off to conquer the pass. Once at the summit, you can look out over the ridges, and the Maison du Tourmalet invites you to discover the richness of the starry sky and the challenges of protecting it.
Col Du Tourmalet
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Col du Tourmalet by bike
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Pic Du Midi
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The Pic du Midi de Bigorre
A great site at an altitude of 2,876 m
From La Mongie station, head for the peaks… The cable car takes you up in just a few minutes to one of the most beautiful lookouts in Europe. Up there, the panoramic terraces offer a unique view: from the Basque Country to the Montagne Noire, from the peaks of Aragon to the crests of the Ariège.
Suspended above the void, the sky bridge sends a shiver of adrenalin through even the most daring climbers.
The site also houses a museum, a space dedicated to astronomy, exhibitions on the history of telescopes and a perched restaurant. A sublime experience of silence, light and vertigo.
The starry sky at the Pic du Midi
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Pontoon in the sky at the Pic du Midi
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The Gavarnie cirque
Nature’s colossus
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gavarnie cirque rises out of the landscape like a monumental amphitheatre shaped by glaciers.
Its 1,500m-high walls encircle Europe’s highest waterfall (423m) in a setting of raw majesty. Just 30 minutes from Luz, this natural wonder has fascinated poets and geologists alike.
Victor Hugo, dazzled, dubbed it “the colosseum of nature“, “the most mysterious edifice of the most mysterious architects“.
Faced with such splendour, silence is imperative.
Hiking on the Pahule ridges, with a view of the Cirque de Gavarnie ©Anthony Bonal
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