The spa resort of Cauterets, which is renowned for its beneficial water, is surrounded by high mountains and retains many typical examples of 19th-century architecture. As you stroll around town, you come across beautiful belle-époque buildings like the Grand Hôtel d'Angleterre and the Grand Hôtel Continental.
Specialising in treating respiratory and rheumatic conditions, Cauterets thermal baths also offer fitness breaks and beauty treatments.
For culture fans, the Musée 1900, housed in the sumptuous surroundings of the former Grand Hôtel d'Angleterre, contains collections of folk art and traditions as well as a permanent exhibition on skiing and mountaineering from 1850 to today.
Meanwhile, nature lovers can take advantage of the spa town's exceptional mountain location close to outstanding natural sites such as the Bridge of Spain (Pont d'Espagne) and Gaube lake. The Pyrenees National Park visitor centre (La Maison du Parc National des Pyrénées) in Cauterets regularly organises mountain-related screenings and exhibitions.
A speciality of Cauterets is the berlingot – the famous colourful boiled sweet that spa patients used to eat to mask the taste of sulphur in the water – is still hand-made in the traditional way and continues to be a favourite with children and adults alike! Several factories in the spa town offer tastings and demonstrations of the 19th-century production process.
Ski resort and spa resort, the commune of Cauterets takes place in Occitanie, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department. This village of just over 1,000 inhabitants is surrounded by the Pyrenees, on the border with Spain, not far from the town of Argelès. It is located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park.
Populated since the Neolithic, the territory of Cauterets developed during the Gallo-Roman era with in particular the exploitation of the first thermal baths. But it was in the Middle Ages that this activity took off, with the presence of three baths fed by natural hot springs. The golden age of this hydrotherapy was reached during the 19th century with the construction of various luxury hotels and the presence of celebrities such as Victor Hugo, Georges Sand or the Bonaparte family. The winter sports resort developed in the 20th century, turning the village of Cauterets into an era of leisure and tourism.
Today, it is still possible to admire an appreciable architectural heritage and to benefit from the sports infrastructures of Cauterets. Food lovers will also find what they are looking for in one of the town's berlingot factories.
The town of Cauterets has retained an authentic charm that still seduces visitors from all over France and Spain today. As you stroll through the alleys, you will be able to admire the Notre-Dame church, built in the 19th century, and unveiling a very beautiful work by the painter Pierre Baldi, The Way of the Cross.
Historic center of the village, the whole of rue Richelieu and rue de la Raillère allows you to discover hotels and other old and emblematic residences. You will also like the original architecture of the old railway station of Cauterets. Listed as an historic monument, it dates from the beginning of the 20th century, presenting a style reminiscent of traditional chalets and a western atmosphere. Today, this all-wood building still serves as a bus station and hosts various cultural events.
Several 19th century buildings can be admired, recalling the golden age of the village. Of particular note is the style of the Hotel d'Angleterre, the Casino Club and the Hotel Continental. The latter, which has become the Continental residence, has seen its facade listed as a Historic Monument. In the old Hotel d'Angleterre, a 1900 museum unveils the splendours of Art Deco from this period, including collections of art and popular traditions, and a permanent exhibition on skiing and mountaineering from 1850 to These days.
Lovers of outdoor activities and natural spaces will be seduced by the surroundings of Cauterets. It is thus possible to hike, climb or ski in the Pyrenees National Park, near Lake Gaube, or the waterfalls of the Gave de Jéret and the Gave de Lutour.
Cauterets, it is also a family winter sports resort and very well equipped. Designed for cross-country and downhill skiing, it is part of the Pont d'Espagne and Cirque du Lys area. Tobogganing and snowshoeing can also be practiced on site. The resort is also open in summer, allowing mountain hiking, mountain biking and any other outdoor activity. Note that the old cable car station is the work of the teams of the famous engineer, Gustave Eiffel.
Spa town, Cauterets continues to develop this activity recognized for treating ENT and rheumatology problems. Eleven sources are used in two establishments, the Thermes de César in Cauterets, and the Thermes des Griffons in La Raillère. The first, renovated at the end of the 1990s, date from the mid-19th century.
Via ferrata Les Alias, with breathtaking views of the city and the valley.
The fairground market as well as that of the producers take place every Friday morning (from May to the end of October) place du Pont Neuf and parking lot of the National Park.
Regularly, Cauterets hosts stages of the Tour de France and the Cycling Tour of Spain.
Organization of mountain races with the athletic association of Vignemale.
Every year in March, the Printemps des poètes takes over the Cauterets media library with readings and exhibitions.
In May, the "month of the Voice", various activities in partnership with the Thermal Baths of Cauterets and the entertainment department.
N'Py Cup, in March, is the opportunity to learn about board sports with demonstration workshops, festive activities and equipment tests.
In September, the Pyrenean nature image festival highlights the most beautiful photographs and other works of art around nature.
