The Right Echo A leisurely tour with Nelly

Updated on 21 August 2026

Nelly, holiday adviser

As a mountain lover who likes to take it easy and relax, I enjoy going for walks on my own to meditate or read a book whilst taking in the natural surroundings.
Here are a few ideas for easily accessible spots where you can enjoy the best of Luz.

Do we know each other?We can use ‘you’ informally

Sign

She-wolf

Mascot

Marmot

Ritual

Listen to the birds singing in the morning

Leisure

Reading, media

Gourmet delights

Blueberry tart

Secret

Reading at Solferino

Experience the mountains at your own pace

I’m passionate about nature and the great outdoors, and I live at the gentle pace of the mountains, where every day is an invitation to connect with nature and explore.

Here, I take the time to observe the landscapes, breathe in the fresh air and savour every moment without rushing. I let myself be guided by the trails, genuine encounters and simple pleasures, far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

Living in the mountains means reconnecting with oneself, listening to the silence, and appreciating the understated beauty of the things around us. It is from this harmony that I draw my energy and inspiration every day.

Here are four tips to help you explore the mountains with ease.

My 4 recommendations to sample the very best on a plate

1 | fresh air

If you enjoy discovering quiet spots off the beaten track, the Saugué Plateau is the perfect place to be truly blown away by the view of the Cirque de Gavarnie.

The view of this natural giant is breathtaking along the nature trail that winds its way past the barns on the heights of Gèdre. I must have picked this up from my family of farmers in the Gers, as I’m particularly interested in these reminders of a pastoral way of life that continues to thrive. I’m reminded of my childhood runs across the fields, and the walks that left me with the memory of the scent of hay warming beneath the roof beams of the stone shelters.

Saugué Plateau
26 mins from Luz

route here

2 | garbure

Want the very definition of the word ‘authenticity’? Push open the heavy wooden door of Christine’s Pyrenean house.

By recreating an old-fashioned barn, she brings the history of the Pays Toy back to life and peppers her descriptions of antique objects and tools – some of which have been donated by local residents – with colourful anecdotes. But the pleasure of hearing her laugh as she takes me back in time isn’t enough to make me forget it’s lunchtime.

The aroma of soup simmering in a large pot crosses my mind as I look at her crockery, meticulously lined up on the wooden table, and I simply cannot silence my stomach, which is now crying out for ‘garbure’! This thick, rustic soup, made from seasonal vegetables once grown on the land itself and enriched with local meat, was a ritual for families who gathered round the table to face the harsh mountain winters.

Centre de Luz
, 1 minute from the Tourist Office

3 | armour

Whether it’s the simple pleasure of looking down from the top of the hill or the need to take refuge in a strategic spot to get away from it all… I don’t know why I love spending hours on the rocky outcrop of Sainte-Marie Castle so much.

The blank pages of my notebook crinkle beneath my pen as I forget, for a few seconds, the medieval legends that make up this site’s history.

Only the breath of the wind, rushing through my hair and whirling the leaves capriciously, snaps me out of my reverie.

Château de Sainte-Marie
, 15 mins from the Tourist Office

route here

4 | whispers

Washing houses have stories to tell us…

Gossip, rumours and juicy whispers to sink your teeth into, as we reminisce about the good old days when there was no running water.

Although it’s good to switch off at altitude, I’m always up for a bit of fun when it comes to trying out a few activities on my smartphone. Personally, I find the walk much more enjoyable!

So, without further ado, walk from one wash house to the next, letting yourself be guided by the audio tour as you listen to the locals’ anecdotes about life in days gone by, when there was no running water.

Maison de la Vallée
10 mins from the Tourist Office