The French Pyrenees also offer great value for money. Although the location of Pyrenean resorts is further away in terms of actual distance from Calais, access to the resorts from the airports can be very easy and not very far. You can even get a €15 transfer from Tarbes Lourdes airport to your chosen ski resort. Plus people are often surprised to find out that the drive from Calais to the French Pyrénées is only 10-11 hours.
Read on for more information about resorts and accommodation in the French Pyrenees.
Saint-Lary
.jpg "Family Skiing in Saint Lary") |
| Family Skiing in Saint Lary © David Vilanova |
A traditional and large Pyrenean resort, Saint-Lary is located in the Hautes-Pyrenées. One of the major benefits of this resort is that it offers the best of both worlds - an authentic Pyrenean village combined with up-to-date facilities including lifts and snow cannons.
Saint-Lary is a great location for a family ski holiday, holding a 'Famille Plus' award, showing that the resort has facilities and services geared towards families.
Saint-Lary Soulan ski area is suitable to all levels of skier and consists of 100km of slopes. There are 7 green runs, 26 blue, 14 red and 9 black with 270 snow cannons.
Off the slopes, there is plenty of apres-ski choice, with Saint-Lary being the apres-ski capital of the central Pyrenees.
Accommodation in Saint-Lary
L'Ardoisiere
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| L'Ardoisiere Exterior |
Le Clos Saint-Hilaire
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| Le Clos Saint-Hilaire Exterior |
The 4 star residence of Le Clos Saint-Hilaire in Saint-Lary offers just 31 self-catered ski apartments which are spacious and offer either a balcony or terrace. There is a free shuttle bus to main points of interest which are not far away.
Cami Real
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| Interior of self-catered ski apartment, Cami Real |
Ideally located in the centre of the village, Cami Real in Saint-Lary is a high quality residence that offers convenience and charm. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool and free WiFi access throughout the residence.
Les Rives de L'Aure
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| Les Rives de L'Aure exterior |
Not only is Les Rives de L'Aure right in the centre of the resort, it is also next to the river and only 50m from the Thermal Baths. This recently built residence offers apartments with traditional and cosy interiors.
Soleil d'Aure
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| Soleil d'Aure exterior |
With 66 ski apartments spread over 4 floors, Soleil d'Aure in Saint-Lary is located in the village and only 400m from the ski lifts.
Cauterets
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| Hit the Cirque du Lys slopes from Cauterets © OT Cauterets |
Cauterets originally found fame for its spas which are renowned for their special healing powers. These days, Cauterets offers the most snow assured skiing in the French Pyrenees.
A member of the Kids Station, Cauterets endeavors to accommodate children as much as possible, making it a great resort for families.
Cauterets incorporates Le Cirque du Lys ski area which is great for beginners and intermediates. Skiing in Cauterets offers 35km of pistes including 5 green runs, 9 blue, 9 red and 2 black. Away from the slopes, there are plenty of other activities including bathing in one of the 9 spas, snowshoeing, ice-skating or you could even try your luck at the casino.
Although Cauterets is a small town, it is a lively one, with lots of good value places to go out.
Accommodation in Cauterets
Balnéo Aladin
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| Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool at Balneo Aladin |
Balneo Aladin in Cauterets is a 3 star superior residence, situated in the resort centre and just 100m from the cable car, allowing direct access to the ski area. It is a modern complex comprising 130 self-catering ski apartments. Facilities include free access to the Balnéo centre including heated swimming pools, Jacuzzi and sauna.
Le Domaine des 100 Lacs
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| Le Domaine des 100 Lacs exterior |
Font Romeu (Pyrénées 2000)
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| High altitude skiing in Font Romeu © OT Font Romeu |
Font Romeu is a high altitude resort, situated at 1800m. It is a small and lively ski resort, just 19km away from Perpignan.
Particularly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, the local ski area in Font Romeu comprises 52km of slopes and generally offers shorter and easier runs. Pyrenees 2000 has 58km of slopes. The overall ski area, Neiges Catalanes, offers 275km of pistes comprising 44 green runs, 60 blue, 68 red and 31 black, with 500 snow cannons.
With around 22 restaurants and 9 bars in Font Romeu, there is plenty of choice for your apres-ski. Pyrenees 2000 offers even more choice with ample restaurants and bars as well as a cinema, casino and weekly market.
Accommodation in Font Romeu
Le Pic de l'Ours
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| Modern living in Le Pic de l'Ours |
A 4 star residence, Le Pic de l'Ours in Font Romeu is just 20m from the nearest gondola for easy access to the ski area. It is also located in the resort centre so close to shops and restaurants. A stylish and sophisticated look has been given to its 107 self-catering apartments.
Le Domaine de Castella
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| Terrace views from Le Domaine de Castella |
Peyragudes
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| Ski school in Peyragudes © Maison de Peyragudes |
The Peyragudes ski area offers 60km of pistes comprising 5 green runs, 20 blue, 17 red and 4 black with 230 snow cannons. Snow coverage is very good, with a slope range from 1600m - 2400m and is good for all levels of skiers plus snowboarders.
Peyragudes offers a range of amenities and apres-ski options, at very reasonable prices.
Accommodation in Peyragudes
Le Hameau de Balestas
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| Large ski accommodation at Le Hameau de Balestas |
The residence of Le Hameau de Balestas in Peyragudes comprises individual ski chalets and apartments split over several buildings. There is a free shuttle bus service taking guests to the ski lifts which are only 400m away. The spacious accommodation is fitted to a very good standard.
Les Jardins de Balnéa
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| High standard accommodation at Les Jardins de Balnea |
La Mongie (Grand Tourmalet)
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| Explore the pistes of the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet from La Mongie © OT La Mongie |
La Mongie was purposely built on the slopes, offering direct access to the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet ski area which is the largest skiable region in the French Pyrenees. La Mongie is also close to the resort of Barèges and both resorts are easily accessed from each other, offering plenty of amenities and apres-ski options. There are also 5 mountain restaurants in the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet ski area.
With 100km of pistes, 69 ski slopes (the largest number in the French Pyrenees), 2 snow-parks, 39 ski lifts and an altitude up to 2500m, this is the ideal ski resort for all abilities of skier as well as snowboarders.
Accommodation in La Mongie
Tourmalet
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| South-facing Tourmalet |
The south-facing residence of Tourmalet in La Mongie also faces the Pic du Midi and the slopes of the Domaine du Tourmalet. It is just 500m from the resort centre which can be accessed by a free shuttle bus. The self catered apartments are simple and cosy and there is free access to the indoor heated swimming pool.
Les Angles
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| Plenty of snow in Les Angles © Elisabeth Mars |
An attractive resort, Les Angles is popular with French and Spanish skiers.Many of the ski trails offer picturesque views to those lucky enough to ski them.
Great for families, Les Angles is ideal for beginners and intermediates. It has 50km of pistes comprising 15 green runs, 8 blue, 16 red and 2 black.There is also great access to the ski area of Neige Catalanes where there is 275km of pistes to be discovered and explored.
Les Angles is also renowned for its range of activities off the slopes including the warm springs and the famous 'little yellow train'. There are a variety of restaurants and bars, offering lively and diverse apres-ski.
Accommodation in Les Angles
L'Oree des Cimes
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| L'Oree des Cimes in the centre of Les Angles |
Recently built, L'Oree des Cimes in Les Angles is situated near to the shops and services at the centre of the resort as well as 50m from the ski slopes. The self-catered apartments are fitted and finished to a very good standard.
Prat de Lis
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| True door-step skiing from Prat de Lis |
Situated at the foot of the ski slopes, Prat de Lis in Les Angles offers door-step skiing and is only 300m from the resort centre. Guests of the 70 modern self-catered apartments benefit from free access to the sauna and Jacuzzi.
View here for French Pyrenees ski holiday special offers
Special Offers
There are some great special offers to be had for ski holidays at resorts in the French Pyrenees including accommodation discounts and lift pass offers. Discounts are available for both peak (including Easter) and off-peak dates.View here for French Pyrenees ski holiday special offers
Flying to the Pyrenees - French Pyrenees Airports
There are several airports in or close to the French Pyrenees. Here is a list of the airports and the resorts they service:
Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees airport - Cauterets, La Mongie, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Pau Pyrénées airport - Cauterets, La Mongie, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Toulouse airport - Cauterets, Font Romeu, Les Angles, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Perpignan airport - Font Romeu, Les Angles
Girona airport - Les Angles
Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees airport - Ryanair, Air France, FlybeAirlines to the French Pyrenees
Pau Pyrénées airport - Air France
Toulouse airport - British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, KLM, Air France, Flybe
Perpignan airport - Flybe, Air France
Girona airport - Air France, Ryanair
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