Bagnères-de-Bigorre is ideally situated near ski resorts and the Pyrenees National Park. It is surrounded by mountains but easy to reach.

The casino dates from the Edwardian era		The wealth of Bagnères came from its marble. Its quarries provided the grey marble used in the Paris Opera House and the National Assembly before closing in 1987. Now, Bagnères produces high-tech railway equipment and has recently seen an upturn in slate quarrying… An elegant spa town with a mild climate, Bagnères attracts visitors to its fitness-oriented spas and the nearby ski resort of La Mongie.

Historical highlights

Antiquity: The hot springs were popular among Romans, who built a spa centre. Middle Ages: Bagnères was the leading town of the Bigorre region, with its own charter fostering trade. Modern times: 1823: construction of the current spa. Throughout the XIXth century, but particularly during the Edwardian era, famous and cultured visitors flocked to Bagnères, making it the most fashionable spa town.

Campan valley

"Courtaous" in the Campan valley	The Campan valley's lush countryside has earned it the nickname of "Pyrenean paradise". Visitors to the Pic du Midi coming over the Aspin pass can stop a while beside Payolle lake. Campan is the birthplace of Mariolle, a strapping grenadier in Napoleon's army known for his loud mouth!

	Practical tips