Cauterets, Midi-Pyrénées, République française

Cauterets is a spa town, a ski resort and a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.

Geography

Cauterets is located 32 km (20 mi) southwest of Lourdes in the beautiful valley of the Gave de Cauterets and borders thePyrenees National Park.

Cauterets is a centre for excursions, the Péguère (2,316 m), the Monné (2,723 m), the Cabaliros (2,333 m), the Pic de Chabarrou(2,910 m), the Vignemale (3,298 m), and other summits being in its neighborhood. Lake Gaube is approximately 1hr and 30 minutes walk from Cauterets or can be accessed by a chairlift from the Pont d’Espagne. The Cirque de Lys is also accessible by cable car from where there are panoramic views over the Pyrenees. Cauterets is also a regular stopover for walkers travelling on the coast to coast Pyrenean GR10 walking route.

Springs

Cauterets is well known for its copious thermal springs. They are chiefly characterized by the presence of sulphur and silicate of soda, and are used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, rheumatism, skin diseases and many other maladies. The main thermal baths, Thermes Cesar, were opened in 1843 and continue to offer treatments today.

Skiing

Cauterets provides both cross country skiing and downhill skiing. There are 36 km of cross country tracks at Pont d’Espagne and 25 downhill pistes at Cirque du Lys between 1700m and 2500m altitude which are mainly suited for beginners and intermediates. A new cable car was built in 2005 which can transport 2000 skiers per hour to the Cirque du Lys area.