Hospice de France

The Pyrenees


Set high in the mountains some 12km southeast of Bagnères de Luchon, the Hospice de France has been welcoming travellers since the 17th century. Today, its comfortable but simply designed rooms make a great base for spectacular hikes and mountain-bike adventures in the region. The on-site restaurant serves traditional Pyrenean cuisine, while access to trails lies right outside the door.

There's also a tiny museum describing the history of the site. Rates slightly higher on weekends and during school holidays.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Pyrenees attractions

1. Musèu dera Val D’Aran

7.24 MILES

Occupying a turreted, sparklingly refurbished old mansion, this interactive museum tells the tale of the Val d'Aran's history, from the first Bronze Age…

2. Glèisa de Sant Miquèu

7.3 MILES

The black-roofed spire of Gothic Sant Miquèu church dominates Vielha's skyline. Its architectural styles span six centuries, including a 12th-century font…

3. Esglèsia de Santa Maria

11.09 MILES

This 12th- to 13th-century Romanesque church, with its three-storey belfry and triple apse, stands proudly in the midst of Arties' flower-festooned houses.

4. PyrenMuseu

12.57 MILES

The Refugi Rosta houses the entertaining private PyrenMuseu, which covers the history of tourism in Val d’Aran. Enter via the base of the old stone…

5. Església de Sant Andrèu

12.61 MILES

Within the remarkably colourful frescoed walls of this 12th- and 13th-century church, gaze upon the haunting Romanesque form of the Crist de Salardú. This…

6. Santa Eulàlia d'Erill la Vall

16.1 MILES

The slender six-storey, 12th-century tower of Santa Eulàlia d'Erill la Vall, a 2.5km walk or drive west of Boí, once used for communications and valley…

7. Centre del Romànic de la Vall de Boí

16.12 MILES

Kick-start your architectural odyssey around the Vall de Boí's exquisite Catalan Romanesque churches with a visit to this multimedia interpretation centre…

8. Sant Joan de Boí

16.47 MILES

Boí's 11th-century church gives the village an air of romance with its angular five-storey stone bell tower, which was restored after a major 13th-century…