Cycling around the Lourdes Region

There is so much on offer in terms of cycling in the Lourdes region which incorporates the towns of Lourdes, Argeles Gazost, Luz Saint Sauveur, and Bagnéres-de-Bigorre. This area of the French Pyrenees offers up so many different cycling options and is where many thousands of people choose to go for their cycling holiday each year. Lourdes’ location and proximity close to many famous Tour de France mountain climbs make it a very popular choice, especially among road cyclists. Cycling the famous climbs of the Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam, and Col d’Aubisque are just a few of the climbs available to ride when basing yourself in this area. The benefits of staying in one of the towns or villages listed above will mean the end of your ride will always finish with a downhill or flat run.

We have put together the information on this page to help you plan out your own cycling holiday in the Lourdes region of the Pyrenees. We have primarily focused on the larger towns and villages in the region where there is a good range of accommodation, restaurants, and services. It is not to say these are the only options for accommodation and there are plenty of smaller villages in the area such as Saint-Savin and Pierrefitte Nestalis you may wish to consider as well.

Cycling routes near Lourdes

There is a great choice of cycling near Lourdes which you can choose from. In fact, we spent a single two-week block here on one of our visits and did not ride the same route twice. There is something for everyone here from a gentle rail trail to the famous cols of the Tour de France. We have put together a list of routes to help with your planning. Each cycling route mapped out below includes the ability to download files to a range of devices and includes other helpful information. The majority of the routes start and finish in Argeles Gazost but can be easily ridden from most of the other towns listed below or modified to suit your requirements.

How to get to the Lourdes Region

If you are planning to spend your holiday cycling in Lourdes you will notice the town itself is the natural gateway to the region. Lourdes is very well served by regular air and rail services with onwards connections to other destinations along the valley by bus or taxi. The travel website Rome2rio.com is an excellent site to help plan your trip to the Pyrenees. Simply enter your start and endpoints and it will tell you the different options available, cost range, and timetable.

Cycling accommodation options near Lourdes

As the Lourdes region is a popular cycling destination there are a number of accommodation options that cater specifically to the cycling market. Typically these establishments provide secure bike lock-up and maintenance areas, a bike wash down area, special catering, and of course plenty of local advice on conditions and where to ride. A number of these places also operate tour-style businesses where you stay in one place and ride set routes each day which are fully supported.

To help plan your stay we have included a list of the cycling-specific accommodation options below.

Book other types of accommodation

There are plenty of other options available to you if this style of accommodation is not what you are after. To help you plan we have provided links to a number of booking sites so you can see what is available. Have a look at our page on French accommodation types if you are not sure what is available.

Eating and drinking

There is no shortage of places to eat and drink in the area and we generally turn to tripadvisor.com to look at options for restaurants and cafés or just take a punt on a place that looks nice and busy and is open and serving food. We have yet to be disappointed.

Discover these Farmers markets near Lourdes

There are a number of weekly farmers’ markets in the region that are worth checking out if you have the time. Here you will find lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as local cheeses, small goods, seafood, and meats. Times for the markets are:

• Lourdes – Thursday morning
• Argeles Gazost – Tuesday morning
• Pierrefitte Nestalis – Saturday morning
• Cauterets – Friday morning
• Luz Saint Sauveur – Monday morning
• Bagnére de Bigorre – Saturday morning

The markets will typically start between 7 am and 8 am and run through to lunchtime or until sold out. The markets are held in town squares and are easy to spot. Lourdes also has an undercover market known as the Halles of Lourdes located in Place du Champ Commun. It runs from Monday to Saturday starting at 6.30 am and finishing at 1 pm.

Regional foods to try on your Pyrenees cycling holiday

Every region in France has is culinary specialties and the Pyrenees is no different. Some things to try include:

• Gâteau à la Broche – a spit-fired cake traditionally cooked over an open fire.
• Brebis cheese – a cheese traditionally made from sheep’s milk. There can be many variations in flavor and texture from village to village so try a few different ones.
• Porc Noir de Bigorre – pork meat from the Gascon Noir De Bigorre pigs, the oldest breed of pig in France. It has been granted Appellation d’origine côntrolée (AOC) status meaning only meat from these specific pigs in the Pyrenees can be called Porc Noir de Bigorre.
• Barege-Gavarnie Lamb – meat from sheep that roam the high pastures in the mountains it has also been granted AOC status.
• Like the southwest of France expect to see plenty of duck and goose on the menu including confit and other dishes as well as plenty of fresh local fruit and vegetables.

Bike shops and hire near Lourdes

If you need to hire a bike for your cycling holiday in Lourdes then you will find many options available to you. This part of the Pyrenees has several bike rental services, largely this is owing to the popularity of cycle tourism in the area. In the table below you will find an outline of cycling stores as well as places that offer rental bikes in the Lourdes region. You can sort the table via location to find the one most suitable for you. Be sure to double-check that the store you select is not too far from where you are staying.

If you do need to rent a bike for your cycling holiday in the Pyrenees then we definitely recommend getting in touch directly with the hire shop and arranging this well in advance of your holiday. This will avoid the disappointment of missing out on a rental due to popular demand.

Another tip is to make sure the bike you hire is equipped with gearing which will allow you to climb the mountains with a greater level of comfort. Most road bikes for hire in the Pyrenees will now come with compact gearing to allow for this, but it is best to be certain! Disc brake options are now also steadily becoming more readily available and will serve you well for those long descents back down the Pyrenees mountains. Again you can request this specifically from the bike hire service when arranging your rental.

Other activities to discover on your cycling holiday in Lourdes

Whether you want to spend some time off the bikes or have family members that are not keen cyclists there are plenty of other activities and attractions to keep you occupied in this part of the Pyrenees. Included below are some of our suggestions.

Thermal spas

People have been traveling to this area to enjoy the many thermal spas for hundreds of years and you will find spas in many of the towns offering a range of treatments and pools. Also a great idea after a hard day on the bike. We have compiled a list of some of the spas you may wish to visit, click on the name to access their website.

• Thermes Barèges – Barèges
• Thermes Cauterets – Cauterets
• Les Bains du Rocher – Cauterets
• Thermes de Luz Saint Sauveur – Luz Saint Sauveur (note this is just outside the town at the base of the Luz Ariden climb)
• Les Jardine des Bains – Argeles Gazost
• Thermes Argeles – Argeles Gazost

Animal Parks

There are two animal parks for you to visit. The Parc Animalier des Peyérénees is located in Argeles Gazost and is home to a range of animals including bears, wolves, and birds. The Donjon des Aigles is located in the village of Beaucens and showcases birds of prey including vultures, eagles, and falcons.

Top Pyrenees Attractions in the Lourdes region

There are a number of “must-see” attractions in the region that you could add to your list of things to do. The Pic du Midi observatory sits at an elevation of 2,877m above Col du Tourmalet. It is accessed by cable car from the ski resort of La Mongie and has commanding views of the surrounding mountains. A shuttle service also runs from Lourdes.

The Cirque de Gavarnie is on the UNESCO world heritage list and is home to the second-highest waterfall in Europe. The massive rock walls rise up to 1,500m above the cirque floor creating an amazing rock amphitheater of peaks reaching over 3,000m above sea level.

Pont d’Espagne is a stone bridge that used to connect France and Spain and is accessed from the town of Cauterets. From here you can access beautiful mountain streams and lakes and of course the stunning mountain scenery.

Day trips

For something a bit different there is also the possibility of day trips away from the mountains. From Lourdes, it is easy to jump on a train and head into Toulouse for the day or in the other direction to Bordeaux and sample the region’s famous wines. The town of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast can also be accessed by train.

If you are looking for transport options for your day trip we find the rome2rio.com site provides all the details you will need to help you plan your excursion.

As you can see, there is no shortage of other activities in the mountains for your consideration also. Whether it be mountain biking, paragliding, white water rafting, or rock climbing there is no shortage of things to see and do.

Where to Stay in the Lourdes region?

Lourdes

The largest town in the region, Lourdes is famous for the millions of pilgrims who come each year to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes where, it is said, the waters have special healing properties. The town sits at the foothills of the Pyrenees on the banks of the Gave de Pau and has great views up the valley to the mountains. Lourdes is well serviced with banks, supermarkets, doctors, chemists, and car rental.

Argeles Gazost

Located 13km from Lourdes, Argeles Gazost is a great base for cycling in the Pyrenees. The town is well serviced by bike shops, accommodation, and other facilities and is often visited by the Tour de France. During the summer months, the town is full of cyclists, hikers, and holidaymakers giving it a great atmosphere

Luz Saint Sauveur

Sitting in the valley between Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden, the village of Luz Saint Sauveur is another great option to base yourself in the mountains. The town is a hive of activity in both the winter and summer months and there are plenty of cycling and non-cycling activities to choose from. Located 29km from Lourdes it is connected by bus and taxi.

Cauterets

The spa town of Cauterets sits up in the mountains serving both the winter skiers and summer walkers, mountain bikers, and cyclists. The town is renowned for its thermal springs and 19th-century architecture and is well worth a visit even if you don’t plan to stay here. There are plenty of things to do and see all year round. The town of Cauterets is situated 30km from Lourdes and is connected by bus and taxi.

Bagnéres-de-Biggore

Another of the region’s spa towns Bagnéres de Bigorre sits at the foothills of the mountains on the river Adour and is only 13km from the base of the eastern side of Tourmalet. Access to Col d’Aspin and Hourquette d’Ancizan is much closer from here than the other towns listed. There are plenty of things to do and see around the town. It is located 22km from Lourdes and 23km from Tarbes. Direct buses run from Tarbes which is connected to the TGV and RER train network.

Further information

We have included some useful websites to help you see what is on offer and plan your trip.

Viator.com – book a range of tours and attractions before you leave home

Lourdes tourism – includes lots of information about Lourdes and the surrounding area

Vallees de Gavarnie – information covering Argeles Gazost, Barèges, Cauterets, Gavarnie and more