logo
ic_menu

Bagnères-de-Luchon

4 Place Maréchal Joffre, Bagnères-de-Luchon, Occitanie

Description

Bagnères-de-Luchon (often shortened as "Luchon") is a spa town at the foot of the Pyrenees and the ski resort of Superbagnères (cabins leave from the edge of town). It developed around thermal baths as far back as the 1st century BC but really became fashionable in the mid-19th century with the train reaching there in 1873 and a casino opening in 1880. Architectural highlights include the château Lafont-Lassalle (houses the Musée du Pays de Luchon - closed at the time of this review), the casino complex (no games, only shows nowadays), some 19th century villas and the church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption.

Access & Transport

The village is 40km south of Montréjeau (exit 17 on the A64 expressway), 100km southeast of Tarbes and Lourdes, and 140km southwest of Toulouse. The closest train station is in Montréjeau, on the Toulouse-Tarbes line.

Instructions & Recommendations

This is a natural base for skiing the Superbagnères domain in the winter and, in the summer, for cycling and hikes towards the Venasque lake or pass and the scenic Lac d’Oô.

Meta review

Not many online reviews relating to the town, the stars are the surrounding mountains and the activities they offer, summer or winter. The original Thermal Baths buildings is worth a look but nothing is happening inside (the treatments happen in a modern building next to it) - plenty of potential in theory though, the church looks quite modern and its interior attracts positive comments, and the Parc du Casino is described as a "pretty wooded park".

Environmental & Social

We deem a visit of the town to be environmentally neutral. Tourism brings in some economic activity that is much needed outside of the winter/ski season.

Conclusion

The town has lost a lot of its allure as a destination over the last decades but not as a base for activities. This means there is actually not that much to see in the town itself but worth a quick look on the way to somewhere/something else.

Key positive

Some attractive 19th-century villas & buildings

Great setting at the foot of the Pyrenees

Key negative

Lack of sights in town

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

February 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 50m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. For a complete overview of all cookies used, please see MORE INFORMATION.