Stage site for the 7th time
Ski resort in Haute-Garonne (31)
Population: 2,200 in Bagnères-de-Luchon (Luchonnais, Luchonnaises), 15,500 in the Pyrenees Haut-garonnaises community of communes (76 communes)
Specialities: water, Pyrenean gastronomy, Peteram (a dish based on mutton tripe), Pistache (a variant of cassoulet), gâteau à la Broche (a cake for family celebrations), Oô organic trout, Dardenne chocolates (handmade since 1897), Abellio soap factory.
Personalities: Edmond Rostand, Guy and Roger Lapébie (cyclists), Britt and Ingrid Lafforgue (skiers), Lys Gauty (singer).
Sport: skiing at Super-Bagnères, cycling.
Economy: thermal baths, winter tourism with 3 ski resorts: Luchon Superbagnères, Bourg d'Oueil, Peyragudes. Summer tourism. A bottling plant for Luchon mineral water. Several EDF hydroelectric power stations: 2 dams, one on the Portillon and one on the road to Peyragudes. 1 SNCF bus station.
Festivals: Festival international du film de télévision (February), Festival Jazz en Cordée (March), Luchon Rock Festival (July), Fête des fleurs (August)
Slogan: Luchon, Queen of the Pyrenees
Labels: Tour de France cycling city (2 bikes) / Tourist resort / Great Occitan sites / Green resort / 3-flower Villes et Villages Fleuris (Towns and Villages in bloom)
Websites / FB / Twitter: www.luchon-superbagneres.com, www.pyrenees31.com, www.mairie-luchon.fr, www.luchon.com / www.cc-paysdeluchon.fr / Facebook mairie / Facebook OT / Twitter
Luchon-Superbagnères and Cycling
Prevented from returning to Superbagnères because of an out-of-order bridge, this year the Tour is returning to a legendary place in its history. It was the resort overlooking Bagnères-de-Luchon that undoubtedly marked the beginning of the decline of one of the sport's greatest champions: Bernard Hinault. The Frenchman, who was supposed to support Greg LeMond in the 1986 race, seemed to break his word by attacking his American team-mate at every turn, including in the Pau-Superbagnères stage, which he entered with a solid lead over the American. But just as the Breton seemed to have knocked out the race for good, starting with his leader, he collapsed, leaving Greg LeMond to make up most of his deficit overall. LeMond's victory at the summit meant that he could begin to glimpse the first Tour de France victory for an American. The Badger can't claim to have been surprised by the climb, since he had won a time trial there in 1979.
This great moment overshadowed all the Tour's other forays into Superbagnères, which instead holds another special place in the race's history as the site of the finish of the shortest stage ever contested (19.3km since Luchon in 1971). Jose Manuel Fuente won that stage. Nine years earlier, it was another Spanish king of the mountains, Federico Bahamontes, who raised his arms here. The race had not been held in Superbagnères since 1989, when Robert Millar won the stage.
Sights
Romanesque church of Saint-Aventin
Foundation: 11th and 12th centuries
Style: Romanesque
Characteristics: the church, with two bell towers, has a porch adorned with sculptures and historiated capitals depicting scenes from the life and martyrdom of Saint-Aventin. Inside, there are monumental paintings, a baptismal font and a wrought-iron altar rail. The church is one of a number of remarkable Romanesque churches in the Larboust and Louron valleys.
Special features: the exterior walls bear numerous stelae and pagan altars dedicated to Pyrenean gods, including Abellio and Aherbelst.
Listed as: historical monument since 1840.
Luchon Festival of Television Creations
Since 1999, the Festival des créations télévisuelles de Luchon has become a not-to-be-missed event for French-speaking television creators. In 2024, due to a lack of funds, the festival had to concentrate on a single day, but it is back on track in 2025 with two new directors, Marie Séguret and Mathieu Jabaud, and a new focus on streaming.
Allées d'Étigny
This is an exceptional avenue, with an abundance of remarkable buildings inspired by a wide variety of styles: late 18th-century neoclassical, English or neo-Gothic, Swiss or Russian-inspired chalets, Art Nouveau or Art Deco, not forgetting the many examples from the Second Empire, and the surprisingly monumental architecture of the Vaporarium, typical of the 1960s.
Luchon Country Museum
Housed since 1926 in the charming little château built in 1772 by the Baron de Labarthe-de-Neste on the edge of the Allées d'Etigny, this museum exhibits the treasures of the local terroir.
Luchon-Superbagnères
The Luchon Superbagnères ski area is a veritable natural balcony, with 4 slopes offering incomparable panoramic views over the Luchon valley, the legendary Maladeta peaks and the roof of the Pyrenees: Aneto. Direct access to the ski area takes just 6 minutes thanks to the cable car located in Luchon town centre.
Thermal baths
The leading spa town in the Midi-Pyrénées region has traditionally been devoted to the classic treatment of respiratory tract ailments and rheumatism. The town boasts a rare thermal spring, probably the highest in the Pyrenees. The Luchon Forme et Bien-Etre centre houses the Vaporarium, a natural hammam unique in Europe, where the thermal water creates a gentle, moist heat of between 38°c and 42°c.
Casino
Built: 1878-1880
History and features: the Casino de Luchon, with its eclectic Second Empire architecture, is a major site in the cultural life of Luchon. Even today, its various auditoriums, including the Henry Pac auditorium and the Napoléon III theatre, host major cultural events. Veranda with stained glass windows by Louis-Victor Gesta, park designed by landscape architect Chevallier covering almost 4 hectares, Norman pavilion.
Listed as: historical monument in 1999.
Hospice de France
Created in the 17th century to control the passage through the port of Vénasque and provide assistance to people in difficulty, the Hospice de France went on to become a renowned hotel and restaurant. Renovated in 2009, the building now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the site and its flora and fauna. Located at 1,380 metres, it is the starting point for many hikes and climbs of all levels.
To Eat
Peteram
Peteram is a tripe-based dish typical of the Luchon region. Here's the recipe. After washing carefully and rinsing in vinegar, blanch the tripe, sheep's feet and veal for 4 to 5 minutes, then cut into small pieces. Brown the onions and carrots in the lard. Place 2 ham bones, the tripe, strawberry, feet, onions and carrots in the pressure cooker. Cover with water, season with pepper, cloves, thyme and parsley.
Leave to cook for 2 hours, then add the chopped potatoes. Leave to cook for a further 1 hour.
