The Laquets Hotel
A new Chapter at the Pic du Midi
Begun in June 2024 and suspended during the winter of 2024-2025, renovation work on the Hôtellerie des Laquets has resumed with the arrival of warmer weather. The creation of a connection between the Pic du Midi and the Hôtellerie des Laquets will allow work to continue throughout the winter, with an opening scheduled for September 2026. The goal: to offer a hotel with a unique experience in Europe—the highest in France! This presents an opportunity for the region to attract a clientele seeking new experiences while ensuring the sustainable development of tourism and activities at the summit.
Hôtellerie des Laquets : Scheduled to open in autumn 2026
A project rooted in the history and future of the Pic du Midi
Situated just below the summit, the Hôtellerie des Laquets has played a significant role in the history of mountaineering in the Pyrenees and the observatory since it was built in the 1930s. Once a refuge for scientists, hikers and mountain enthusiasts, it is set to be reborn by 2026 thanks to an ambitious renovation and extension project.
Linked to the Pic du Midi by a state-of-the-art cable car, it will become France’s highest hotel, situated in the heart of an exceptional natural site and forming part of the Pic du Midi’s UNESCO World Heritage nomination.
Bookings for autumn 2026 will open.
The history of the Hôtellerie des Laquets :
1852 : opening of the Hôtellerie de Sencours, the first stop on the way to the Pic.
1914 : arrival of the Lourdes-Bagnères-Artigues tramway.
1930-1933 : construction of the Hôtellerie des Laquets, run by the Compagnie des Hôtels de Montagne.
1962 : first cable car linking Les Laquets to the Pic (dismantled in 1980).
Jusqu’en 1996 : hosting scientists, mountaineers, writers and journalists.
2019 : launch of feasibility studies for the renovation.
2022 : approval of the redevelopment project and the cable car link.
2024 : building permit granted.
2026 : reopening to the public.
The project’s key features
High-quality accommodation: 16 double rooms (including one accessible for people with reduced mobility), a gourmet restaurant, a cosy bar, relaxation areas and panoramic terraces.
Environmentally friendly architecture: renovation and extension using natural materials and local expertise.
Improved accessibility: a small Poma cable car will link the hotel to the summit, with no pylons or stations.
Complementary offerings: increased capacity, unique experiences and extended stays at the Pic du Midi.
Project objectives
To promote the site’s heritage and authenticity.
To develop the range of tourist and accommodation experiences available from the Pic du Midi in order to encourage visitors to stay longer.
To meet growing demand: currently, the Pic has a room occupancy rate of 96%.
A real challenge at high altitude
Renovating a mountain building at an altitude of 2,620 metres, exposed to winds of up to 200 km/h, is an extraordinary challenge. Closed for 30 years, the Hôtellerie is being brought back to life thanks to the joint efforts of the architectural firm 360° and local contractors:
Gallego (structural work)
Charpentes Toiture Bigourdan (CTB) & MAB (joinery)
Duplaa (plumbing & ventilation)
Fauché (electrical)
DIMAC avec Pimant (kitchen)
Socabat & Mécamont (cable car with POMA)
The project was awarded the Bâtiment Durable Occitanie (BDO) silver medal.
Cost of works: €11 million. Funding provided by the Syndicat Mixte de Valorisation Touristique du Pic du Midi, the French government, the European Union (ERDF), the Occitanie Region, the Hautes-Pyrénées Department and a loan from Crédit Agricole.
A unique hospitality experience
1930-1933: construction of the Hôtellerie des Laquets, a testament to the golden age of Pyrenean mountaineering.
2026: a rebirth featuring an architectural approach that respects the existing structure (historic vaulted ceiling made of local stone) and a contemporary extension in wood and stainless steel.
Inside, two distinct atmospheres:
Historic wing: Pyrenean-inspired furnishings and references, rustic-chic style.
Modern extension: sleek, Nordic-inspired design.
Every evening, 32 guests can enjoy:
a cosy lounge with a fireplace,
rooms with views and en-suite bathrooms,
a gastronomic experience curated by Renaud Lamazère (chef at 2 877) and Stéphane Tournié (1 Michelin star, Les Jardins de l’Opéra in Toulouse)**.
During the day :
Facilities for hikers, including public toilets and a café/snack area in summer.
Organisation of seminars in winter.
In addition to providing accommodation, the new cable car will also offer an emergency evacuation route from the summit.
Timetable and opening
Construction work: June–September 2024, resuming in June 2025.
Scheduled opening: September 2026.
Bookings: bookings open in June 2026.
Indicative prices
One-night stay for two people in a double room, including:
Cable car ascent,
Visit to the panoramic terraces at the Pic du Midi,
Cable car descent to Les Laquets,
Gourmet dinner,
Overnight stay in a cosy room,
High-quality breakfast.
