An evening on Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees not only made me feel like I was literally on top of the world but was a real highlight during my trip in the Hautes Pyrenees At 2877 metres, Pic du Midi France gives you 360-degree panoramic views over the Pyrenees and was the perfect place to watch the sunset during my evening.
About the Pic du Midi
It is so impressive that I could see Pic du Midi from most points that I visited during my trip in the French Pyrenees.
Pic du Midi was only opened to the public in 2000 and was classified as a National Nature site in 2003 because of the beauty of its surroundings. This amazing place is a wonderful learning centre, it houses an astronomical observatory and a star museum, which explains the history and the exploration of the universe.
An evening on the Pic du Midi
Tourists who come up to Pic du Midi don’t realise that the areas that are open to the public are only the tip of the iceberg. There is an Interministerial Building that is completely self-sufficient and buildings that are reserved for science, like the Gentili Dome and its 1m telescope financed by NASA.
The best bit is that you can go to Pic du Midi all year round, so you will never have to miss out.
The Ascent and Descent
The ascent and descent from Pic du Midi is an adventure in itself, especially because I am personally scared of cable cars. It is a 15min journey from La Mongie to the top which includes two cables cars and changes over half way.
The first cable car I can handle as it is only going upwards to the first point where you change. It is the second cable car that has the most impressive views but it also the hairiest ride for me, as you go from one peak to the next peak and you are suspended in midair.
You will start your evening catching the cable car ride from La Mongie after 5pm, with your other fellow visitors. Once everyone is at the top and the daily visitors have left, the cable cars are closed.
Around 11 – 11.30pm once you have had your dinner and the evening activities completed, the cable car is reopened to take you back down to La Mongie.
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Tip
- Make sure that you have your special evening ticket because you won’t get up with general admission.
- You are more than welcome to go up before the evening’s events start at 5pm.
On the Summit
Once you’ve arrived, there are plenty of things to do and see before watching the sunset and enjoying the dinner. From being taken back in time in the planetarium to braving the walk out onto the pontoon with a glass floor, there is something for everyone one.
Your hardest part is deciding what you are going to do first.
The best bit is you can learn not just about the centre but also about the Hautes Pyrenees and the solar system. There are various information boards at different points with landscape graphics to help you identify peaks across the Pyrenees.
There is even a telescope installed on the terrace that you can use to identify the mountains.
Sunset
My favourite time of the day is sunrise and sunset, there is just something about them that makes everything calm.
After exploring Pic du Midi in daylight and just before we are about to have dinner, was time to head back outside to watch the sunset. I was not disappointed and it was definitely a magical experience. It was like the sky was on fire and the colours were dancing in the sky across the mountain peaks.
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I was even lucky enough to be able to see through telescopes and binoculars that were designed to look directly at the sun.
The Pontoon in the Sky
If you have a head for heights and you want an adventure then check out the new Pontoon in the Sky, which opened this season. It is a 10m metal narrow walkway suspended at 2877m over nothing but thin air with a glass floor at the end to give you that extra thrill.
They say they are trying to achieve the desired effect of flying. However, I have to admit straight up that I was too scared to go out to the end of the Pontoon, it was windy and I definitely felt dizzy just standing at the entrance of the walkway.
Tip
- It is FREE and If you can handle it, you will be provided with some stunning views and some amazing photo opportunity.
- Focus on the horizon to brave vertigo.
A Museum
Take a walk around the highest museum in Europe and learn about the history of Pic du Midi and how it was constructed. You can see and learn about the people and scientists in the area through modules and photos.
Tip
- Don’t worry if you don’t read French, as a lot of the information is also in Spanish and English.
Dinner
After the sun has set and we had a wander around, it was time to take in the panoramic views of the Pyrenees from the restaurant, while we had our dinner. We enjoyed a bottle of wine (between 4 don’t worry) with a traditional 3 course meal prepared for everyone that was attending the evening by our chef.
Outside the evening program, the restaurant is open to anyone that is visiting Pic du Midi during the day. Unlike the evening set menu, the restaurant provides several choices on the menu. I understand that in summer when the weather is warmer you can sit outside on the terrace for a meal.
Tip
- Make sure that you let them know beforehand if you have any dietary requirements, as this is a set menu.
Overnight Stay
If you don’t want the evening experience to end or you just want to make your time on Pic du Midi a more unforgettable experience, then you can always spend the night up there in one of the 15 bedrooms that they have available to the public.
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All the rooms have spectacular views across the Pyrenees and were originally used by scientists who would go up there to study the stars. You can spend the night here all year round when the Pic du Midi is open.
Unfortunately, due to the forecasted weather conditions the following morning, we were unable to stay the night. As we were not going to be able to get off the mountain. But I can only imagine what it would be like waking up and feeling like you are in the sky.
Tip
- If you don’t want to be disappointed and miss out, book your overnight as soon as you can online.
How to get to Pic Du Midi
Airport
The closest international airport to Pic Du Midi and Grand Tourmalet Ski Resort is Lourdes/Tarbes International Airport (Which is where I flew into). The best way to get there is either via transfer or car hire as there are no direct trains, it all depends on your budget.
Another option is to fly into Toulouse International Airport which is two hours away. There are more regular international flights and other options of airlines available here.
Transfer
Due to the size of the Grand Tourmalet ski resort and where Pic Du Midi is located, there are not many options in regards to transfer companies. The best way to get there is to hire a car. It is roughly an hour’s drive from Lourdes, which will be a mix of highways and winding roads.
Tip
- There are no direct trains or buses, so your best option is to catch a train to Tarbes Train Station and then a bus from there to Bagnères and La Mongie.
Prices
- A return trip by cable car to the summit and entrance to the museum – Adult: € 38 Child (under 12): € 23
- Children under the age of 5 are FREE
- Family (2 Adults and 2 children) € 92
- All inclusive cost for an evening with dinner – Adult: € 99 Child (under 12) € 47
- A night on the Pic du Midi – Single Room from €339 per person Double Room from €399 per person
Video Highlights – From the top of the Pic du Midi
Top Tips
- The number of places for this evening is limited to 80 people, by reservation only.
- It can get really cold up there, so make sure you wear warm clothes.
- Beware that if you have a drink that the ratio is three times greater at Pic than at sea level. So if you have a glass of wine, it will be like you are having 3.
- Take sunglasses and sunblock especially if you are there during the day as the Pic enjoys 300 days of sunshine
- If you have a Grand Tourmalet ski pass, you can go up for free.
- Access to the summit is by cable car. From La Mongie the ascension takes 15 minutes.
- The tours and talks are mainly in French, so double check online or speak to them.
Thank you for reading this article ‘An Evening on Pic du Midi – French Pyrenees’, I hope it helped you to decide where to go for your next weekend Ski trip. Pic du Midi is definitely a paradise in the sky.
Have you been to Pic du Midi or the Pyrenees France before? I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
Feeling adventurous or looking for other ideas, here are some of the other amazing activities you can book in the French Pyrenees.
Disclaimer: Even though I was there as a guest of the Hautes Pyrenees and Grand Tourmalet, all views are my own and based on my own experience.
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Wow wow wow this looks incredible!!! I’ve never heard of this place, but now I absolutely must go! Thank you for sharing!!
This was such a beautiful place and I definitely was in awe. You can go here all year around
Those views of the mountains from the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees is amazing. I am not the biggest fan of the cold but I would love to stand on the pontoon outside seeing the views. Also, I am sure the sunset is amazing but I bet the night sky on a clear night would make me feel like I am sitting in space itself.
You can go here all year round and enjoy it in the summer 🙂 That way you don’t have to worry about the cold!!
I don’t like to be cold, so I’ve never considered visiting the Pyrenees, but now I’m thinking about it! I think my kids would love to ride the cable cars. And the sunrise/sunset view seems heavenly! What a great way to see the Pyrenees!
It is open all year round so you can definitely go up there in the summer and not worry about the cold. It was really pretty up there.
Looks like a spectacular place to visit! I’ve never visited the Pyrenees but would love to go. The food looks delicious! I bet spending a whole night there is magical.
I would of loved to have spent the night there and we would of if it was not for the weather. Maybe next time
Loving this, had no idea you could stay overnight, and that opportunity to enjoy those spectacular views for longer than the usual short visits to mountain tops. Just magical, and I love cable cars too!
I’m completely bowled over by this post! I too am a little nervous in the cable cars, but I’d suck it up to see the incredible sights of Pic du Midi! Those photos are stunning, and I think I’d even try that new attraction, if just for a few seconds of course! I really want to go here, will pin this for the future x
The views from up there was amazing and was pretty bowled over too
Wow is all I can say. This place looks incredible! I have to add it to my list. I love anything to do with space and astronomy, so this is a dream come true. I love the fact you can stay there too, what a magical experience that must be. I can only imagine what the stars look like from up there! Thank you so much for sharing this gem.
I was really impressed with the views from there, I never realised that it looked like that either. James Bond
The Pic du Midi looks incredible! I had no idea there were views like this in the Pyrenees. I would really like to try the Pontoon in the Sky even if it is scary. I can’t believe it’s free. And I read French, so I’d be able to handle the signs that hadn’t been translated.
Neither did I but I do now and I am so glad that I got to go as it was stunning for sure
You had me at the Star Museum. What a great idea to examine the universe from a space so close to it. I’ve only been to the Pyrenees once (and that to Andorra, mostly because the weather was too bad to turn round on the road…), and it wasn’t nearly as clear as it is in your pictures. The Pontoon would absolutely be a no for me, but I imagine it’s a fantastic experience.
I have been to Andorra to ski but that was a few years ago, however, I was super impressed with the French side as well.
It is a totally magnificent, icy view that is breathtaking. You are so lucky to spend your vacation here. The Star Museum adds the fabulousness of your experience.
Yes it was definitely beautiful there for sure. I would love to see what it looks like in summer
This looks incredible! I would definitely want to stay overnight. I don’t think a whole day would be enough to bask in those beautiful mountain range vistas!
A day up there is definitely enough as only a part of the area is open to the general public. It is an amazing place though and highly recommends it.
Dear lord those views!! We spent some time in France this winter, but we were in the middle of cities. I gotta tell you, I think I might’ve preferred the mountains 🙂
I spend a lot of time in France too, in fact I am flying there today. However, it was the first time that I had visited the Pyrenees and I just loved it. Definitely add it to your list.
Is this the setting of one of the James Bond movies?? It totally looks like it.
I wish that it was but no unfortunately.
I once took a spontaneous road trip here from Turin, where I live, and made the mistake of going when Italy was justtt about warming up after the coldest part of winter – long story short, ended up on top of a mountain ABSOLUTELY FREEZING, thought my nose might drop off. Love the look of the new pontoon though, that wasn’t there when I went!!
Don’t worry I was super cold but I have a heated jacket and I kept going back inside to warm up. Most of those pictures though are from inside the windows
The pictures are amazing and made me think about planning a trip to this place especialy during winter. Thanks for sharing. Great post.
You don’t have to go here just in winter, as it is open all year around. I would love to see the views in Summer
I’m definitely more of a beach gal myself but man oh man those views at the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees are INCREDIBLE! Especially the sunset reflecting on the snow, wow. If I ever find myself shivering in the Pyrenees I’ll definitely have to check this out myself.
You can come here in the summer if you didn’t like the winter. Definitely, recommend it if you ever get the chance
This looks amazing. The prices are much less than I realized and a chance to go up that tower and the ‘Pontoon’, stand at the end and open my arms Titanic style… Well, maybe not, but this is certainly an inspirational post of a place I’d never heard of before and is now on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing
I never thought about it being a titanic style but you are so correct 🙂
Wow, I can’t get over those views! Visiting the French Pyrenees is so high on my list. Did you feel like you were just on top of the world?!
It is a stunning place and I highly recommend going there if you ever get the chance.