What are the best campsites in the Hautes-Pyrénées?
5-star campsite in Argelès-Gazost with a water park and spa area
Located in Argelès-Gazost, in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, the 5-star Les 3 Vallées campsite ***** is set within a 13-hectare wooded estate. Its 2,000 m² water park features three heated outdoor pools, an indoor pool, four slides, two paddling pools and a lazy river. Holidaymakers can also enjoy a spa area with jacuzzis and hydro-massage jets. Children have access to a kids’ club and leisure facilities, whilst entertainment and shows provide a lively programme throughout the day and evening. Just a few minutes from the centre of Argelès-Gazost, the campsite is an ideal base for exploring the major attractions of the Pyrenees.
A 4-star camping holiday in the Hautes-Pyrénées with a lagoon and river access
In Bagnères-de-Bigorre, around thirty kilometres from Argelès-Gazost, the Monlôo campsite **** offers an exceptional setting with views of the Pic du Midi. Its main attraction is a 3,000 m² lagoon bordered by a fine sandy beach, complemented by a heated indoor swimming pool and water slides. It offers mobile homes, chalets and spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. In summer, entertainment, tournaments, concerts s and evening events add to the holiday experience. At the foot of the Col du Tourmalet, it is an ideal base for exploring the Hautes-Pyrénées and enjoying mountain activities.
Campsite in Guchen near Saint-Lary: swimming pool, river and hiking in the Pyrenees
Located in Guchen, in the heart of the Aure Valley, near Saint-Lary-Soulan, the Lavedan campsite **** welcomes you to a peaceful setting by the river. Open from 15 June to 15 September, it offers a heated outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant-bar-pizzeria and comfortable mobile homes. Hikers can enjoy direct access to the trails, including the GR 105. During the season, entertainment is organised for the whole family. An ideal spot for exploring the unspoilt landscapes of the Hautes-Pyrénées.image
Airotel Pyrénées Campsite in Luz-Saint-Sauveur: swimming pools, spa facilities and mountain views
Located in Esquièze-Sère, near Luz-Saint-Sauveur, the four-star Airotel Pyrénées campsite **** enjoys a prime location in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. It is the perfect base for exploring the Cirque de Gavarnie, the Pic du Midi, the Col du Tourmalet and the Pont d’Espagne, with several ski resorts less than 40 minutes away in winter. The campsite features three heated swimming pools, one of which is indoor, water slides, a spa area with a spa, jacuzzi and hammam, as well as a gym and a multi-sports pitch. Family entertainment is available during the season.
Discover all the campsites in the Hautes-Pyrénées here.
What are the must-see attractions in the Hautes-Pyrénées?
Visit Lourdes: shrines, a fortified castle and panoramic views of the Pyrenees
World-famous for its Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the town of Lourdes is the second most important Catholic pilgrimage site in the world after Rome. Every year, several million visitors come to explore the famous Grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in 1858. The basilicas, the processions , and the banks of the Gave de Pau create a unique atmosphere, blending spirituality, heritage and contemplation.
But visiting Lourdes also means discovering a nature destination in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Overlooking the town, the fortified castle of Lourdes houses a museum and offers a superb panoramic view of the sanctuaries and the peaks of the Pyrenees. The Pic du Jer, accessible by funicular, reveals a spectacular view of the Pyrenees mountain range and is also a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts. Finally, Lake Lourdes, with its beach open in summer, provides a lovely complement to a holiday combining cultural discoveries and outdoor activities.
Discover all the campsites in Lourdes here.
The Cirque de Gavarnie: a must-see natural site in the Hautes-Pyrénées
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Cirque de Gavarnie is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Situated in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, this immense glacial amphitheatre is dominated by peaks rising to over 3,000 metres, including Mont Perdu (3,355 m), and offers spectacular scenery.
The walk to the Cirque de Gavarnie is suitable for the whole family. From the village of Gavarnie, one of the highest in the Hautes-Pyrénées, it takes less than an hour’s walk (or a ride on a mule) to reach the bottom of the cirque. All along the route, numerous waterfalls line the path, including the famous Gavarnie Waterfall, which stands 422 metres high and is one of the largest in Europe.
Nearby, the Brèche de Roland – an impressive natural gap in the mountain – is another unmissable attraction. According to legend, this gap was created by Roland, Charlemagne’s nephew. With its hiking trails, spectacular views and exceptional natural heritage, the Cirque de Gavarnie is one of the must-see attractions during a stay in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre: an exceptional view of the Pyrenees
Among the must-see sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre offers a unique experience. Rising to an altitude of 2,877 metres, it is accessible by cable car from La Mongie and captivates visitors as much with its panoramic views as with its famous astronomical observatory.
At the summit, visitors can explore an area dedicated to astronomy through exhibitions, films, models and observational instruments. The two panoramic terraces and the spectacular sky bridge offer views stretching over 300 km, from the peaks of the Pyrenees to the foothills of the Massif Central when conditions are favourable.
For an unforgettable experience, it is even possible to spend the night at the summit. After dinner with a view of the mountains, visitors watch the sunset, gaze at a starry sky of exceptional clarity, and then enjoy the sunrise over the Pyrenees. An unmissable visit for lovers of the great outdoors, the mountains and astronomy.image
Cauterets and the Pont d’Espagne: a must-see in the Hautes-Pyrénées
Nestled at an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres, Cauterets is one of the most iconic resorts in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Surrounded by fir forests, the village is renowned for its mountain torrents and thermal springs, some of which reach 55°C. Highly prized since the 19th century by writers such as Chateaubriand, Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert and George Sand, Cauterets is now a popular resort both in winter, for downhill and cross-country skiing, and in summer for its many hiking trails.
Just 7 km away, the Pont d’Espagne, designated a ‘Grand Site de France’ and situated in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, is one of the region’s most beautiful natural sites. Once a crossing point between France and Spain, it captivates visitors with its waterfalls, torrents and spectacular landscapes. It is also the starting point for several hikes, notably to the famous Lac de Gaube, which can be reached in around 1 hour 30 minutes there and back on foot or partly via the chairlift.
As you continue your walk, the trails offer magnificent views of the Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees at 3,298 metres. With its natural heritage, mountain lakes and exceptional panoramic views, Cauterets and the Pont d’Espagne are among the must-see attractions in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
Fancy a refreshing break during your camping holiday?
Discover the most beautiful swimming spots in the Hautes-Pyrénées: lakes, rivers and must-visit locations.