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Argelès-Gazost is a town of 3,200 inhabitants standing at the crossroads of the Lavedan valleys. Its old districts rise in terraces above the stream. Like other Pyrenean spa towns, Argelès-Gazost was most popular in the late XIXth century, hosting rich spa visitors. You can still see some of the large, beautiful houses, the casino and an English-style park of 20 hectares. Today, the spa specializes in vein and lung illnesses. |
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The Lavedan stretches from the Lourdes area through to the Spanish border, and covers all the upper valley of the Pau and its tributaries.
Victor Hugo thought the seven Lavedan valleys look like an open hand… The Lavedan valleys offer many spa towns and ski resorts. They also lead to the Gavarnie and Troumouse cirques and the town of Cauterets. |
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Typical Lavedan landscape |
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Of these seven valleys, three are well-known and very popular: the wild, luminous Val d'Azun is home to many windmills; the gentle Saint-Savin valley is famous for its Benedictine abbey. Finally, the steep-sided Barèges valley leads up to the Tourmalet pass. |
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Places to see
