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

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

A brief overview of a carefully considered approach.

 What are the values ​​promoted by the Esprit Parc National brand?

La marque Esprit Parc National fédère les acteurs du Parc et sensibilise les visiteurs, aux valeurs de préservation des patrimoines naturels et culturels portées par les parcs nationaux depuis plus de 50 ans : 

• Le partage : favoriser la découverte des multiples richesses du Parc National, grâce au partage d’expérience et de connaissances des acteurs du Parc.
• L’engagement dans un achat qui a du sens, qui favorise l’économie locale et préserve les ressources.
• L’authenticité, en valorisant les traditions et les savoir-faire locaux, en proposant des expériences au plus près de la nature, qui mêlent environnement naturel, histoire et patrimoine.
• La vitalité, par la mise en valeur des acteurs qui « font » la vie du Parc.
• Le respect du patrimoine culturel, la préservation des ressources grâce à des produits et pratiques éco-responsables.

In practice, how are these values ​​translated?

La labellisation « Esprit Parc National » signifie que le Chalet La Source répond aux critères fixés par le cahier des charges de la marque pour les hébergements.

In addition to the general criteria for quality of reception and environment, certain criteria more specifically reflect the values ​​of the National Park: 

• Développer une démarche écoresponsable, en termes de mobilité et de gestion de l’énergie, de l’eau et des déchets.
• Sensibiliser à la protection des patrimoines et aux comportements responsables dans le milieu naturel.
• Encourager à la découverte des richesses des patrimoines et aux actions du Parc national.
• Participer à l'activité économique et sociale du Parc, par l'utilisation et la promotion des produits locaux, l'implication dans la dynamique collective, et le développement de partenariats locaux.
• Enfin, valoriser les patrimoines et la qualité du cadre de vie, en soignant la qualité paysagère du site, et en adoptant une architecture et une aménagement intérieur inspirés du registre local.

 Values ​​that are very much alive at Chalet La Source

Reconnecting with nature

 "Inspired by nature, Esprit parc national allows you to get closer to it and disconnect, for the duration of your stay, from the hectic pace of contemporary life."

 Vous faire oublier le quotidien, c’est exactement ce que nous cherchons à vous apporter au Chalet La Source. Tout est à portée de main, pour ne plus penser qu’à vous détendre, dans un cadre confortable. Une fois immergé dans cette vue exceptionnelle sur la vallée et les sommets, avec le seul ruisseau comme seul bruit de fond, vous pourrez profiter pleinement de vos vacances.

Exchange with local stakeholders

 “The national park spirit also allows you to put exchange and encounters back at the heart of your stay. Through sharing with men and women passionate about their land and their know-how, everyone can reconnect with authenticity for a different approach to national parks, summer and winter.”

Au Chalet La Source, nous voulons vraiment contribuer, rencontrer et construire une relation durable avec les acteurs qui nous entourent. C’est pourquoi nous avons établi de nombreux partenariats, des plus variés : acteurs du tourisme bien sûr, mais aussi commerçants, artistes et artisans, la plupart à deux pas du Chalet. Venez les rencontrer !

 Promoting biodiversity through education

 "Esprit parc national offers products that align with the values ​​of these exceptional protected natural areas: the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, the transmission of knowledge, and raising public awareness."

Le Chalet La Source met en place des installations pour favoriser la biodiversité, en particulier au niveau de la microfaune. Ayant la chance de disposer d’un large espace naturel riche en végétation, de grands arbres, un ruisseau à proximité et une source, le Chalet présente en effet de nombreux atouts pour un grand nombre de petits animaux.

Il s’agit pour commencer d’un grand refuge à insectes, encore appelé « hôtel à insectes » : ce mini-chalet est aménagé afin que de nombreuses espèces d’insectes puissent y trouver refuge, nidifier et passer l’hiver, chacune selon ses besoins. D’autres installations viendront au cours du temps, compléter ce « Parcours Biodiversité ».

To be continued at Chalet La Source !

1 - Un chalet niché à flanc de montagne,
au cœur des sentiers de balade

Located on the western slope of the Cauterets valley in the heart of the Hautes Pyrénées, the chalet is served by a discreet private path of a hundred meters from the avenue du Mamelon Green. After the gate, we still climb up to 50 meters to access a large terrace. Winter if there is snow, the chains or socks will be advised.

From the chalet, you take your hiking shoes for multiple walks opportunities. The great classics: the climb to the Lys circus on the east side, and on the other slope the cascades' trail from the Raillère to the Spanish bridge, which allows you to discover the magnificent waterfalls in the heart of the Val de Jéret . And many more!

2 - The view: the "wow" effect

As soon as you enter the large living room, we are attracted by the perspective on the whole of the valley and the peaks around you. At an altitude of 967m, the village is dominated about fifty meters. But it is especially towards the peaks that the gaze is formed. The tall windows and the panoramic terrace are an invitation to distinguish all the summits.

The highest are in the south-peaks of Culaus, Ardiden, Agudes (2800-2900m)-snowy until May, their white meringue in the distance, offers a striking contrast with the tender green of closer slopes. Opposite, on the eastern slope we find the Col du Lisey, the Pic des Aulhères and the Col de Riou (2000-2100m), then going up north, the peaks of the Arribans, Viscos and Soulom (1800-2100m ).

The strongest experience: when the peaks are covered with snow, that the whole valley is wrapped in a white coat, you feel like immersion in this immaculate setting ... guaranteed WOW effect, you never get tired of it !

That's good, you will have all the time to fill your eyes, whether warm with the stove, or from a deckchair on the terrace ...

3 - Relaxation in a large garden rocked by the song of water

Nature at the source is also the charm of the garden that surrounds the chalet: whether on the large terrace where large can enjoy sunbathing, and the little ones will go in the hut hidden in the area ... But also more intimately: near the garden with aromatics, you will find spaces where to hang your hammock between two pines for a nap surrounded by nature ...

For gourmets, in summer you can even enjoy raspberries, redcurrants, blueberries and walls that hosts have scattered on the embankments - the garden is also the pleasure of the taste buds!

Without forgetting in the background, the "Song of the Source", coming from the Peyrenère stream which runs right next to it. He gushed on the mountainside a few hundred meters higher, and descends to the Gave de Cauterets. It is crossed by a small bridge when you get out of the property on the Cambasque side; No luck is well -protected for children to fall into it.

Water still, much more discreet: the charm of a small fountain from a natural source, at the foot of the chalet - to refresh itself after a good hike ...

Come and discover the La Source chalet, a setting to recharge your batteries with all serenity, a wonderful parenthesis to fill up with energy and well-being, in "slow life" mode.

Day 1 - Departure from Paris

It is the day of departure for our small troop of 7 friends. We are all impatient at the idea of ​​swapping the routine and the swarming of the Parisian capital, for fresh air and the large Pyrenean spaces, for ten days.

We pass the whole journey to discuss our respective weeks, and to organize the one to come, so that we do not see the 4h30 of train pass. Once in Lourdes, we jump in a large taxi, and in less than 30 minutes we arrived at the chalet the source under a magnificent sun.

Distribution of the rooms, wonder of the view, and the rest of the day takes place quietly between parts of cards and races for the week, to end with a good dinner.

Day 2 - Walk at the Pont d'Espagne

After a calm night and a morning spent each at their own pace, nothing like a hearty brunch to enjoy this first Sunday all together.

The sun being still in good shape, we decide to go on a ride. A small group leaps to the tourist office to request recommendations for easy -to -access walks and doable in a half day.

The program is indicated: it will be hiking at the Pont d'Espagne! The site has the advantage of being regularly served by a shuttle from the Cauterets bus station, in the center of the village. It was also one of the reasons why we did not take a car: everything is accessible on foot or by public transport, it is ideal!

So we put on our walking shoes, take the shuttle, and spend a magnificent afternoon between the snowy trees and the small streams that barely delay. The dream.

On the way back, we share a mulled wine in a local bar, before returning to dinner at the chalet.

Day 3 - Quiet telework

First day of teleworking for the Parisian tribe. We are fortunate to be everyone in a company allowing us to work regularly from where we want, as long as we are in good conditions.

Precisely, the chalet is connected to the fiber with WiFi relays which broadcast the network in all the rooms, and almost all of the rooms have a small desk to isolate and make calls.

The rest of the time, we work together in large living rooms, whose space is particularly warm and soothing.

It is therefore in these ideal conditions that the first day of work takes place as if nothing had happened, the view and the great outdoors for the few coffee breaks!

Day 4 - Raclette and rink

Can a week in the mountain really do without a raclette party? We will let you make your own opinion, in any case we have chosen our camp: tonight it's raclette! During our lunch break, we go to a village cheese maker who cut us a nice assortment of local cheese.

Perfectly equipped for large tables, we take one of the two raclette devices available and the cheese trays begin to pass from hand to hand.

Once satisfied, we decide to take a rink at the ice that opens especially on Tuesday and Saturday evenings until 11 p.m. For the occasion, the ice rink takes on the air of rollerblading disco with sound of sound and light. Guaranteed atmosphere and successful evening for the small team.

Day 5 - Warm dinner and board games

On this third day of teleworking at the chalet, temperatures cool off a bit. What could be more normal in the mountains. We therefore take this opportunity to light the pellet stove to take the relay of the heating & air conditioning system in the main living room, and give an even more comforting atmosphere to this warm space.

The day also ends around the fire after a good dinner, with the board games that we brought for the week. Between collaborative, strategic or even humorous games, there is something for everyone!

Day 6 - Fondue evening obliges

To take full advantage of the valley, we all agreed to take a day off at the end of the week. It is therefore the light spirit that after our fourth and last day of telework we all go to the brazier, a local restaurant, to share fondues and grills with charcoal.

And once returned to the chalet, it's disguised evening! Everyone puts on their disguise found for the occasion, and let's go for some group photos. In a dancing mood after enjoying a few beers from the region, we all end the evening in the local bar, laughing and dancing until closing.

Day 7 - Slide at the Lys circus

Everyone wakes up at their own pace, but not too late either because for this unwarmed day we decided to enjoy the main attraction: skiing!

We go on foot to a rental store at the foot of the cable cars, and once equipped, the latter bring us in less than 10 minutes to the ski area.

Let's go for the first tracks! Having left outside the school holidays, the station is not full and we can therefore chain descents and ski lifts at our own pace, very pleasant.

Day 8 - Relaxation at the thermal baths and outing at Queen Hortense

The day promises to be sunny, and we decide for a quiet hike to the chalet "La Reine Hortense". The site has a magnificent view of the Cauterets valley, and we take this opportunity to share a generous feat of cold meats and local cheese.

Once came back down, we decide to take a tour of the natural thermal baths in Cauterets to recover after the day's day and the short hike. Between the hot baths, the hammam, the cold but invigorating shower, and the massage water jets, the relaxation is total.

Back to the chalet, dinner, and our last evening ends with a few glasses at the local bar to mark the blow of this week in Cauterets!

Day 9 - Brunch before returning to Paris

That's it, our green parenthesis is coming to an end. Before leaving, we do not fail to take advantage of the friendliness of the chalet around a Sunday brunch.

The suitcases are made, the taxi brings us to the station, and on the train we only think of one thing: when do we return?