Travel Guide Arette

The last village before the ski resort, Arette offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers. Caving is a major activity, with 444 kilometers of underground galleries! Cycling fans are also well catered for in Arette, a regular stopover for the Tour de France. Every year, many of them tackle the summits like the champions before them, such as Pinot, Valverde and Froome. In winter, alpine and Nordic skiers and snowshoers take their place. Fishing, climbing, hiking: these high mountain pastures are an unspoilt playground where nature and heritage beckon. The church boasts a magnificent 16th-century lectern, an altarpiece and modern stained-glass windows, a curious rooster cross, the Salet fountain and the communal mill... Barétous has a rich history, which the Maison du Barétous presents against a backdrop of pastoralism. A terrible earthquake in 1967 destroyed more than 80% of the town, including the church tower, and this tragedy is also evoked here. Today, Arette is banking on the development of La Pierre-Saint-Martin and winter sports, with projects in partnership with the Spanish in particular, but it should be remembered that the town has existed since 1186. With its 9,223 hectares, La Pierre-Saint-Martin is a vast mountain community. Its highest point is Soum de Couy (2,315 m), close to Pic d'Anie (2,504 m). Nature lovers can take the botanical trail or the Pierre Saint-Martin interpretation trail to discover mountain flora.