Travel Guide Luz-Saint-Sauveur

In the heart of the Pyrenees, the Luz-Saint-Sauveur valley is home to exceptional sites such as the Pont d'Espagne and the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie. Typical of Toy country, at 750 meters, the village is one of the most charming in the mountains. Surrounded by breathtaking panoramas, Luz-Saint-Sauveur is one of the gateways to the Pyrenees National Park. These romantic landscapes have inspired the most illustrious poets, such as Georges Sand, and Victor Hugo, who, dazzled by the town in 1843, wrote that "three great rays of daylight enter through the three embrasures of the three mountains. They named this town Lumière, Luz". The town's heritage is splendid, linked to great history and illustrious figures such as Napoleon III. From the remains of the Château Sainte-Marie to the 12th-century church and fortified walls built by the Knights Templar, not forgetting the little wash-houses dotting the narrow streets, everything here is pure enchantment. However, the city of light has not always benefited from nature's leniency. Its position at the confluence of the Gaves de Gavarnie and Bastan rivers has led to numerous floods. It has also experienced earthquakes, the most terrible of which, in 1660, was felt over 400 kilometers away. A picturesque town, Luz grew with the discovery of naturally warm water, which led to the construction of thermal baths in the 16th century. From the Pont Napoléon, which spans the Gave de Gavarnie, you can see the deep canyon carved out by the river and bungee jump. In winter, of course, the family resort of Luz-Ardiden is the center of attention!