Anthony Garcia

legends
of the Pyrenees

Discovery and heritage
In nature

The emblematic natural sites of the Gavarnie Valleys are home to many myths. Discover the legendary origin of lakes, caves or majestic rocks to contemplate during a hike or day trip.

Roland's Breach

Gavarnie - Gèdre

Pierre Meyer

La Brèche de Roland remains an impressive rock formation located in the Gavarnie Cirque.

This large opening in the cliff offers a spectacular view of the French and Spanish Pyrenees. It is the result of geological processes complexes of which glacial erosion played a major role. L'ascent of the Brèche de Roland offers an exceptional high altitude hike in the high mountains.

Legend has it that after his return from Spain, the knight Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, and his men are attacked by surprise by the Saracens while they try to reach the Circus of Gavarnie near Mont Perdu. Stuck between the peak of Taillon and the summit of Casque, they fought valiantly for several days.

Seriously injured, Roland decides to break his legendary sword Durandal, rather than leaving it to its enemies. Despite his efforts, the sword remains intact, but Roland's powerful blows cause a huge gap to open in the cliff, thus breaking the mountain herself !

Manon Vallin

Isaby's snake

Argelès-Gazost Valley

Isaby is a lake located near Hautacam, above Argelès-Gazost. There walk to Lake Isaby offers a easy hike to do with the family. A legend has been associated with him for a long time. In ancient times, a huge snake terrorized the pastures on the heights of Hautacam. When it woke up, it swallowed up herds, dogs and shepherds in one fell swoop, opening its vast mouth. However, a courageous man from the village of Arbouix, further down the valley, decided to act. Endowed with bravery and cunning, he built a forge in a secret corner of the Isaby valley.

One day, with the help of determined companions, they placed a anvil metal in the hearth, which they then placed in front of the creature's lair. The snake immediately swallowed it, as if it were a simple sheep. The fire burned his insides and his thirst became so intense that he began to drink enormous quantities of water from the nearby streams. He ingested so much that he ended up exploding! Thus, all the water he had swallowed spread to the bottom of the valley, giving birth at Lake Isaby, with its blue and fish-filled waters…

Anthony Garcia

The fairies of Lake Estaing

Val d'Azun

Discover Lac d’Estaing, a glacial lake accessible by car, at 1 meters above sea level, in the Val d’Azun. The time of a easy ride, explore the shores of the lake passing through green meadows and cool under the trees. Contemplate them summits mountains reflected in the waters of a deep blue and soak up the tranquility of this Pyrenean jewel.

Legend has it that this lake was once inhabited by fairies, bewitched women condemned to reside there.

To be freed from their fate, they had to be proposed to by a fasting man who would hear their singing at the bottom of the lake. One day, returning from Spain, Abbadie de Sireix, heard a fairy sing and married her. She offered him wealth and descendants on the condition that he never call her “crazy”. But the day Abbadie called her crazy for reaping the harvest in a hurry, she disappeared and returned to the bottom of the lake. She promised to watch over their children and their descendants. Today, they say that Darne Abbadie is there still present. If you remain silent, perhaps you will hear the song of the fairies...

The legend of Baiar

Valley of Luz

MAAD Films

Before going for a walk on the heights of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, to reach the Château Sainte-Marie, stop at the Baïar statue in Esquièze-Sère. This work echoes the knight of the legend of Baïar. The story goes that in the Middle Ages, the lord's daughter was kidnapped by a mysterious young man. All the villagers then set out to look for them, crisscrossing the paths of the Luz valley. Once found, both are brought back to the castle. During the trial, the man confessed his love for the woman and revealed his origins. It was a young Moorish prince, who was excused and who was finally able to marry the lord's daughter.

La Baiar dance, specific to this mountain village, is punctuated by mimed scenes, traditional costumes in bright colors and captivating sounds. The dancers wear a carved wooden horse's head on their stomach. This dance is not just a spectacle, but a living link between the past and the present, preserving the local customs of Toy Country.

Heritage on a stroll

Free Application

To discover other stories and anecdotes, plug in your headphones and go back in time following the footsteps and stories of the inhabitants of the valleys.

Independently, download the Patrimoine en Balade application for free.

Hautacam under the stars
Pont d'Espagne under the stars
In the footsteps of miners in Pierrefitte-Nestalas

Industrial evocation of the 20th century in Pierrefitte-Nestalas
Arras, village of Artitude
From one wash house to another in Luz
Pyreneism in Gavarnie-Gèdre

Roland's Breach

Isaby's snake

The fairies of Lake Estaing

The legend of Baiar

Heritage on a stroll

Snow report