le Pays des Nestes
Situated in the east of the Hautes Pyrénées, the Lannemezan plateau and the Spanish border, the Pays des Nestes groups the Aure and the Louron valleys, the Nistos territory and the Barrousse and Barronies areas.
Water is ever present throughout the region whether the torrents of the Nestes, the middle or high level lakes, or underground, witnessed by the many grottes and chasms that can be visited, the water has equally contributed to the human activity through thermal springs, fishing, watersports and more recently thermal baths and treatments, of which the BALNEA centre is a pioneer in the French Pyrenees.
The Pays des Nestes is also a winter sports centre, with 4 downhill ski stations, Peyragudes et Val Louron, certainly but also St Lary and Piau Engaly, in the neighbouring Aure valley as well as a cross country station at Nistos.
The station at Superbagnères de Luchon, although not part of the “Pays des Nestes” is equally close to the Louron valley.
A traditionally rural area, the “Pays des Nestes” includes a number of historical
monuments and relics. Certainly its churches, but also the Chateau de Mauvezin and L’Abbaye de L’Escaladieu both situated in the Baronnies, without forgetting the town of Arreau, at the crossroads of the Aure and Louron valleys.
A little further in the Haute Garonne is the roman town of Saint Bertrand de Comminges, which with its Paléo-Christian basilique, and its cathedral is worth a visit.
For sporting relaxation, the “Pays des Nestes” offers complementary facilities to those of the Louron Valley with a 18 hole golf course and sports centre at Lannemezan, a water sports centre at Bazus near to St Lary, and a wide variety of
trekking, by foot, pony or VTT .l
With respect to nature, it’s necessary to underline the closeness to the magnificent Nature reserve of Néouvielle, with its enchanting lakes and also to the Pyreneen National Park on the Spanish frontier.In the Piemont, the wooded valley of Barrousse and that of Nistos also merit a visit
Finally, as a meeting point between human activity and ancient and modern culture The Maison du Pastoralisme d'Azet, at Azet, a few kilometres from the base of the Louron
valley towards the Col d’Azet offers a museum of country crafts of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
usefull links
Download the map of the Pays des Nestes
