Where to Stay in the French Pyrenees: Trip Planning

Are you planning a trip to the French Pyrenees Mountains and wondering where to stay and base yourself? This is a vast area with a lot going on, and to help with the planning process, I’m sharing popular areas with things to see and do. This guide also covers how to get there, where to eat, drink and where to stay in the French Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees is a mountain chain that forms the natural border between France and Spain while engulfing the country of Andorra. It’s a year-round playground for lovers of the outdoors, breathtaking scenery and a range of thermal bath and spa wellness experiences. It’s my kind of heaven and one for your bucket list. If you’re still looking for some destination inspiration, check out my detailed Pyrenees hiking and sights guide.  

How to get to the French Pyrenees

Due to the remote location of many sights and hikes in the Pyrenees, determining the best way to get there is vital. The closest airports are Lourdes-Tarbes-Pyrénées and Pau-Pyrénées, but Montpellier and Toulouse-Blagnac may offer more flight options and are a short drive away. 

The easiest way to explore the area is by car and the way I recommend seeing the Pyrenees. It gives you more freedom to explore and pull over at scenic spots as you drive around. I highly recommend renting a car from your arrival airport so you can start your journey when it suits you.   

However, if a car isn’t an option, several train stations and a local bus network will allow you to get around. Naturally, they won’t be as quick as your own transport, but there are options. For example, the village of Lourdes has a TGV train connection to and from Paris that takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. A shuttle bus (navette) runs between the stations in Cauterets and Lourdes. But another option to go sightseeing from Lourdes is a Pyrenees tour available that includes visiting a market, Pyrenean town, the Cirque de Gavarnie and stopping for an aperitif. 

When to Visit the Pyrenees

The whole area has a lot to offer during any season, so it depends on what you’d like to do. The Pyrenees are at their busiest during the summer months as visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking and general outdoor sightseeing. If you can try and visit off-peak during the shoulder seasons, this would avoid the crowds and give the best experience (April through mid-June, September and October). The Pyrenees is also home to several ski resorts and thermal baths. These are the busiest during the winter and vary depending on the snow conditions.

Where to Stay in the French Pyrenees

This selection highlights the best French Pyrenean towns to stay in while exploring the Pyrenees.

Cauterets

One of the first places I recommend staying is Cauterets. This small French Pyrenean town is an excellent place to base yourself for a few days. It has several amenities, things going on, and it’s close to hiking trails and sights. This classic mountain town also has two thermal baths and a UNESCO world heritage church. Cauterets is also on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route, making it a significant historical stop for many.

There are a variety of accommodation options to suit any budget. For apartments, homes or chalet rentals, VRBO offers a great selection. If you’re looking for a hotel, I recommend the Hôtel du Lion d’Or. It’s a 3-star and one of the oldest in the town, so it’s full of charm and unique decor. It is family-run, and they serve homecooked food all day to enjoy.

Bagnères-de-Luchon

This mountain town is known as the Queen of the Pyrenees, and for good reason. There are endless activities and sights to see, so a great place to base yourself on your adventures. The tourist information centre is brilliant, and the staff will help you out with any questions or other recommendations you need. The peak season is during winter as there’s a popular ski resort, Superbagnères, located just up the mountain. Luchon has many restaurant choices, cafes and supermarkets too. The border with Spain is only 10 kilometres from the town centre, so if you fancy visiting, it’s not far away.   

We stayed at The Jardins de Ramel, a holiday rental complex offering small apartments with a kitchenette and balcony. The complex has private parking and is located in the centre of town, making it a convenient affordable spot. We didn’t visit during ski season, so the pricing was very reasonable. A one-bedroom apartment was 55€ per night. If this is unavailable, there are other similar affordable apartment options in Luchon. But if you’d rather opt for a hotel, I recommend the Hôtel Panoramic. It’s in the middle of town, and some rooms have panoramic views of the Pyrenees (hence the name). There is a great breakfast buffet, and the overall architecture is charming.

Estaing

We based ourselves in Estaing at a campsite called Camping Pyrenees Natura (hit the translate button if you require it). It’s a 30-minute drive from the town of Lourdes and a further 40 minutes to Cauterets. We hadn’t done much research beforehand, so it was a great budget find and the perfect place to base ourselves. We booked the Coco Sweet Glamping Pod, which has a double bed, kitchen area, lounge and outdoor terrace with a barbeque grill. There are also pitch options available.

The whole campground is set in a picturesque valley with beautiful high mountain views and friendly owners. It’s also a hop skip and a jump from Lac d’Estaing, one of the most popular lakes in the French Pyrenees. They’ve got a small convenience store, restaurant and bar onsite, which is perfect to come back to after a long day of exploring. I can’t wait to return again. 

Where to Stay in the Pyrenees National Park

The Pyrenees National Park is one of the most visited areas in the Pyrenees. There is a high concentration of hiking trails, natural wonders and great sites every visitor should see. The town of Cauterets is the closest to the national park, and where I recommend staying.

Where to Eat & Drink

Bagnères-de-Luchon

La Tute De L’Ours is located in the centre of town and serves great simple food and a selection of quality wines. The décor is charming, and the portions are large.   

L’Arbesquens – This restaurant is known for its melted cheesy goodness – fondue and raclette. As soon as you step through the door, the smell begins to give you a hug. This place is my number one recommendation because the food is out of this world amazing! You’ve likely earned it that day, or you’re going to work it off the next day from hiking, skiing or sightseeing. Treat yourself. 

Les Galeries Gourmandes is a wine bar in the heart of the town centre and the perfect place to grab a casual drink. They have an extensive wine and gin list on offer, as well as typical bar options. They serve tapas too, but I don’t think they’re known for their food.

Estaing

L’Étape du Randonneur is the restaurant located within the campsite we stayed at, Camping Pyrenees Natura. They allow walk-ins, so you don’t need to be staying there to enjoy their delicious meals. They serve up classic French cuisine with a friendly smile.

Things to do in the Pyrenees

Discover the best hiking trails, sights and thermal bath experiences in my detailed guide. Adventure awaits you in the French Pyrenees, enjoy every minute of it.

Thanks for reading, I hope this has been a useful guide on where to stay in the French Pyrenees. Do you have any other places you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram.

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