Manon Vallin

At the heart of Pays Toy

Valley of Luz

4 saisons
Relaxation
In nature
Sport and thrills

Beyond a simple valley, the Luz valley is the keystone of an entire country, the “Pays Toy”. The latter extends from Barèges to Gavarnie passing through the charming little villages in the surrounding area to finally find in Luz much more than a point of convergence. This valley, rich in a beautiful historical heritage, also shines with its excitement and vitality in all seasons. It is like its inhabitants: sparkling and warm. Between ski station, Baths and local life, it's a whole art of living that awaits you in this country!

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

A VILLAGE IN THE HOLLOWS OF THE MOUNTAINS

Crossroads of the Gavarnie Valleys, Luz-Saint-Sauveur is a pretty little village in the hollow of the mountains, at 677 meters above sea level. It is an ideal stopover for a stroll through the narrow streets where the old walls contrast wonderfully with the more modern buildings. Its architectural heritage, largely influenced by Napoleon III, takes you on a journey into the history of Luz of yesteryear.

Château Sainte-Marie

REMAINS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES

Perched 630 meters above sea level, the remains of the St. Mary's castle take us back to medieval times. Although only two defense towers remain, they adorn the landscape with their old stones and allow you to enjoy a clear panorama of the villages below from their feet: Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Esquièze-Sère et Esterre.

Manon Vallin

Manon Vallin

The Solferino Chapel

ON THE HEIGHTS OF LUZ-SAINT-SAUVEUR

Built in 1859 on the orders of Napoleon III, this pretty chapel perched on its promontory overlooks Luz-Saint-Sauveur and offers a nice view of the surrounding area.

It is accessed from the village, its location is ideal for a small picnic improvised or for a simple balade.

Laury Bertrand

Saint Andrew's Church

Known as “the Templars”

This fortified church located in the heart of Luz-Saint-Sauveur worth a look! Walking through the old quarter, you can't resist the urge to go inside. We wander around its ramparts to discover their little secret corners then we continue the visit with the interior of the very well preserved church. This visit is as pleasant in summer as in winter, when the peaks are snow-capped.

Laury Bertrand

Napoleon Bridge

Above the Gave de Gavarnie

This imposing bridge fits perfectly into the landscape of the territory. Its so representative red “N” refers to Napoleon III who, during his visit to the valleys, ordered the construction of this building.

In summer, many people go there to live a unique experience: the Bungee jumping.

MAAD Films

The hilltop villages

THE AUTHENTICITY OF PAYS TOY

Here, the villages follow one another, but are not alike. Each of them is a new reflection of the surrounding mountains.

With the seasons, these villages transform and rediscover themselves again and again. Each stone and each slate is a fragment of history, that of the Men who shaped these places and who contributed to their wealth. Enjoy the panorama from the St. Mary's castle, let yourself be guided during the visit to the mills Sazos, contemplate the religious monuments, stroll through the flowery streets of Viscos...

Esterre, Esquièze-Sère, Vizos, Viscos, Saligos, Sazos, Chèze, Grust or, Sassis : names of villages from here, and which are worth the detour! You will have understood, each of these small villages is an invitation to discover a new facet of the Pyrenees, the opportunity to take part in local cultural life and appreciate its charms and joviality.

Visit three of these villages

Pierre Meyer

The activities

ESCAPE INTO THE OUTDOORS

Luz is also the starting point for many activities. Hikes on foot or by bike, skiing, snowshoeing, zip lines and many other sporting moments await lovers of the great outdoors.

Tristan Buchot

Trail in the snow in winter at Luz Ardiden

Manon Vallin

Luz Ardiden Station

Friends doing a snowshoe hike in the mountains

Manon Vallin

Hiking in Luz

In summer

Occasional walkers looking for easy short walks can take advantage of the pretty walk to discover the remarkable monuments of Luz. For the great explorers in search of altitude, there are in the valley a multitude of places to escape by summer : Pic du Bergons, Pic du Viscos, Lake Bastampe...

Find a hike

In winter, on snowshoes

En winter, it is good to put on your snowshoes and set off to meet the expanses of white snow with the guides and mountain guides.

Manon Vallin

Skiing in Luz Ardiden

La Luz Ardiden station welcomes the novices like most confirmed for superb days of skiing. On the Aulian side, little skiers will practice in the beginner area while the more experienced can try their hand at the snow park. The Béderet sector offers beautiful slopes for more sporty moments with a clear panorama.

Lovers of freeride will be able to set off in the company of guides and instructors on the descent of Bernazaou with its 1 m difference in altitude. To end these hectic days, why not treat yourself to a wellness break at Luzea ?

Pierre Meyer

Downhill ski touring in the powder snow of the Pyrenees

Fill up on sensations

If the Pont Napoléon is a feast for the eyes, it is also the ideal spot for a baptism of the void. From the top of its 65 meters, lovers of thrills pump up their adrenaline by jumping into the void, hanging from the end of a rubber band. A unique moment!

Still in the sensation category, Luz Zipline makes us visit the gorges of Luz from an unusual angle. Between zip lines, nepalese bridges et via via ferrata, it is a course of 2km over the water that opens in front of us.

Pierre Meyer - AE Media

Ride on mythical roads

The Luz valley also shines with its proximity to legendary passes such as Ardiden, Tourmalet Barèges or the Col des Tentes in Gavarnie. These will delight cyclists looking for new challenges to take on.

These roads mythical are also ideal for motorcyclists who are looking for pleasant outings during which they can be amazed.

Pierre Meyer

Local meetings

Meeting with Charly de l’Orphéon

We sing about nature, we sing about living conditions, we sing about happy events, we model ourselves on the history of the valley.

Charlie Trey Singer at the Orphéon

"I'm Jean-Louis Trey, known as Charly, because at the Orphéon, it's Charly! 51 years of Orphéon, more than 1 concerts and above all a passion. A child of the Country who defends body and soul this valley, this Pays Toy. We are talking about Pays Toy, we sing it Pays Toy in other words we highlight all the benefits of this valley, all the beauties. Our greatest pleasure is that the Pays Toy or an openness while retaining its specificity, its spirit and the beauty of these landscapes. We sing about nature, we sing about living conditions, we sing about happy events, we model ourselves on the history of the valley."

The Valleys of Gavarnie · Charly - Pyrenean singer at the Orphéon

Spotlight on...

The Hang'Art

À Esquièze-Sère, art has been invited into a former renovated wagon shed. In an atypical setting, we find visual and performing arts, for temporary exhibitions or events. A place to visit, and revisit, throughout the year to treat yourself to a beautiful cultural break at the foot of the peaks.

Visit the Hang’Art

Laury Bertrand