Saint - Lary - Soulan, Aragnouet

St Lary is a large, traditional Pyrenéan resort at 830m linked by road or cable car to altitude stations (and base of ski runs) at La Cabane (1600m), larger Pla d'Adet (1700m) and Espiaule (1900m), making it one of the most important ski centre in the French Pyrenées. The village, located in the heart of the Pyrenees and the Aure valley, and opening out towards the sloping hillsides of Gascony, existed for thousands of years before the arrival of snow sports. It is located on a route used for thousands of years by merchants and pilgrims and referred to in Roman reports. Today it has a relaxed way of life with well preserved architecture. On the slopes however, facilities are more up to date, with new lifts and snowmaking added recently. Before skiing came along the resort was famous for its healing waters, which contain sulphur and sodium. These thermal springs have been renowned since Antiquity and are still accessible today. The Saint-Lary Thermal baths located in a park at the centre of the village offer state-of-the-art facilities and a new canyon themed spa opened more recently.