Artouste is one of the most extraordinary destinations in the Pyrenees. At 2,000 m altitude, it combines a glacial lake, a mountain railway rated among the most spectacular in Europe, and a family ski area with breathtaking views of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau. An experience found nowhere else in the Pyrenees.
Lac d’Artouste
Lac d’Artouste (1,989 m) is a reservoir lake created in 1929 for hydroelectric power generation. Its turquoise-green waters framed by Béarnais peaks make it one of the most photographed sites in the Pyrenees.
- Surface area: 67 hectares
- Altitude: 1,989 m
- Fed by snowmelt from Pic de la Sagette (2,031 m) and Pic d’Anéou (2,370 m)
- Trout fishing permitted with a fishing permit
The Artouste Train — Europe’s highest
The Artouste Train is the site’s star attraction. This narrow-gauge tourist railway (0.50 m track width) links the cable car station (1,994 m) to Lac d’Artouste over 10 km along a vertiginous ledge carved into the cliff face.
Technical data
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 km |
| Departure altitude | 1,994 m |
| Lake arrival altitude | 1,989 m |
| Journey time | 50 min |
| Season | Mid-June to late September |
| Built | 1924 |
The experience
The train follows sheer drops with views over the Ossau valley, Pic du Midi d’Ossau (2,884 m) and the Franco-Spanish border ridges. Some sections offer 360° panoramas hovering hundreds of metres above the valleys below.
⚠️ Tip: book the train in advance in July–August — seats sell out quickly. Children under 4 are not accepted for safety reasons.
The ski area
Winter skiing
Artouste’s ski domain is a compact family resort of rare beauty:
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Base altitude | 1,825 m |
| Summit | 2,440 m |
| Pistes | ~25 km |
| Lifts | 11 |
| Day pass (adult) | ~€27 |
The runs
- Green and blue pistes (70%) — ideal for families and beginners
- Red pistes (25%) — panoramic views of Pic du Midi d’Ossau
- 1 black run — for advanced skiers
What makes Artouste unique for skiing
The descent from 2,440 m with the Pic du Midi d’Ossau as a backdrop is one of the finest panoramic runs in the Pyrenees. The altitude ensures reliable natural snowfall from December to April, and crowds remain light compared to major resorts — no lift queues.
Getting to the ski area
Access is via cable car from the Fabrèges base station (1,250 m):
- 8-person gondola, departing every 15 minutes
- Journey time: 8 minutes to the Artouste plateau (1,994 m)
- Ski pass includes cable car access
Hiking from Artouste
In summer (cable car + train access)
Tour du Lac d’Artouste — 1h30, easy loop around the lake, views of the summits Pic de la Sagette (2,031 m) — 45 min from the train station, panorama over the lake and valley Col du Soum de Leyre (2,095 m) — 2h, crossing to Spain, remote and wild Refuge d’Arremoulit (2,305 m) — 3h from the lake, staffed hut, access to glacial cirque
In winter (snowshoeing)
Marked circuits around the lake and on the plateau from the cable car station. Snowshoe hire on site.
The Ossau valley
Artouste is the high-altitude gateway to the Ossau valley, one of the finest valleys in the Pyrenees National Park:
- Laruns (555 m) — village at the foot of the climb to Artouste, local market and Béarnais cuisine
- Gourette (1,350 m) — neighbouring ski resort, complementary ski area
- Col d’Aubisque (1,709 m) — legendary Tour de France col, accessible by bike in summer
Pic du Midi d’Ossau
The Pic du Midi d’Ossau (2,884 m) is the valley’s emblem. This rocky pyramid is visible from most of Artouste’s pistes. Its ascent (alpine grade) is reserved for experienced mountaineers, but the walks around it (Lacs d’Ayous, Tour du Pic) are accessible to all experienced hikers.
Getting there
By car
- From Pau: N134 → Laruns → D934 — 1h30
- From Toulouse: A64 → Tarbes → Lourdes → D918 → Laruns — 2h30
- From Bayonne: A64 → Oloron-Sainte-Marie → D934 → Laruns — 1h45
Parking Fabrèges car park (paid in season) at the cable car base. In peak summer season, arrive early (before 9am) to secure a space.
Cable car + train prices (summer)
| Option | Adult | Child (4–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Cable car + Train return | ~€35 | ~€26 |
| Cable car only | ~€14 | ~€10 |
| Train only (from plateau) | ~€23 | ~€17 |
Ski passes (winter)
| Pass | Adult | Child (under 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Day pass | ~€27 | ~€21 |
| Weekend (2 days) | ~€49 | ~€38 |
| 6-day pass | ~€130 | ~€100 |
Artouste is one of the most affordable high-altitude resorts in the Pyrenees.
Practical information
- Official website: artouste.fr
- Ossau Valley tourist office: +33 5 59 05 31 41
- Cable car: open in winter (skiing) and summer (mid-June to late September)
- Artouste Train: mid-June to late September only
- Base altitude: 1,250 m (Fabrèges) — Max altitude: 2,440 m