What activities are available in the Vallée d'Aure in summer?

In the Vallée d’Aure, you can choose from a host of summer activities, including canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, climbing and hang-gliding.

When is the best time to visit the Aure valley?

The Aure valley is beautiful all year round, and the best time to visit depends on your personal preferences. In summer, you can enjoy hiking, canyoning and other outdoor activities, while in winter, board sports such as skiing and snowboarding take centre stage.

Are there any events or festivals in Saint-Lary?

In Saint-Lary and the Aure valley, you can take part in emblematic events throughout the year, such as the Grand Raid des Pyrénées, the pig festival, the Fête Franco-Aragonaise and the Saint-Lary Patou Trail.

Saint-Lary and the Aure valley

At the gateway to Spain

In the heart of the Aure valley, Saint-Lary sits elegantly at the foot of the great outdoors. In summer, the resort reveals a different face: deep lakes, luminous mountain pastures, hooked pines and peaks flirting with 3,000 metres. Just around the bend, the Pyrenees National Park paves the way for high-altitude itineraries. The Néouvielle National Nature Reserve imposes its mineral decor, while the Aulon Regional Nature Reserve guards its mid-mountain secrets. After the hike, it’s off to the hot springs of Sensoria… then on to the Spanish side, on the other side of the Bielsa tunnel. Here, the days fill up quickly… and end even better.

saint-lary

Saint-Lary

lively village and ideal starting point

With its lively little streets, markets and gourmet restaurants, Saint-Lary still has the soul of a mountain village, with a real sense of local life. The resort offers an easy-going holiday, with everything within easy reach: starting points for walks, shuttles to the major sites and late afternoons on the terrace.

Focus on...

The Néouvielle Nature Reserve

The Néouvielle massif is a unique natural mountain area with a highly original bioclimate.

Here, nature exceeds the norm: hooked pines break records for longevity and altitude, there are more than 1,230 plant and animal species and more than 70 lakes (Aumar, Aubert, Orédon, Cap de Long…) that punctuate the landscape with their limpid waters. Created in 1936, this reserve is one of the first in France.

Nature lovers are in paradise here, with a host of walks on offer and a tour of Néouvielle from hut to hut(there are 5 guarded huts in the Massif). In winter, the reserve is decked out in its finest white and becomes a popular destination for skiing and snowshoeing.

Discover the Néouvielle Nature Reserve

walks

Exceptional walks

The Aure valley offers a rare diversity of climbs, lake routes, forested valleys and pastoral lookouts.

For the ambitious

The ” three-thousanders ” of the sector: Néouvielle, Campbieil, Pic Long, Estaragne, Robiñera, Pic Maou (demanding, high mountain terrain).
L’Arbizon, sentinel of the valley: less than 3,000m, but a challenging climb and a striking panorama.

For lovers of lakes and landscapes

The Néouvielle reserve: a mosaic of lakes, a world of granite, spectacular light.
Cap de Long: a high-altitude road, promontories and high mountains within easy driving distance.

For a gentler mountain

Hourquette d’Ancizan: mountain pastures, easily accessible ridges, open views.
Rioumajou valley: deep fir forests, fast-flowing streams, meadows around the hospice.
Around the villages: small heritage trails, ancient paths, chapels and barns.

Don’t forget: in high-altitude areas, late snow is still possible at the start of the season.

sensoria

Sensoria

The reward after the effort

Sensoria is recuperation without logistics: in the village, simple access, indoor/outdoor pools, jets, saunas, steam rooms and quiet areas. The spaces are reminiscent of canyons, the materials warm the atmosphere and the steam wipes away fatigue. A car-free break from the hustle and bustle of the village.

Sensoria

spain

Spain within striking distance

The Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel takes you quickly to the Iberian peninsula. In half an hour, you’re inAragon: tapas, lively terraces, stone streets and long evenings. Bielsa has an immediate charm… and also a strong memory, with the battle of the Bielsa pocket (1938).

label

Land of Art and History

The Aure valley (along with the Louron valley) has been awarded the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label. Romanesque churches, chapels, traditional houses, wash-houses, fountains and barns make up a vibrant heritage.
A special highlight is the Romanesque chapel of the Templars at Aragnouet, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

©
Paintings in the church of Saint Barthélémy de Mont
|
Eric Martin

©
Visit to the Templar Church in Aure Louron, Pays d'Art et d'Histoire ©Pierre Meyer
|
Pierre Meyer

ART AND HISTORY TRAIL

To live

Life around Saint-Lary

Bike Parkplenty of downhill runs

When the snow fades, the mountain bikes take over. The Saint-Lary Bike Park offers a number of signposted trails, with ski lifts and large-format views. One descent follows another, the valley opens up and the sensations mount.

Lake Agosthe family outing

To the north of Vielle-Aure, Lac d’Agos has everything you need for an active family break. At the leisure centre, you can try your hand at water sports, then head for the climbing wall or skateboard modules for a change of pace. The little ones will quickly find their own playground, the picnic tables invite you to linger a while and the tour of the lake makes for an easy walk to get some fresh air between two activities.

Bonus: fishing lessons for children complete the day, with rod in hand and eyes riveted to the surface.