Set on the banks of the River Bastan, Luz-Saint-Sauveur is a centuries-old town in the Occitania region of south-west France. It’s flanked by the Pierrefitte Gorge and the French Pyrenees, making it feel somewhat isolated from the nearby pilgrimage town of Lourdes. Luz-Saint-Sauveur is renowned for its heritage-listed architecture and extensive ski slopes.
Things to do in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
In the centre of town is the Eglise des Templiers, a 13th-century church dedicated to St. Andrew. It’s surrounded by a stone wall built to protect against attacks from Spanish bandits, with a large ditch and drawbridge once strengthening the fortifications. Marvel at the original paintings within the chapel and wander between the centuries-old gravestones in the adjacent cemetery.
Watching over Luz-Saint-Sauveur is the ruined Château Sainte-Marie, which was originally built in the 10th century by the Counts of Bigorre. It was later occupied by the Hospitallers of St John before being taken by the English in 1360. Now designated as a Monument Historique, the ruins can be accessed along an easy walking trail and offer commanding views across the town.
Spanning the Gave de Gavarnie to the south of Luz-Saint-Sauveur is the magnificent Pont Napoleon, a single-arched stone bridge completed in 1861. In commemoration of the emperor’s links to the area, a 12-metre-high column topped by a marble eagle was constructed at the bridge’s eastern end. Today, it is a popular bungee-jumping spot.
Getting around Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Luz-Saint-Sauveur is around a one-hour drive from Tarbes and 40 minutes from Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrenees Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.