Saint-Lary Valley

Without a doubt the most exotic valley of the Pyrenees! A three-kilometre tunnel dug into the belly of the mountain takes you right into Spain: out you come in the Aragon region, with its ochre-coloured villages, its dazzling sunlight, it landscapes bathed in colours, its "rios" with their crystalline waters...

While, on the French side, the valley holds just as many wonders. Starting with the very renowned - even legendary - resort of Saint-Lary. This traditional village is full of character and you'll find the people here very welcoming.

The neighbouring Louron valley also holds lovely surprises in store. And in Néouvieille nature reserve, you'll find mountains and marvels galore along the high-altitude Route des Lacs.

How many lakes are there? No-one knows. Several dozen? A hundred? No-one's ever managed to count them. They spangle the landscape of this nature reserve like turquoise beads on a scintillating necklace, glimmering amid black pine forests, prairies and rhododendrons. A magical landscape bedecked with countless shades of greens and azure blues.

But it's the animals that truly complete the show in Néouvielle. Solitary foxes, izards, marmots, griffon vultures and bearded vultures, grass frogs and midwife toads populate this land of wonders.

You’re going to love:

• Lingering on café terraces on Saint-Lary’s high street.
• Getting away to the other side of the border into Aragonese Spain: tapas, rios and leisure under the sun...
• Taking the Mountain Lakes Route and feeling as if you’re at the ends of the earth among the enchanting scenery of Néouvielle National Nature Reserve.
• Friendly encounters with the shepherds: Cécile and her angora goats, Jean-Michel and his Gascon pigs...