La Mongie, the village at the foot of the Col du Tourmalet
Welcome to La Mongie
A mountain resort for every season 🍃❄️
In the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées
Set at 1,800 metres above sea level, La Mongie sits right at the foot of the Col du Tourmalet.
It is part of the vast Grand Tourmalet ski area, which also includes Barèges on the other side of the mountain.
A true mountain destination, La Mongie attracts skiers in winter and offers plenty to explore in summer, when the surrounding mountains become a playground for outdoor adventures.
This mountain village in Occitanie has everything you need for a great escape in the Pyrenees.
Fancy taking things a little slower and meeting the famous Tourmalet llamas?
Why choose La Mongie? ☀️
The perfect destination for summer and winter
The only village resort where you can step straight out onto the slopes — or hiking trails — with the Pic du Midi de Bigorre right in front of you.
If there is one thing to remember, it's this: in La Mongie, your mountain adventure starts right outside your door. Step into your skis straight from your accommodation and leave the car parked for your entire stay.
Three things really set La Mongie apart:
- The benefits of high altitude. At 1,800 metres, the air is crisp and fresh, with great snow conditions in winter and a welcome escape from the summer heat.
- The Pic du Midi just a cable car ride away. No other village in the Pyrenees takes you up to 2,877 metres so quickly — with a planetarium and a spectacular suspended footbridge waiting at the top.
- A village with everything you need. Local shops, producers selling regional specialities such as mountain cheeses and Noir de Bigorre pork, plus welcoming restaurants where you can take your time and enjoy the good things in life.
The result? Whether you're travelling with family, as a couple or with friends, La Mongie brings together adventure, comfort and a true mountain escape — without spending your holiday behind the wheel.
💡 Our tip: choose accommodation facing south, overlooking the snow front. You'll get stunning views across the ski area and enjoy sunshine on your terrace from breakfast onwards — a small detail that makes all the difference, whatever the season.
In La Mongie, winter starts right outside your door: clip into your skis and head straight onto the largest ski area in the Pyrenees, with the Pic du Midi towering above.
A ski-in, ski-out paradise ❄️⛷️
Skiing and so much more
In winter, La Mongie village transforms into a true ski-in, ski-out paradise.
Nestled beneath the iconic Pic du Midi de Bigorre, this lively base offers direct access to the Grand Tourmalet ski area, the largest in the French Pyrenees, as well as a host of non-ski activities, including snowshoeing and dog sledding.
From your accommodation, simply step outside, clip into your skis and head straight down the slopes!
Winter at its best 🎿
Skiing, snow and breathtaking views at Grand Tourmalet
As the first snowfalls herald the arrival of winter, the mountains transform into a spectacular playground, with great skiing conditions from January through to April.
La Mongie is the ultimate ski-in, ski-out destination: with accommodation right at the foot of the slopes, you can clip into your skis and set off without ever needing the car. This vast N'PY ski area is perfect for families, with dedicated children's areas and green slopes, while thrill-seekers can take on black runs and couloirs beneath the Pic du Midi.
Enjoy an authentic Pyrenean atmosphere, with a warm welcome throughout the resort. After a day on the slopes, soak up the après-ski atmosphere and village nightlife, with excellent local restaurants serving hearty garbure soup and delicious Pyrenean raclette.
From La Mongie, the entire ski area offers 54 marked slopes, 25 lifts and 6 mountain restaurants, reaching an altitude of 2,500 metres.
🤩 Our team's favourite: making the first tracks of the day! This unique experience gives you the chance to follow the Grand Tourmalet piste patrol and be the first to ski down the slopes (advance booking required).
Beyond alpine skiing
Fancy trying something different?
No problem! Take a break from alpine skiing and try something new:
- Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing to the legendary Lac de Payolle, in the Campan Valley, known as "Little Canada",
- A dog-sledding adventure for an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors,
- Try fatbiking or a 4-seater buggy,
- Race down the slopes on a sled or yooner (paret),
- Take the magical journey to the summit of the Pic du Midi and enjoy breathtaking views stretching across the entire Pyrenees and beyond.
Your equipment hire this winter
How about staying right at the foot of the slopes?
FAQs
Stay in La Mongie and make the most of the mountains
Absolutely! The two sectors are linked by ski slopes, so you can ski from one side to the other via the Col du Tourmalet.
With a single Grand Tourmalet ski pass, you can access the entire ski area.
To save time, especially when travelling with children, and avoid queuing at the ticket office, we strongly recommend booking your ski pass and ski equipment hire in La Mongie before your stay.
Yes, they are. Under the Loi Montagne regulations in Hautes-Pyrénées, between 1 November and 31 March, your vehicle must either be fitted with four certified winter tyres or carry snow chains or textile snow socks in the boot.
Before setting off, always check the weather forecast, the snow report and the La Mongie webcams so you can plan your journey and arrive at the resort safely.
Find out more:
- Everything you need to know about the Loi Montagne and your vehicle
- Snow chains, snow socks and all-season tyres compared
- How to check road conditions in winter
The resort has several large, free outdoor car parks at the entrance to the village and higher up in La Mongie.
Once you've parked, you can leave the car where it is for the rest of your stay: a network of free shuttle buses runs continuously, taking you and your equipment straight to your accommodation or residence.
There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained after a day on the slopes! La Mongie has a large, safe, floodlit sledging area on the snow front, perfect for some memorable runs.
You can also book a dog-sledding experience, head out on a snowmobile once the slopes have closed, or join the free activities organised every week by the tourist office, including torchlit descents and live shows.
➡️ Discover all the activities in La Mongie.
No. The pass is closed to traffic from late November until May, as the road becomes... a ski slope in winter!
This means you cannot drive between the eastern side (La Mongie) and the western side (Barèges). During the winter season, the only way to get from one village to the other is by using the resort's ski lifts.
➡️ Check the latest Col du Tourmalet road conditions.
When the snow melts, La Mongie turns into a huge outdoor playground at 1,800 metres above sea level. Enjoy cooler mountain air and adventures from sunrise to sunset.
Cycling, mountain biking and unspoilt mountain scenery
Something for everyone
When the snow disappears, La Mongie swaps skis for mountain bikes, road bikes and hiking boots. The village becomes a giant outdoor playground.
Everything here revolves around one legendary climb: the Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m), the highest road pass in the French Pyrenees. As soon as the road opens for the summer, with the Giant Octave statue* standing guard, La Mongie becomes the perfect base for taking on this iconic climb by bike, with or without an e-bike.
➡️ Cycling the Col du Tourmalet
Downhill fans can head to the bike park on the Barèges side for run after run, while the cable car takes the whole family up to the summit of the Pic du Midi (2,877 m).
*The 3-metre-high sculpture pays tribute to Octave Lapize, the first rider to conquer the Col du Tourmalet in the Tour de France, in 1910.
Make the most of summer ☀️
Activities for everyone
At 1,800 metres above sea level, summer in La Mongie means escaping the heat of the valleys and enjoying the mountains at their best.
A legendary mountain pass at 2,115 m, an observatory perched at 2,877 m and turquoise mountain lakes stretching into the distance: there's plenty to explore from sunrise to sunset.
💡 Our team's tip: set off before 8am and head to the Arizes Valley. Marmots are much more active in the cool morning air, and you'll have a chance to see the llama herd before the crowds arrive.
Beyond cycling: gentle mountain adventures for all the family
Fresh mountain air, marmots and turquoise lakes
Away from the high peaks, La Mongie has a gentler side that's perfect for families. From the village, the trail through the Arizes Valley takes you in search of marmots and llamas – an easy walk that's enjoyable for all ages.
Fancy exploring further afield? Head to the turquoise lakes of Néouvielle, the forests around Barèges or the famous Lac de Payolle – the Pyrenean "Little Canada", where you can enjoy canoeing, pedal boating and picnics with the mountains as your backdrop.
➡️ All the summer activities in La Mongie
There's more than enough to keep you busy all day, before heading back to your accommodation to put your feet up and enjoy the peace and cool of the mountains.
Where to stay this summer
Fancy waking up to mountain views?
FAQs
Staying in La Mongie is a fantastic experience
The Col du Tourmalet, at 2,115 metres, is just above the village. You can easily drive up to the pass by car, or take on the legendary climb by bike, with or without an e-bike.
A true Tour de France icon, the pass is open throughout the summer and offers spectacular views across the mountains. Just watch out for the llamas roaming along the road — they love stopping for a photo!
Find out more about the Tour de France ➡️ The Tour de France at the Tourmalet.
La Mongie sits at an altitude of 1,800 metres, which is a real advantage in summer. While temperatures soar down in the lowlands, you can enjoy fresh mountain air, pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler evenings up here.
It's the perfect place to get a good night's sleep and recharge after a day in the mountains.
Yes. The Pic du Midi cable car, which departs from the centre of La Mongie, is suitable for families. However, the journey takes you rapidly up to 2,877 metres, so it is strongly not recommended for children under 3. The sudden change in altitude can cause painful pressure in their ears.
For older children, though, it's an unforgettable adventure, with a planetarium, a suspended bridge above the void and spectacular views across the entire Pyrenees mountain range.
The trail from La Mongie to the Arizes valley is a great option for an easy family walk, with plenty of opportunities to spot marmots and llamas along the way.
If you're travelling with young children or a pushchair, we recommend driving around 20 minutes to the Campan valley and walking around the beautiful Lac de Payolle. The paths are flat, shaded and surrounded by tall fir trees.
"Little Canada" is the nickname given to Lac de Payolle. Located at the foot of the Col d'Aspin, this spectacular natural setting combines a sparkling lake with a vast fir forest.
It's an ideal spot for a family day out. You can go canoeing, hire a pedal boat, go horse riding, enjoy a walk or simply have a picnic overlooking the mountains.
La Mongie has small supermarkets for your everyday essentials, shops selling local produce — including regional cheeses and Noir de Bigorre pork — as well as welcoming restaurants.
The resort's medical practice is closed during the summer. If you need to see a doctor or visit a pharmacy, you'll need to head down to Campan or to the pretty spa town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre.
And while you're there, why not take the opportunity to unwind at the thermal baths in Bagnères? ➡️ Aquensis
Discover the village on the other side
Barèges: the charm of an authentic Pyrenean village
On the other side of the legendary Col du Tourmalet, Barèges, at an altitude of 1,250 metres, immediately wins you over with its authentic mountain-village charm and centuries-old thermal spa tradition.
In winter, it offers easy access to the Grand Tourmalet ski area, with superb ski slopes winding through the fir forests of La Laquette.
When the warmer days return, this peaceful Pyrenean village becomes the perfect base for hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers looking to explore the great outdoors, including the bike park.