"Best Cycling in the French Pyrenees"

Unique & Custom Pyrenees Bicycle Tours!

Introduction

The following pages feature a list of things that I recommend as part of your Pyrénées vacation. The eye icon marks the things to see, the dancers mark the things to do and the wine glass marks the best places to sample local specialties.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Oloron-Ste-Marie / Arette / Argelès-Gazost / Saint-Lary-Soulan / Bagnères-de-Luchon

Saint-Lary-Soulan

Set in the middle of the Vallée d'Aure, St-Lary is quickly becoming not just a classy ski resort, but also a popular summer vacation base. The small streets with their traditional mountain houses feature welcoming cafes with terraces where you can eat, drink and relax while enjoying a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. A cabin ski lift will take you up to the Pla d'Adet ski area for astounding views of the town, the valley and the entire chain of the Pyrénées. If you're a mountain biker (rentals in town), you can bring your bike along and then can enjoy the exhilarating technical descent back to the village. Several of my cycling routes begin in St-Lary because it is an ideal base for numerous road bike rides, but it also has a lot more to offer.

Thermal Health Spa: Sensoria

This is a natural hot spring area where you can enjoy a relaxing soak and a massage afterward. More information at www.saintlary.com.

Candy Factory: Les Flocons Pyrénéens

This Saint-Lary confiserie (sweet shop) specializes in the famous "Pyrénéens snowflake" chocolates. (14, rue Vincent Mir 65170 Saint-Lary).

Restaurant: Maison du Cassoulet

This restaurant specializes in cuisine from Midi-Pyrénées and is a good place to try a traditional cassoulet if you don't get the chance to do so in Castelnaudary.

Around Saint-Lary

Bike Shops:

There are only a few small cycle shops in Saint-Lary, but a wider selection can be found in the neighboring city of Tarbes. See the full list of bicycle shops in the regions covered in our "Best Cycling Routes of the Pyrénées" guidebook.

Vélo Attitude : 15 rue Vincent Mir 65170 Saint-Lary-Soulan  / Tel: 05 62 39 44 61
Cycles Palasset: Jean Les Thermes 2 bat.4 65170 Saint-Lary-Soulan / Tel: 05 62 39 48 16

What to See & Do Saint-Lary:

Traditional Lifestyles: Les Mines de Vielle-Aure
(2 km/1.2 mi north of St-Lary)

The 19th-century manganese mine in Vielle-Aure was closed and abandoned in 1923 and forgotten until the 1990s, when some of the tunnels were renovated and opened to visitors. Today, it is provides a rare opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse of the life and work of miners. The one-hour tour includes an automated sound and light show recorded in French, English and Spanish. There is also a small museum and a jewelry shop on site.

Traditional Architecture: Le Moulin de la Mousquère
Sailhan (2 km/1.2 mi north-east of St-Lary)

The medieval water mill of Sailhan , completely renovated and fully functional, is the cultural pride of the surrounding villages, which each year celebrate the history and culture of the valley in various festivals. It is open to visitors from mid-July to the end of August so you can see it in action. The mill is located between Saint-Lary and Col d'Azet: Routes 14 and 15, and Climb 16 all pass right by it.

Food Specialties: La Ferme Vignecoise
Vignec (2 km/1.2 mi north-east of St-Lary)

This farm produces a wide variety of local specialties including foie gras, paté, rillettes, magret, confit, and saucisson. In July and August, it also doubles as a restaurant serving these meat specialties and other local dishes like garbure. You can also join walks to the pastures where their animals graze to learn more about how these foods are produced and then sample them afterward. If you don't have the chance to visit, most products can be purchased online on their website .

Apple Cider Production & Museum: La Cidrerie d'Ancizan et Musée des Traditions Pyrénéennes
Ancizan (7 km/4 mi north of St-Lary)

The cidrerie (apple cider brewery) and its museum offer a 40-minute museum tour showcasing local life more than a century ago along with artisan cider served with tapas (small canapé style snacks) and other specialties. La Cidrerie d'Ancizan is right on your way on Routes 15 and 17.

Museum: Musée de la Vallée d'Aure
Ancizan (7 km/4 mi north of St-Lary)

This small museum in the medieval village of Ancizan presents scenes of centuries-old life here. Apples are a specialty of this valley so a special part of the museumi is dedicated to the apple harvest and the juice, liquor and ciderthat it produces. Dry cider is available for sampling. (Musée de la Vallée d'Aure, 2, rue de l'Arbizon, 65440 Ancizan / Tel: 05 62 39 97 75).

Wildlife Show: Les Aigles d'Aures
Arreau (11 km/7 mi north of St-Lary)

If you missed the bird of prey shows in Beaucens (Argelès-Gazost), this one features 25 different species of birds and is worth a visit. The town of Arreau itself, recently classified as a heritage area for the value of its architecture and culture, is an interesting place to visit, too. Routes 15 and 17 go right through town on their way to Col d'Aspin and Col de Peyresourde.

Traditional Architecture: Eglises Peintes du Louron
(Between St-Lary & Luchon)

There are a few churches unique to this area of the Pyrénées that were hand-painted by local shepherds in the 16th century. Don't miss the churches of Saint-Mercurial in Vielle-Louron, Saint-Barthelemy in Mont and Saint-Blaise in Estarvielle, all of which are located on the road to Col de Peyresourdes. Routes 14 and 15 pass right through Vielle-Louron and going on to visit the other two churches only adds about 10 km (6 mi) to your trip. Check hours of operation of the various village churches in the Aures and Louron valleys.

Natural Site: La Reserve Naturelle du Néouvielle
(26 km/15 mi west of St-Lary)

The Néouvielle Natural Reserve, one of the first protected preserves in the Pyrénées, is an extension of the Pyrénées' National Park. It is truly a hiker's heaven where you can see the towering summits that surround it reflected in no fewer than 70 alpine lakes. A paved road from Saint-Lary leads in to the Lakes Aubert and Oredon, which mark the entrance to this stunningly beautiful wilderness area. View our cycling Route 13 for more information.

Medieval Architecture: Les Chapelles Romane de la Vallée-d'Aure
(from 2 km/1.2 mi north of St-Lary)

Roman style churches are the oldest churches found in this region. In many places they have transcended time and wars to remind us that many of their villages were on the pilgrimage road leading to Santiago de Compostela The churches in Vielle-Aure, Agos and Sainte-Antoine are all well worth a visit.

Entertainment & Health: Balnea
Génos (18 km/11 mi east of St-Lary & 22 km/14 mi west of Luchon)

Balnea is a luxurious thermal spa where you can soak in pools formed by natural hot springs while enjoying the views of the mountains that surround you. Jacuzzis, cold plunges and a startling variety of massages are also available to help you relax completely after a challenging day of cycling. Located at the foot of Col d'Azet on Routes 14 and 15, you might be tempted to interrupt your ride for a couple of hours, but Balnea is easily accessible from both towns by car.

Artisan Cheesemaker - Fromage Fermier du Cru - Lombrès
(20 km/12 mi) south-east of Lamnezan / 45 km /28 mi north-east of Saint-Lary / 46 km/29 mi north-west of Bagnères-de-Luchon)

This specialty farm accepts reservations for an opportunity to see how its famous Lou Lombrès cow cheese is made from start to finish. Be sure to allow time to sample their delectable cheese, too. (Tel: 05-62-99-02-19).