THE PIC DU MIDI DE BIGORRE

The Pic du Midi, a gem of the Pyrenees!

Welcome to the Pic du Midi, a must-see destination! As the highest planetarium in Europe, it boasts an observatory, museum, restaurant, and even a hotel. The planetarium and fully interactive space of experiences will take you on a journey through the history of the Pic’s construction in 1882, unveiling a fantastic story of the Pyrenees’ conquest of the stars.

Throughout the year, scientists, astronomers, and meteorologists study the sky from this location. In fact, the Pic du Midi is the oldest high-altitude astronomical observatory in the world. In 1969, it helped NASA successfully map the moon.

The International Dark Sky Reserve

More than 240 municipalities, representing 65% of the Hautes-Pyrénées and covering an area of 3,300 km², have committed to creating an International Dark Sky Reserve (RICE) to preserve the beauty of the night sky and facilitate stargazing. To learn more about this initiative, please visit the website valleesdegavarnie.com.

Reaching the Summit of Pic du Midi

If you’re planning to reach the summit of Pic du Midi, you can take the cable car from the La Mongie ski resort. It’s already an event in itself to climb 1,000 meters in just 15 minutes, which promises an extraordinary journey to the panoramic terraces.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always go hiking to reach the summit, but be warned, it’s quite a challenge!

💡 Friendly tip: If you’re planning to visit during peak periods, make sure to book your tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. Trust us, it’s worth it!

Practical information: Access to the summit by cable car from Mongie. For more information, visit www.picdumidi.com!

Sports at Pic du Midi: Summer and Winter

In summer: Uncommon mountain biking and hiking

For those extreme cycling enthusiasts out there, you can indulge in your favorite sport freely and enjoy an exceptional descent in an equally exceptional mountain setting. On the program: more than 1,800 meters of vertical drop to tackle!

If hiking is more your style, plan for about a 4-hour round trip and an 800m climb from the Tourmalet pass. You’ll be able to see Lake Oncet and the ruins of old buildings. To access the site, you must buy a ticket that costs around €23 for adults and €14 for children under 12. Don’t forget to bring your credit card to pay for the ticket. This ticket allows you to visit the site, but does not include the return by cable car.

Enjoy a Unique Freeride Area in the Pyrenees this Winter!

For all you thrill-seekers out there, you definitely don’t want to miss the freeride descent from the summit of the Pic du Midi this winter. After taking a beautiful cable car ride, you’ll be able to admire an incredible view of the Pyrenees mountain range at 2877m before embarking on a memorable ski descent. This legendary off-piste area is a must-visit and a unique freeride destination in the Pyrenees!

Skiers have three amazing options to choose from:

• You can descend towards Barèges via the Oncet lake to the Tourmalet chairlift.
• Alternatively, you can descend towards La Mongie to Artigues-Campan, where the “La Coume du Pic” itinerary is located with a vertical drop of 1700 meters for a 10 km descent. The return to the foot of the slopes is done by a free shuttle.
• If you’re a less experienced skier, you can start from the intermediate station of Taoulet at 2341 meters and choose between “La Jaune”, “La Verte” or “La Violette”.

But remember, this freeride area is reserved for advanced skiers, so it’s highly recommended to hire a guide or instructor to enjoy it safely.