Town in Hautes-Pyrénées (65)
Stage town for the 13th time.
Population: 850 (Saint-Laryens, Saint-Laryennes), 229,000 Hauts-Pyrénéens.
Specialities: Bigorre black pork, spit-roasted cake, garbure, mountain honey, etc...
Personalities: Isabelle Mir (ski champion and silver medallist at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics), Jean Henri Mir (former mayor and rugby international in the 1960s), Xavier de Le Rue (snowboard, 7-time world champion), Paul Henri de Le Rue (snowboard, Olympic medallist at the 2006 Turin Olympics).
Sport: COS (rugby), the Brown Bears (snowboard) and the Ski Club. National and international ski and snowboard events throughout the season.
Events: Poney Session (March), Freestyle Snowboard World Cup (March), St Lary Patou Trail (June), La Pyrénéenne (gran fondo, July), Grand Raid des Pyrénées, Triathlon of the Pyrenees, X' Trem Freeride.
Economy: 4-season tourist resort (more than 27,000 beds, 700-hectare ski area with 100km of runs for snowboarding and cross-country skiing), sulphur water-based spa (3,500 spa visitors and 35,000 for fitness treatments), recognised training centre for top sportsmen and women (professional rugby, cycling teams, French snowboarding team, etc.), EDF hydroelectric power station in Saint-Lary.
Labels: Ville à Vélo du Tour de France / Village en poésie / Green Station / Qualité-confort-hébergement / Land of art and history / Commune of the Pyrenees National Park / Label Famille Plus Montagne
Websites / FB / Twitter / Insta : www.saintlary.com / www.facebook.com/saintlary / www.pyrenees-trip.com / www.facebook.com/hautespyrenees / www.instagram.com/hautespyrenees / www.laregion.fr / https://fr-fr.facebook.com/TourismeOccitanie/ / https://twitter.com/Occitanie / @Occitanie / https://fr-fr.facebook.com/LaRegionOccitaniePyreneesMediterranee/ / https://www.instagram.com/laregionoccitanie/?hl=fr
SAINT-LARY-SOULAN AND CYCLING
In 2021, Tadej Pogacar confirmed his domination over his rivals by overtaking Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz on the Col du Portet to claim his second stage win of the Tour, before repeating the feat the following day in Luz-Ardiden. In 2018, Nairo Quintana saved a somewhat disappointing Tour de France by winning on the Col du Portet at the end of a short 65km stage from Luchon on an F1 Grand Prix-style grid. Gone with Dan Martin, the Colombian won the second of his three stage victories in the Tour. In winter, the Pyrenean resort’s name is also celebrated thanks to its two local champions, Xavier and Paul-Henri de Le Rue, who have won world and Olympic medals in snowboarding. It is also the home of the Mir family, in particular Isabelle, silver medallist in the downhill at the Grenoble Winter Games in 1968, and her cousin Jean-Henri Mir, former mayor of the town (replaced by his cousin André in 2020), who won the Grand Slam with the French national rugby union team that same year. In summer, it is the Tour's climbers who regularly take possession of the site. Lucien Van Impe won here in 1976 (see Saint-Gaudens). The Belgian climber also consolidated his polka-dot jersey here in 1981. This was also the case for Mariano Martinez (1978) and more recently Rafal Majka (2014), on the heights of the village at Pla d'Adet. It was also in Saint-Lary that Daniel Mangeas made his debut as a Tour announcer in 1974.
SIGHTS
- Néouvielle Nature Reserve and the Pyrenees National Park
They are accessible from Saint-Lary via the Route des Lacs and also via the Col du Portet, which is one of the entrances to these large protected areas. You'll discover lakeside landscapes, unique flora and wildlife and a number of refuges, such as Lake Oule at the gateway to the National Park.
- Rioumajou Valley
Another exceptional and lesser-known site, this area of mountain pastures, listed a Natura 2000 site, is a veritable natural treasure trove that is only accessible in summer. Stroll along the streams to the recently renovated Hospice du Rioumajou, once the last stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela before crossing the passes to Spain. Activities on site: Pyrenean donkey rides, hiking, fishing...
- Sensoria
This wellness centre is located in the heart of Saint-Lary. It offers a spa area inspired by the Spanish canyons of the Sierra de Guara, where visitors can relax in waterfalls, a counter-current river and massaging jets. Sensoria also offers individual Nuxe treatments and a fitness centre for sports enthusiasts.
- Saint-Lary Soulan Heritage Centre
This brand-new facility offers a range of exhibitions on the history of the valleys and ways of life in the mountains in bygone days, as well as temporary exhibitions. It also has a Pyrenean documentary collection, a conference room and a free web lounge.
- Hachan Tower and National Park House
The Hachan tower is the only vestige of the former manor house of the noble Agut family. Today, this 16th-century tower houses the National Park House, which was refurbished in 2014. A rich, varied and entertaining museum space, ideal for families, where you can discover the plants and wildlife of the great natural areas near Saint-Lary. The new interior layout features specially adapted areas for exploring the Aure Valley forest and its natural habitats. Outside, a pathway leads visitors to a better understanding of the environment-friendly use of wood.
- Mountain Bike Park
It is one of the most renowned in the Pyrenees, accessible from the heart of Saint-Lary by cable car and then by a detachable chairlift serving a dozen runs. This area offers all levels of riders the chance to enjoy downhill runs in an exceptional setting: from fun family runs to vertiginous downhill runs for the most expert.
- Bear House
Maison de l'Ours (House of the Bear) invites you to discover the history of the most fascinating symbol of Pyrenean wildlife and heritage. An animated exhibition (audio spots) and a game to discover bear tracks are available for families. Start by learning how to recognise the footprints of different animals in the Pyrenees. Then it's on to the practical work of creating moulded footprints. Bingo the bear in his den is the highlight of the visit.
TO EAT:
- Spit-roasted cake
Gâteau à la broche (spit cake)is one of the symbols of the Pyrenees. Also known as Rocher des Pyrénées, this dessert is a cake traditionally served on special occasions in the farms of the Aure valley. Its unusual shape comes from the way it is made: a conical spit is turned by hand for many hours in front of a wood fire, while the batter is ladled out. It is this method of baking that forms the "peaks" as the cake grows and gives it its unique flavour.
