The Grande Traversée des Pyrénées

Day 1

Louron Valley > Balnéa

After passing through Luchon, you come to the Col de Peyresourde, a cycling classic with over sixty credited passes since 1910. Take the time to stop for a while at the summit. Then plunge into the Louron valley, with Lake Génos-Loudenvielle in your sights. The Pyrenees welcome you with a bath in naturally warm, comforting spring water, in the open air, your eyes riveted on this magnificent barrier of ports and peaks rising to over 3000 m.

On your way:

• The Col de Peyresourde, a wide pass with breathtaking views.
• The village of Mont and its Romanesque chapel, a listed historic monument with an exterior fresco that has stood the test of time.
• Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle, the focal point as you make your way down the Col de Peyresourde, offering a lovely walking route.

Day 2

Val Louron-Azet pass to Ainsa

92 km / 1h37

Before you reach the valley floor, the morning sun is shining on the high peaks. It’s time to set off. At Génos, you tackle the hairpin bends of the Val Louron-Azet pass. It’s hard to keep your concentration on the road with this splendid view of the 3000 m peaks that form the Spanish border. Our objective: to discover the other side of the mountain, the Spanish Aragon.

Once you’ve passed the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel, don’t hesitate to use the many parking areas along the route to take a dip in the natural pools formed by the river. And don’t forget to make a diversion to discover the Canyon d’Añisclo, a concentration of wild nature. You enter it via a narrow, winding road. Without doubt one of the most spectacular routes in the Pyrenees.

In the evening, take the time to visit the village of Ainsa, capital of Sobrarbe. Summer evenings in its fortified square always make for wonderful holiday memories.

On your way :

• The Val Louron-Azet pass, at the summit, vast meadows of pasture and favourite take-off ground for paragliders.
• The Aragnouet-Bielsa Tunnel, 3 kilometres of tunnel carved into the belly of the Pyrenees and you’re in Spain.
• Tella, a former lookout point in the valley from which you can take in one of the finest panoramic views in the Pyrenees.
• Lake Ainsa, a magnificent lake with turquoise waters.
• The Plaza Mayor in Ainsa, a monumental, fully paved square surrounded by old houses linked by arcades.

Day 4

From Col d’Aspin to Luz-Saint-Sauveur

72 km / 1h53

The adventure continues! It begins with a climb over a pass: the Col d’Aspin or the Hourquette d’Ancizan, your choice. Both lead to the beautiful Lac de Payolle, nestling in a forest of fir trees. Here it is known as the “Little Canada of the Pyrenees”. Then you’re off to climb the Pic du Midi. A spectacular cable car ride takes you to the summit. Take time to visit the site, stroll along the terraces, venture onto the vertiginous Ponton in the sky and admire the view of the Pyrenees chain. Exceptional!

Finally, you’ll cross the Col du Tourmalet into Toy country to reach the spa town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, favourite of Empress Eugénie, where you can enjoy a relaxing break in the beneficial waters of the Luzéa spa centre.

Day 7

From Saint-Savin to Lourdes

29 km / 31mn

To round off this journey, we offer you a unique and personal experience in a place that is unique in the world. Head for Lourdes and its magnificent torchlight procession, which sets the Marian city ablaze every evening. But we’ve got time. Our first stop will be at the Saint-Martin family restaurant in Saint-Savin, one of the best in the region. The Saint-Martin family have been restaurateurs for 7 generations! That’s what we call a sure thing. Next, we’ll take you on a beautiful itinerary to discover the secret Val d’Azun, a magnificent little unspoilt valley dotted with a dozen small mountain villages with slate roofs and stone walls. Pastoral traditions are still very much alive here, and the farmhouse cheese is famous.

On your way :

• The Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, and discovering bears, wolves, lynxes, marmots, vultures and other animals.

• The Pic du Jer funicular, a charming journey guaranteed aboard this century-old funicular that takes you to the summit at an altitude of 1000 m.

• The fortified castle and its Pyrenean Museum, on its rocky peak overlooking the Marian city and offering an exceptional view of the Sanctuary.