Élodie’s 5 remedies | Luz Tourisme

SUCCOMBS TO The Call of Winter

I’d like to tell you about a season that’s a bit magical and full of emotion.

Join me as we delve into some heart-warming stories; I’ll give you some tips on how to look after yourself and let yourself be swept away by the magic of the snow.

Let yourself be enveloped by the gentle charm of moments that seem to stand still, and trust me – I’ve found plenty of things to do instead of just sitting and watching the snowflakes fall outside the window.

Settle down with a hot drink by the fire – I’m ready to share my five-step recipe for a cosy winter!

My 5 remedies for a winter holiday invigorating and relaxing

1 | Enjoy the magic of the village under the snow

I’ve gone hiking many times with my dad in this valley, which I know well as I grew up in a small village near Lourdes, but I’d never been so enchanted by this winter landscape.

One February morning, I discovered the village shrouded in a thick blanket of white.

I wandered through the sleepy narrow streets, with the gentle sensation that the snow was muffling the crunch of our footsteps and dampening the few dormant sounds of nature. I let myself be guided to the Solférino Chapel, perched on its hill, immaculate in white.

Solférino Chapel
, 20 mins from the Tourist Office

route here

2 | Wrap yourself up bubbles of happiness at Luzea

Fancy taking a bit of time for yourself?

I’m not shy about saying that I love looking after myself and my health. When I see the frenetic pace we impose on our lives – which are certainly exciting but also exhausting – I find it essential to take breaks to allow my body and mind to relax.

Martine settles me into a small, secluded room where the pastel-coloured walls set off a stunning vaulted ceiling adorned with mosaics. The massage is an art form in itself. It begins with a foot massage that gradually works its way up to the legs. This is followed by special attention paid to my back and face, which truly lulls me into a comforting half-sleep. The tension in my body melts away as the music washes away my last worries, giving way to a total connection with my positive thoughts. This moment of pure relaxation is a bit like all good things – it must come to an end. Now I have two options: to slip on my bathrobe and settle down in front of the impressive glass roof overlooking a haven of greenery, or to slip into the whirlpool baths and let go under the hydromassage jets and swan-neck spouts

Luz Centre

1 min from the Tourist Office

Luzea

3 | Savour of a crime novel

With its delightful atmosphere, tasty treats and bookshops, Luz market square is the perfect place to stop for a moment.

It’s Monday, and the invigorating mountain air tempts me to venture into the market’s semi-pedestrianised streets.

I’m tempted to buy everything just for the sake of it, but I make the excuse that I want to take some honey and cheese back to my parents.

I go inside and quietly take a seat in one of the armchairs at the market café, near the bay window through which the sun’s rays stream into the beautiful, orange-hued room. Chris greets me with a very amusing ‘so British’ accent and, with great concentration, prepares my café au lait, standing behind a counter that bustles with the lively chatter of the market traders. I love it when time seems to slow down, allowing the older folk’s anecdotes to unfold in all their simplicity. I prick up my ears, letting myself be lulled by the latest village news, and, immersed in this warm atmosphere, my gaze falls on the end of the chapter where the novel is supposed to finally reveal, at the climax of the plot, the suspect’s identity…

Market Square, 5 mins from the tourist office

The market

4 | Stroll In front of an exhibition

An exhibition in an unusual venue.

There are days when I don’t feel like going home, or when I like to wander aimlessly, letting chance guide me along the way.

The sun guides my steps as I look away from the last rays of daylight to push open the door of the Maison du Parc national et de la Vallée. My keen curiosity is drawn to the vastness of the building and the vaulted ceilings that contrast with the exposed skylights. An exhibition on the landscapes of the Pyrenees draws me close to the displays, and I drink in with admiration the photographs that follow one another, each one unique. I’m quite taken with this place – for its soul, its tranquillity and its programme. I often find myself making a detour here to catch a cinema screening, a show or an arthouse film…

At this very moment, I realise just how fortunate I am to be able to combine nature and culture in one and the same place…

Audio tour here

5 | Tasting A spit-roasted cake

Who said having a sweet tooth was a bad habit?

If I’m criticised for joining Francis and his son to uncover the secrets of their famous spit-roasted cake baked over a wood fire, I’ll take the blame! Especially after a hike in the Cirque de Gavarnie, I can assure you that every second you’ll be thinking about the moment that awaits you in their cosy barn, cooking that funny, spiky cone with them. The slow and meticulous wood-fired baking gives me the chance to hear the story of a precious craft passed down through the generations, which brings back my fondest childhood memories of family times.