The Grand Site Occitanie Pyrenees Aure-Louron in the Hautes-Pyrenees department of southwestern France has highlighted its living mountain environment, uniting the Aure and Louron valleys near the border with Spain.
The protected area in the central Pyrenees connects high-altitude glacial lakes, historic cross-border trade passages, and traditional pastoral culture across two emblematic valleys.
Historic gateway of Arreau
The town of Arreau serves as the natural entry point to this mountain territory. Situated at the confluence where the Aure and Louron rivers meet, the historic town features ancient stone houses, religious buildings, and narrow lanes that record its past as a commercial center.
For centuries, the surrounding valleys formed primary transit corridors between France and the region of Aragon in Spain. These mountain routes enabled economic, cultural, and human exchanges across the Pyrenean frontier, establishing close ties between communities on both sides of the border.
The Grand Site designation, managed under the regional tourism framework of Occitanie, aims to preserve these mountain environments while supporting local heritage and sustainable tourism across the Hautes-Pyrenees.
Neouvielle national nature reserve
The Neouvielle National Nature Reserve forms one of the primary ecological sanctuaries within the Grand Site. Created in 1936, the reserve is among the oldest protected natural areas in France, preserving nearly 2,000 hectares of high-altitude mountain landscape.
The Neouvielle massif is recognized for its glacial lakes, subalpine forests, and alpine biodiversity. Around 70 lakes are scattered across the rocky terrain. Lake Oredon, Lake Aubert, and Lake Aumar represent major destinations for hikers and nature photographers, with waters that shift from deep blue to emerald green depending on the season to reflect the surrounding peaks.
The reserve contains hook pine forests, known scientifically as Pinus uncinata, which grow at some of the highest tree-line elevations in Europe. The protected habitat provides shelter for native Pyrenean wildlife, including the isard goat-antelope, marmots, bearded vultures, and rare high-mountain plant species.
Rioumajou cross-border valley
Located a few kilometres from the mountain commune of Saint-Lary-Soulan, the Rioumajou valley presents a wild pastoral setting that illustrates the historical importance of Pyrenean border passes. For generations, shepherds, merchants, travellers, and smugglers navigated these high-altitude paths to cross between France and Spain.
The Hospice du Rioumajou stands in the valley as a preserved symbol of cross-border history, offering meals and lodging to visitors. Before the opening of the Aragnouet-Bielsa road tunnel, which linked the Aure Valley directly to Aragon, the Rioumajou passage operated as an essential transit route for livestock herds and trade goods.
Pastoral farming remains active throughout the Rioumajou valley, where herders continue the practice of seasonal transhumance to move livestock to high alpine pastures known as estives. Scattered stone farm structures, known locally as granges foraines, recall the traditional agricultural economy based on seasonal grazing and livestock breeding.
Louron valley and outdoor tourism
The Louron valley offers an open landscape defined by gentle terrain and river waters. The valley is lined with historic mountain villages, including Loudenvielle, Mont, and Genos, which preserve traditional Pyrenean architecture.
The region has established itself as a major destination for outdoor activities in both summer and winter. The Peyragudes ski resort connects directly to the valley floor at Loudenvielle via the Skyvall cable car, while the valley terrain includes multiple marked routes for mountain biking.
Lake Genos-Loudenvielle and thermal spa
Lake Genos-Loudenvielle lies at the heart of the Louron valley. Surrounded by mountain peaks, the large body of water features landscaped banks for walking and accommodates water sports including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing.
Adjacent to the lake, the village of Loudenvielle operates as a modern tourist destination while retaining its local character. The village houses the Balnea thermal spa center, which utilizes natural mineral waters for therapeutic baths, alongside recreation facilities and access to surrounding hiking trails.
The combined areas of the Grand Site Occitanie Pyrenees Aure-Louron present a protected mountain environment where natural landscapes, pastoral customs, and historic border routes continue to function alongside contemporary tourism.
