Since their launch in 2022, the two lodges of the Chalet La Source have been classified 4 stars in tourism furnished, and labeled 5 diamonds in comfort accommodation quality.
Here are some explanations on these two rankings.

4 -star, tourism furnished classification

The classification of tourism furnishings is a ministerial classification of accommodation for short -term rental. Its objective is to harmonize the levels of services at the national level , to promote its readability and reliability-in particular vis-à-vis the foreign public -and generally to improve the quality of the offer.

The classification, from 1 to 5 stars , is established according to a grid of more than 100 criteria divided into 3 chapters: equipment, customer services, accessibility and sustainable development.

The chalet La Source is classified in category 4* which corresponds to a "high -end accommodation, superior comfort with very good quality development and which offers a range of services and equipment (commercial information supports available in Several foreign languages ​​including English, reception at least bilingual, ...) »

On the voluntary request of the host, this classification is established by a control body approved by the State, in this case for the Chalet La Source, by the Tourist Agency of the Gavarnie Valleys . It is valid for 5 years.

Label 5 Diamonds, Quality Comfort Accommodation

The Cauterets Tourist Office and the Gavarnie Valleys' Tourist Agency created the “Accommodation Quality” label to enhance the region's tourism stock.

This label expressed in diamonds, completes the ministerial classification "furnished with tourism" (which is a prerequisite for the delivery of the label) by insisting on certain aspects of comfort, level of equipment, services and aesthetics.

In particular, it will be a question of ensuring personalized reception and tourist documentation, providing quality bedding , well -equipped kitchen , treating the quality and harmony of equipment, providing household linen , etc.

This label directs accommodation towards a highlight of services , allowing tenants to have a great experience, exotic, far from daily routine, a guarantee of successful holidays.

For its Large Bear as for its Song Source , the Chalet La Source obtained the 5 diamond label, the higher level , which corresponds to the "standing" level where all the required required are filled and at least 75% of bonus criteria.

At the Chalet La Source, we love cycling!

The Gavarnie valleys offer an incredible concentration of legendary passes - Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam, Soulor -Aubis ... but also a large number of mountain bike routes.

Thus, it is quite natural that accommodation was designed to accommodate cyclists in the best conditions, and that Chalet obtained the
Altamonta label , a quality label deceased by the Pays de Lourdes and the Gaves valleys.

 A bicycle room, fully equipped

Each of the two lodges of the Chalet La Source has its own room to store all the bicycle equipment (or ski): a well -secure room, where you can store without problem up to 7 bikes on racks.

You will find there the necessary DIY and repair , a pump on foot , a wall foot, a  heating cloakroom to dry clothes or shoes

And even a large 3D map of the Hautes-Pyrénées, to clearly view your routes and elevations, both for the bike and the hike.

From there ... it's up to you!

Road bikes and mountain bikes

The chalet provides routes validated by Altamonta - Pyrénées Cyclo Road Bike , Pyrénées Cyclo VTT - All located within 30 km around Cauterets, with all essential information - Distance, elevation, difficulty level, course guide .. ..
Some from the chalet, such as the climb to Cambasque, arrival of the 6th ^stage of the Tour 2023.

In all, more than 800 km on the road and 900 km in mountain bike , for all levels. The big passes of course - Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam, Soulor -Aubis ... - but also less known: Couraduque, Borders, Cross -White, Tents, Troumouse ..

And if you want a road just for you, choose the week following the passage of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees, in July: this is the time of the Cycl'n Trip , organized each year by the Departmental Council of Hautes- Pyrenees.
Every day over 5 consecutive days, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., one, two, three passes are 100% reserved for cyclists, closed to car traffic. An operation entirely free and accessible to everyone, where everyone drives at their own pace.

 Evasion: a "bicycle corner" in each lodgings

In each cottage, we offer an assortment of bicycle books : mythical climbs, vintage archives of the Tour de France, walks of walks, and even a philosophy of cycling ...

To dream of new challenges and new discoveries , while having an aperitif!

Of course, the routes and bicycle books will have to be left on site!

Chalet La Source Cycles Cycles Partners

Tourmalet Bikes : "Full Service" rental of mountain bikes and road bikes

Tourmalet Bike in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, offers very high-end equipment in impeccable condition-Wilier and Giant en route, giant in electric and mountain bike assistance-all at affordable prices.
Christophe and Christelle, and their team, provide a service from A to Z, including advice on the surrounding routes.
Possibility for groups to organize the delivery and removal of bikes at home. It's free from 5 bikes on a day, or 1 bike over 5 days.
You will benefit from a 10% reduction on rental rates, reserved for the hosts of the La Source chalet.

Pierre Gabaud (Luz Bike) : MCF approved monitor, for the frame of mountain bike outings

Pierre is a graduate instructor and directs the mountain bike school the Tourmalet labeled MCF (French cycling instructor).
In the valleys of Luz and Cauterets, in paths he knows by heart, Pierre will organize a discovery hike for you (from 12-13 years old), a sports hike, or on request a bike park descent outing , or in enduro mountain bike.
Each outing is accompanied by technical advice to progress, in complete safety.
Possibility to rent all the necessary equipment for the release, via your company Luz Bikes Pyrénées.

Roc & Trail : for the rental of electric city bikes in Cauterets

Open in early 2023 in Cauterets, Roc & Trail offers mountain sports items for sale and rental.
The Chalet La Source is a partner of the store in general, but in particular for a very useful service in Cauterets: the rental of electric mountain bikes.
Roc & Trail is also a partner of the City of Cauterets, for the equipment and maintenance of the Bike Park Bikes of the Lys circus.
You will benefit from a 10% reduction on rental rates, reserved for the hosts of the La Source chalet.

So don't hesitate, come and live unforgettable bicycle stays at the La Source chalet .

The only thing you can't do for you is pedaling, but for the rest, we assure!

And long live the bike!

Upon arrival at the chalet, we notice this little stone bear which points its muzzle, from the top of its rock where the source flows.

We baptized it Jean.

A name in the blink of an eye to its creator, the sculptor Jean-Jacques Abdallah ....

But also, it is the evocation of a mythical character of the Pyrenees: Jean de l'Ours, and his fabulous legend.

A work signed Jean-Jacques Abdallah, sculptor in love with the Pyrenees

Shaped in Lourdes stone, this little bear was born in 1989 under the chisel and the polishing stone of Jean-Jacques Abdallah .

Passionate sculptor of the Pyrenees where he has lived since his childhood, his works are largely inspired by the animal world, characterized by simple lines, with a geometric tendency, which “come out of the stone”.

Jean-Jacques also produced, the Saint Martin de Gaillagos, the Aries and Taurus of Arras-en-Lavedan, the Cauterets eagle on the Demontzey path, and many other works of the smallest to the most monumental.

Do not hesitate to meet Jean-Jacques Abdallah , by appointment, in his workshop in Arras in Lavedan. A wide exhibition of works in an exceptional view awaits you. The sculptor also works on order, like this "little Jean" in Marble d'Arudy, which we wanted to Joufflu!

Jean de l'Ours, hero of the Pyrenean tales.

Jean, it is also the name of a character typical of Pyrenean and Occitan mythology, Jean de l'Ours (Joan de l'Ors), which we find from the books of old tales, even in comics modern, like this illustration by Jean-Claude Pertuzé in 1988.

The legend says that John was given birth by a shepherdess, removed and loved by a bear. A human apparently but endowed with the strength of a bear, the young Jean managed to lift the rock obstrurating the cave that imprisoned them, and joined the village, not without having promised his mother to one day return it.

Among men, the young John took the profession of blacksmith , where his colossal strength made wonder. Las, intelligent and good but clumsy and wild, Jean who became "Jean de l'Ours" became the victim of the mockery of men . He then left the village to go on the vast world, equipped with a huge iron cane that He was forged .

Together, they lived incredible adventures, rich in fights against extraordinary creatures.

His greatest feat was to release three princesses, daughters of the King of France , of the dungeon in which they were locked up, eliminating the bad creature which kept access - represented by a snake on this engraving by Edouard Zier (1885) .

A love was born between John and the youngest of the three sisters , "who knew the secret of the balm who healed everything". The grateful king authorized this marriage.

Once married, Jean held his promise towards his mother: he bought "a beautiful coach to get his mother and drive her to the castle where they lived happy long".

… It is said that Jean and his wife had so many children that they populated the Pyrenees!

Magnificent legend isn't it?

Come quickly to the chalet La Source Discover this mysterious little Jean Bear!

Esprit Parc National is a national brand of the French Biodiversity Office, available in each of the 11 national parks in France.

By joining the values ​​and criteria of this prestigious brand, the Chalet La Source contributes to preserving, and to promote, the natural and cultural heritage of the exceptional territory that constitutes the Pyrenees National Park.

In short, lighting on a carefully thought out approach.

 What are the values ​​brought by the brand's brand National Park?

The spirit brand National Park brings together the players in the park and raises awareness of visitors, with the values ​​of preserving natural and cultural heritage carried by national parks for more than 50 years:

• Sharing: promote the discovery of the multiple riches of the national park, thanks to the sharing of experience and knowledge of the players in the park.
• Commitment to a purchase that has meaning, which promotes the local economy and preserves resources.
• Authenticity, by valuing local traditions and know-how, by offering experiences as close as possible to nature, which combine natural environment, history and heritage.
• Vitality, by the development of actors who "make" the life of the park.
• Respect for cultural heritage, the preservation of resources through eco-responsible products and practices.

In practice, how do these values ​​translate?

The “National Park Spirit” label means that the La Source chalet meets the criteria set by the brand's specifications for accommodation.

In addition to the general quality of reception and environment criteria, certain criteria more specifically translate the values ​​of the national park: 

• Develop an eco -responsible approach , in terms of mobility and energy, water and waste management.
• Awareness of the protection of heritage and behaviors responsible in the natural environment.
• Encourage to discover the wealth of heritage and the actions of the National Park.
• Participate in the economic and social activity of the park , by the use and promotion of local products, the involvement in collective dynamics, and the development of local partnerships.
• Finally, to enhance the heritage and the quality of the living environment , by treating the landscape quality of the site, and by adopting an architecture and an interior design inspired by the local register.

 Values ​​very lively at the chalet La Source

Reconnect to nature

 “Inspired by nature, Esprit Park National allows you to get closer to it and disconnect, during a stay, the hectic rhythm of contemporary life. »»

 To make you forget everyday life is exactly what we are looking to bring you to the chalet the source. Everything is at hand, so that you think only to relax, in a comfortable setting. Once immersed in this exceptional view of the valley and the summits, with the only stream as the only background noise, you can fully enjoy your vacation.

Exchange with local actors

 “Spirit National Park also makes it possible to give the exchange and the meeting at the center of your stay. Through sharing with men and women passionate about their terroir and their know-how, everyone can reconnect with authenticity for a different approach to national parks, summer and winter. »»

At the Chalet La Source, we really want to contribute, meet and build a lasting relationship with the actors around us. This is why we have established many partnerships , most varied: tourism players of course, but also traders, artists and craftsmen, most close to the chalet. Come and meet them!

 Promote biodiversity, with pedagogy

 “Esprit Parc National offers products in line with the values ​​of these exceptional protected natural spaces: the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, the transmission of knowledge and the awareness of audiences. »»

The chalet La Source sets up installations to promote biodiversity , in particular in terms of microfauna. Having the chance to have a large natural space rich in vegetation, large trees, a nearby stream and a source, the chalet has many advantages for a large number of small animals.

It is to start a large insect refuge, also called "insect hotel" : this mini-chalet is converted so that many species of insects can find refuge, nesting and spending the winter, each according to his needs. Other facilities will come over time, to complete this "biodiversity course" .

To follow at the chalet the source !