PTM 1 – LUCHON : FLÂNER, VISITER, DÉCOUVRIR… LE PATRIMOINE

Steps

Step 1

Château Lassus Nestier – Built in 1772 in the Louis XIV style, this is the oldest building on the Allées d'Etigny. It currently houses the Tourist Office.

Step 2

The Charles Tron House – Set back from Square Lauret, it was built by Edmond Chambert in 1854.

Step 3

The "Crémaillère Express" cable car – It connects Luchon (627m) to Superbagnères (1800m) in less than 10 minutes. The first cable car operated from 1993 to 2023. The current cable car was inaugurated during the winter of 2023-2024.

Step 4

Representative buildings – Nos. 41 to 45, Nos. 47 and 53 are representative of the 19th-century neoclassical style.

Step 5

The Spont Chalets – Built in 1854, upon the return of Mr Spont and Miss Soulérat from their honeymoon in Switzerland. They reflect the style of their honeymoon destination.

Step 6

The Thermal Park – Developed in 150, it is home to all of Luchon's thermal activities.

Step 7

The Chambert Thermal Baths – Built in 1848 on the ruins of the Roman Baths.

Step 8

The Imperial Pavilion – Created in 1954 by Artigala, today the first floor houses the SPA (800 m²), which combines beauty treatments, relaxing rituals and a thermal area with a natural sauna, hammam, jacuzzis, sensory showers and a heated bench. Everything you need for an unforgettable moment of relaxation.

Step 9

The Thermal Baths – Two therapeutic treatments are available: respiratory and rheumatology. Built in 1969, it offers treatments for spa guests as well as the "Ressources & Vous" thermal leisure area with pools, including one outdoors, a jacuzzi, saunas, a trépidarium, a snow room, a gym and weight training room… and, above all, the Grotte Vaporarium, a natural hammam that is unique in Europe.

Step 10

The statue of the Baron d'Erigny – From 1889 by Crauk. In homage to the man who laid out the Allées (1762) of the same name, which connect the village with the thermal baths.

Step 11

The funicular railway station – Built in 1894, the funicular railway provided access to the Chaumière restaurant. It operated until 1964.

Step 12

The Petit Lait refreshment bar – Built in 1874. Ladies would come here to drink milk to soothe stomach upsets caused by excessive consumption of thermal waters.

Step 13

The bust of Marcel Spont – Two laces above the refreshment bar, the bust from 1906, created by Jean-Marie Mengue, who was a prominent Pyrenean figure depicted with the attributes of a mountain dweller.

Step 14

The Caraouet Fountain – Mentioned in Edmond Rostand's poetry collection Le Musardises. The author spent many summers of his youth in Luchon. It is marked by a plaque bearing a few verses: "It sings like a spinning wheel, the fountain of Carouet."

Step 15

The Column – Built in 1855 to honour the cross-border road between France and Spain. 16: The Statue of the Valley of the Lily – In the small basin in front of the Jen-Marie Mengue lake (1900).

Step 16

The Statue of the Valley of the Lily – In the small basin in front of the Jen-Marie Mengue lake (1900).

Step 17

The gigantic Cedar of Lebanon – Planted in 1867 during the visit of Napoleon III's son and Eugénie.

Step 18

The Bronze Bear – A statue that has been used by children for sliding down for generations. (Guyot 1950).

Step 19

The Spa House – Dating from 1855, it was built on the site of the former emollient baths, which were used for beauty treatments for ladies. The building is topped by a glass roof characteristic of the Belle Epoque. Inside, you can visit exhibitions, including a presentation of the thermal water circuit, conferences, and more.

Step 20

The Bandstand – Characteristic of the late 19th century style.

Step 21

The Villa Pyrene – Built in 1900, located at 13 Allée des Bains, it is distinctive with its large glass roof.

Step 22

The Statue of Edmond Rostand – At the end of Allée des Bains (Mayliard – 1971)

Step 23

Villa Edouard – Built in a romantic style with two turrets, it was constructed by Edmond Chambert in 1864. Sacha Gitry and Yvonne Printemps stayed there.

Step 24

The Russian and Persian Chalets – Symbols of European aristocratic holidays during the Belle Epoque (1860).

Step 25

Villa Raphaël – At No. 12, Clémenceau stayed here in the 1900s, then it was occupied by Mata Hari. It was also used as Gestapo headquarters during the Second World War. Built in 1900.

Step 26

The Villa Bertin – Built by Edmond Chambert in 1850. The Imperial Prince stayed there.

Step 27

The Majestic – Going up Boulevard Edmond Rostand, the hotel was built in 1800. Previously, it was a military hospital for many years.

Step 28

The statue of François I and his sister Marguerite

Step 29

Villa Julia – at 10 Boulevard Edmond Rostand. Covered in ivy, built in 1880. Edmond Rostand stayed here. The balcony inspired Cyrano de Bergerac.

Step 30

The Casino Park – At the entrance, two small symmetrical pavilions connected by an ornate gate are the last vestiges of the fence that once surrounded the park.

Step 31

31: The Statue of the Kiss at the Spring – At the edge of the lake, near the grotto, is a work by Couteillas (1862) that was originally placed in the Elysée Gardens.

Step 32

The Pyrénées Palace – Built in 1913 on the same model as the Négresco in Nice, they also share the same architect, Edouard-Jean Niermans.

Step 33

The Norman Pavilion – Built for the Universal Exhibition in Paris (1900), it was then transported and rebuilt in Luchon.

Step 34

The Casino – Built in 1880 by architect Raymond Castex. It was transformed in 1923 in an Art Deco style by Henry Martin.

Step 35

The Boulodrome – Competitions are held here regularly.

Step 36

The Statue of Isis Unveiling Herself – by André Allar (1901).

Step 37

The Villa Luisa – On Boulevard Charles Tron, built in 1870. It was home to Prince Albert I of Monaco.

Step 38

The Villa de Flaubert – At the corner of Avenue Balaran and Rue Spont. The author stayed here in 1840 and 1872.

Step 39

The Post Office and Golf Club – On the corner of Avenue Boulara and Allées d'Etigny, this was a former post office in the mid-19th century.

Step 40

The Town Hall – Building bequeathed by Madame Colomic to the town of Luchon

Step 51

Castel d'Alti – at no. 21, dating from 1789

Step 52

The Pountet Fountain – Its name, "Pountet", means "little bridge" in Occitan. The fountain is located where a small stream once flowed down from the mountains, and a small bridge allowed people to cross it. The fountain was built in the 19th century.

Step 53

Statue of Jean-Marie Mengue – Located on the square of the same name, this statue was created by Gaston Petit (1954). Behind it is the house of Jean-Marie Mengue.

Step 54

Church of Our Lady of the Assumption – Opposite Place Joffre, the church was built by Loupot between 1847 and 1857 on the site of the former Mozzarade collegiate church, of which only the north porch remains.

Step 55

War Memorial – Bronze and marble by Jean-Marie Mengue (1921). It also symbolises the equal distance between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Step 56

Place Gabriel Rouy: Town Hall – The old Town Hall was built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in 1935 after being destroyed by fire.

Step 57

Place Gabriel Rouy: Les Halles – Built in 1896, inspired by Baltard and the Musée d'Orsay, they were renovated in 2000 and are open every morning. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there is an open-air market where you can find local producers.

Step 58

The Courtat district – This is the oldest district in Luchon (late 11th and early 12th century). Courtat means "small courtyard" in Occitan.