View of the Argeles Gazost valley and its mountain villagesView of the Argeles Gazost valley and its mountain villages
©View of the Argeles Gazost valley and its mountain villages|© PHILIPIMAGE

A LITTLE FURTHER ON

Lourdes lies at the gateway to the Pyrenees National Park. A multitude of opportunities await you: hiking, lakes and natural sites listed as Unesco World Heritage sites

Life-size escape Taking the time

Lourdes is the ideal starting point for discovering the beauty of the Pyrenees.

Between glacial lakes, unspoilt valleys and listed sites, set off on a nature adventure.

And don’t forget the spectacular caves and breathtaking panoramas that make this region so rich!

Estaing lake nestled at the bottom of the valley

Less than 30 km from Lourdes, Lac d’Estaing is part of the Pyrenees National Park.

Situated at the bottom of the Estaing valley, at an altitude of 1161 m, this glacial lake takes its name from the Occitan “Estang”, meaning
meaning “expanse of water”.

The lake offers a variety of activities: fishing, walking and wildlife watching!
The many picnic areas on Lac d’Estaing are ideal for spending quality time with family and friends.

Cauterets at the gateway to some of the world's most beautiful natural sites

A spa town located 30 km from Lourdes, it offers a wealth of hiking opportunities. Its naturally sulfurous spring waters are renowned for treating all kinds of ailments.

Just 5 minutes from the town, access the Pont d’Espagne and discover Lac de Gaube and the Marcadau valley.

Cirque de Gavarnie a natural wonder

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Cirque de Gavarnie offers an exceptional landscape less than 50 km from Lourdes.
Its 3,000-metre peaks and 423-metre waterfall, one of the highest in Europe, make it an exceptional site!

Two other glacial cirques, Troumouse and Estaubé, are also worth a visit for the beauty of their landscapes and peaks.

Caves of Betharram

The exploration begins with a visit to the upper part of the caves.

The descent of an 80-metre chasm back to the riverbed allows us to observe the erosive work of the water.
The underground route covers 2.8 km and three levels of limestone galleries.

A boat trip followed bya ride on the little train round off the visit to the caves, taking you across the mountain for a unique experience!