Bagneres-de-Luchon travel guide
Visit Bagneres-de-Luchon (Occitanie, France)
Photo Gallery Book hotels, flights, car hireThe town of Bagnères-de-Luchon is a spa town in the heart of the Pyrenees, surrounded by steep hills and imposing scenery. The location of the town has been inhabited since the Bronze age, with the healing powers of the thermal waters first recognised by the Romans.
Many centuries later the town had a renaissance when the baths were redeveloped by the Baron d'Etigny - this explains why several hotels and restaurants in the town bear the name of Etigny. The town continued to develop as a spa town in the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon III and still today Bagnères-de-Luchon has a reputation as an active thermal spa treatment centre.
Exploring Bagneres-de-Luchon
France This Way review: while some of the 'belle epoque' towns in the Pyrenees appear to struggle on with faded glory and equally faded buildings, Bagneres most certainly gives the appearance of a modern bustling town with an eye to the future.
Start your visit in the centre of Luchon where you can see a good number of nicely restored 19th century hotels and grand houses, both along the main tree lined boulevard through the town and also in the back streets around.
At one end of the main street you can see the very substantial spa complex, where it faces a large square with nicely maintained gardens.
As with any self-respecting French 19th century resort there is a substantial casino complex, an imposing building in red brick and stone, in the centre of Luchon. There are also large gardens around the casino, including established sequoia trees and the town is proud to be a 'Ville fleuri' (a 'town in bloom' noted for its flowers).
Another particular highlight in the town centre is the church of Notre-Dame of the Assumption, an imposing building in the roman style with some very impressive ancient frescoes around the nave. You will also see a small Templars chapel in Bagneres but that is looking rather neglected at the moment.
More than these individual highlights it is the town itself that is the big attraction, sunny and lively, clean and friendly, and with a great deal to commend a visit. There is also no shortage of hotels in Luchon to suit all budgets, and plentiful restaurants and bars.
Weekly markets are held on wednesday and saturday mornings, or every day during the summer months.
There is a museum where you can learn more about the long history of the town.
Note: the name of the town is often shortened to Luchon on road signs and in tourist infomation.
To visit near to Bagnères
The ski-resort at Superbagneres is close by (8 minutes up the hillside by cable car) - see our article about skiing in the Pyrenees for details about skiing at both Superbagneres and other resorts in the Pyrenees.
A particular local scenic highlight is the Cascade d'enfer, a high waterfall in the Lys Valley, while numerous other trails are popular, including many focussed around nearby Hospice de France, in the mountains.
We particularly enjoyed exploring the little villages in the valleys such as the Valley d'Oueil and the Larboust Valley, both north-west of Luchon but you will find lakes and waterfalls in lovely scenery in many places nearby. There are numerous other activities and natural sites close to the town, with lakes and waterfalls featuring among the most popular - ask at the Bagneres tourist office for details of the walks and drives that explore the most popular of these
Among the other most popular activities are a tour along the mountain passes made famous by the Tour de France such as the Col de Peyresourde; the walk to the scenic Lac d'Oô; and a visit to the scenic village of Arreau a little way to the north of Bagneres.
You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Garonne guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
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Visit near Bagneres-de-Luchon with France This Way reviews
Col de Peyresourde
The Col de Peyresourde is a mountain pass in the pyrenees, which often forms part of the Tour de France route
Col de Peyresourde guide
Arreau
Deep in the Pyrenees on a small river, Arreau is a delightful small town to explore
Arreau guide
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
2000 years ago the town of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges had 10000 inhabitants - now it has 250! The Saint Bertrand de Comminges cathedral is the highlight in the old town centre
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges guide
Valcabrere
Valcabrere deserves a visit because of the very lovely roman style basilica of Saint-Just de Valcabrère, built on the edge of the village in the 12th century
Valcabrere guide
Col d'Aspin
The Col d'Aspin is an important mountain pass in the west of the Pyrenees
Col d'Aspin guide
Audressein
Audressein is a very small village in a picturesque river valley, visited for the ancient frescoes in the porch of the church
Audressein guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Garonne
Address: Bagnères-de-Luchon, Saint-Gaudens, Midi-Pyrenees, 31110, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 42.791, longitude 0.5947
Plan your visit to Bagneres-de-Luchon, Haute-Garonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Cirque des Crabioules: site of natural beauty (9 km)
- Lac d'Oo: site of natural beauty (10 km)
- Jézeau église Saint-Laurent (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (21 km)
- St Bertrand de Comminges cathédrale (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (26 km)
- Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges: most beautiful village (26 km)
- St Bertrand de Comminges chapelle St Julien (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (26 km)
- Valcabrère basilique St Just (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (26 km)
- Henne Morte: site of natural beauty (30 km)
- Aragnouet chapelle des templiers (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (33 km)
- Gouffre d'Esparros: site of natural beauty (34 km)
- Audressein Église Notre-Dame de Tramesaygues (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (38 km)
- Col du Tourmalet: site of natural beauty (39 km)
Market days in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France
A seasonal market is held in Bagneres-de-Luchon on every day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Bagneres-de-Luchon (Francais)