Tristan Buchot

A high mountain territory

Gavarnie-Gèdre

4 saisons
Relaxation
In nature
Sport and thrills

On the border with Spain, Gavarnie-Gèdre is a high mountain territory which is home to the large glacial cirques, of which Gavarnie is the most famous, accessible all year round. Troumouse and Estaubé can be discovered in summer, when the snow has given way to herds and marmots. Unesco World Heritage, Grand Site Occitanie, emblematic heart of the Pyrenees National Park... Simply mythical!

The 3 circuses

listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The cirques of Gavarnie, Troumouse and Estaubé offer extraordinary landscapes in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. With a Spanish side made up of large canyons and the Ordesa National Park, they form a unique cross-border site in the world included on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Pyrenees – Mont Perdu site.

Manon Vallin

Le Cirque de Gavarnie

the most famous

It is a true wonder of nature: 6,5 km in circumference, 1 m in height, peaks exceeding 500 m and one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. It can be admired from the village of Gavarnie in all seasons, and can be accessed by snowshoes in winter or on foot or on horseback in summer. The ski resort of Gavarnie-Gèdre promises beautiful descents and breathtaking landscapes! UNESCO World Heritage, Grand Site Occitanie and emblematic heart of the Pyrenees National Park, it is indeed this “possible and extraordinary object” described by Victor Hugo.

Pierre Meyer AE Media

The Troumouse Circus

the “shock” for the eyes… and the heart!

The Cirque de Troumouse is the largest of the three cirques, with a circumference of around 11 km. Faithful to its pastoral tradition, it is home to numerous herds of cows and sheep from the beginning of summer. Its grandeur combined with a peaceful and green atmosphere give it a very special charm. The road leading to Troumouse is a spectacle in itself: you can drive to the Plateau du Maillet then reach the Cirque on foot or by tractor-drawn train at an altitude of 2 m. Once there, you will discover a preserved mountain landscape of rare beauty... to be explored in summer only!

Tristan Buchot

The Cirque d’Estaubé

from Lac des Gloriettes

Smaller and more discreet than its two neighbours, the Cirque d'Estaubé is a remarkable natural site. Mecca of pastoralism in the valley, nearly 400 cows and 1 ewes graze there every summer. Along the Gloriettes lake then the Estaubé stream, this route is an ideal place to observe marmots. We discover it in summer for hiking or simply lounging at the water's edge; in winter it becomes inaccessible again.

Pyrenees - Mont Perdu

Manon Vallin

Discover the site in pictures

From its geological formation to ancestral traditions, discover the history of the massif.

History of a landscape

A living history

The emotion of a landscape

Manon Vallin

Local meetings

Meeting with Bertrand Ramanoël

We really have sites that are accessible to everyone. As much at the start of Gèdre that from Gavarnie where there is the classic path which goes from the village to the Cirque hostelry...

Bertrand Ramanoël Mountain rescuer

"I am Bertrand Ramanoël, I am a CRS mountain rescuer. I am originally from Gavarnie and I am lucky to be able to practice my profession in Gavarnie itself, all year round. Mainly in summer since it is a busy period, there are many visitors to the Cirque de Gavarnie for hiking. We really have sites that are accessible to everyone. As much at the start of Gèdre that from Gavarnie where there is the classic path which leaves from the village to the Cirque hostelry and even to the foot of the large waterfall, the discovery of the border areas with Mont Perdu and the Cirques of Troumouse and Estaubé which are right next door."

The Valleys of Gavarnie · Bertrand Ramanoel - CRS mountain rescue in Gavarnie

Gavarnie and the Pyrenees

ASCEND, WRITE AND FEEL

In 1898, in his book One Hundred Years in the Pyrenees, Henri Béraldi evokes for the first time pyreneism which he defines as an intellectual approach to the mountains combining both writing and sporting achievement. For him, “the ideal of the pyreneist is to know how to climb, write, and feel at the same time. Like Béraldi, mountaineers and writers thus contributed to defining, much more than a sport, a philosophy.

Pyreneists who made the reputation of the Pyrenees

Climb the peaks, perceive all their beauty and transcribe it in books.

Here the philosophy that inspired the greatest Pyrenees who came to the Pyrenees from the XNUMXth century. The Pyrenees would therefore have multiple skills, at the same time scientist, artist, sportsman and explorer eager to share his discoveries. It is for these multiple talents that characters like Russell, Nansouty, Schrader or Ramond de Carbonnières are remembered.

“It is a mountain and a wall at the same time; it is the most mysterious building by the most mysterious of architects; it is the Colosseum of nature; It’s Gavarnie. »

Victor Hugo and Gavarnie

GOD, A MYTHICAL POEM

The fame of Cirque de Gavarnie was built in the 16th century by the multiple explorations of botanists, scientists, painters, romantics, and of course mountaineers in search of discoveries and prestigious climbs. The Pyrenees are then painted, described and told. Victor Hugo also largely contributed to his reputation thanks to the poem “Dieu” written following his stay in Gavarnie: “ It is a mountain and a wall at the same time; it is the most mysterious edifice of the most mysterious of architects; it is nature's Colosseum; it's Gavarnie ". Words that still resonate today!

What to do at
Gavarnie - Gèdre ?

outdoor activities

In Gavarnie - Gèdre, despite the imposing peaks that make up the valley, you will definitely find something to occupy your days, whatever the season. Whether you are more of the type to go on an adventure and sleep in a refuge, or those who prefer to stroll around the village and soak up the history of the Pyrenees, here is something to inspire you...

Ski station
Gavarnie-Gèdre

Family ski resort accessible to all levels, at the ski resort of Gavarnie-Gèdre, we ski with the most beautiful panoramas...

Trace your curves facing the Cirque de Gavarnie and its 3-meter peaks.

Discover the resort

Pierre Meyer

Small train
from Troumouse

In summer, from the Maillet plateau, let yourself be carried by a small train pulled by a tractor to the heart of the Troumouse cirque. Fun and accessible, discover the mountain differently and effortlessly!

Discover the little train

Manon Vallin

Canyoning
in Héas

Waterways hold many secrets... In summer, go explore the Gave de Héas, from abseiling to sliding and diving! A fun and refreshing activity to do with family or friends.

Discover canyoning

Pierre Meyer

Observer
wildlife

Here, the fauna and flora are a well-preserved wealth. During a guided outing or an activity by the Park rangers, learn to better understand the biodiversity of the Pyrenees National Park.

Discover the wildlife

Pierre Meyer

Griffon vulture flying over the Pyrenees National Park in the middle of winter

The hydroelectric plant

AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IN PRAGÈRES

Between heritage and virtual reality, let yourself be told the history and operation of the hydroelectric power station of Pragnères, an incredible construction. Live a unique and immersive experience thanks to virtual reality!

Cultural heritage industrial & historical

Laury Bertrand

It’s an iconic place with incredible history and operations. The Pragnères hydroelectric power station is one of the most visited of the great southwest. Commissioned in 1954, it is based around 40 km of galleries, 4 dams, 30 water intakes, a production plant and two pumping stations! This is the most striking example of water harvesting in the Pyrenees.

Visit the Pragnères power plant

Pierre Meyer

A unique guided tour for all ages

Manon Vallin

Virtual reality visit Centrale Pragnères

For many years, its guided tour has been a great success. Virtual reality is now available, for a new 4.0 experience ! Board the gondola at an altitude of 1 m, fly over the Cap de Long dam by helicopter, follow the path of the water to the turbines through galleries to which only technicians have access...

This is now possible thanks to virtual reality headsets. A real complement to the visit which shows everything that one cannot usually see. Strong, new and astonishing sensations! The opportunity also to test the hydroball, a unique pinball machine in the world, with a classic look but ultra connected.

Zoom on …

visit the Cirque de Gavarnie

Le Cirque de Gavarnie can be visited in any season and each season has its own uniqueness. From the balance of snow and stone in winter, to the contrast between the green or reddish vegetation at other times, each period offers a striking spectacle.

To enjoy the scenery and get close to the walls, from the village of Gavarnie, you can set off on foot or with snowshoes, depending on the season and conditions.

Snowshoe trail

Visiting tips

Find a guided hike

World Else