The French Pyrenees
Days 1-7 · 6 nightsA historic hotel on Rue de la Cascade, in Gavarnie, in the very village of the cirque. You are on the trail at sunrise, before the coaches, and walk back after the hike.
€120 a nightSee on Booking →On Place Foch, in the centre of Cauterets, a spa town and the gateway to the Pont d'Espagne. A 3-star for taking in the Lac de Gaube in the morning and the resort's streets in the evening.
€115 a nightSee on Booking →On Rue Saint-Roch, in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, at the foot of the valley leading to the Niaux cave. An Ariège base for Niaux and Montségur, away from the mountain-pass valleys to the west.
The Niaux cave can only be visited by reservation, in small groups: book your places well in advance.
€120 a nightSee on Booking →On Avenue des Thermes, in Saint-Lary-Soulan, the village resort of the Aure valley. A good base for the Néouvielle reserve and its lakes, with shops and restaurants on foot.
€100 a nightSee on Booking →On Avenue du Lavedan, in Agos-Vidalos, on the road linking Lourdes to Argelès-Gazost. A 3-star valley hotel for exploring Cauterets, Gavarnie and the Tourmalet without sleeping in a resort.
€95 a nightSee on Booking →A town hotel in Foix, away from the resorts and the tourist valleys. You stay here to explore the Niaux cave and the Château de Montségur, on the Ariège side of the stop.
€70 a nightSee on Booking →On Rue Richelieu, in the Haougara area, in Cauterets, a spa town and the gateway to the Pont d'Espagne. A family hotel for walking in the morning and enjoying the buzz of a resort in the evening.
€85 a nightSee on Booking →In the village of Gavarnie, near the church, at the start of the trail to the cirque. A 2-star for sleeping on site and walking at first light, before the day visitors.
€80 a nightSee on Booking →On Route de Préchac, in Saint-Savin, in the Argelès valley. You come as much for the table as for the bed, and head out to Gavarnie, Cauterets or the Tourmalet by day.
Jean-Pierre Saint-Martin's cooking is what the house is known for: book a table for dinner at the same time as the room.
€190 a nightSee on Booking →On Rue Sainte-Marie, in Lourdes, facing the sanctuaries. A grand hotel with a spa for those who want to walk to the grotto and the evening procession, before heading off to the passes.
150-€250 a nightSee on Booking →In the centre of the village of Saint-Lary-Soulan, a few steps from the shops. For the Néouvielle lakes and the Aure valley, with somewhere to eat in the evening without getting back in the car.
150-€220 a nightSee on Booking →In Viscos, a village perched above Luz-Saint-Sauveur, away from the pass road. A 4-star for a quiet stay, with Gavarnie and the Tourmalet within driving distance.
€220 a nightSee on Booking →