Major city · France
Gavarnie
Spend 2 days in Gavarnie for the cirque and hikes; one night if you only see the main waterfall.
Gavarnie is a tiny mountain village in the Hautes‑Pyrénées, the gateway to the UNESCO‑listed Cirque de Gavarnie and surrounding peaks. The village itself is walkable; the main attractions are a 1.5‑2 km walk to the cirque, a 422 m waterfall, and higher alpine routes that need extra time. One night covers the basics, two days let you add a Brèche de Roland hike or a ski day in winter.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb (ski season)
- avoid Nov (road closures, heavy snow)
- Airport
- Lourdes–Barbazan (LDE)
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gavarnie17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gavarnie, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyGavarnie is generally safe; main risks are mountain weather changes, occasional road closures, and limited mobile coverage on high trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 Medical (SAMU) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLDE Lourdes–Barbazan Airport (Bus line 965 connects to Gavarnie; about 1 h 15 min total.).
- Getting aroundThe village centre is traffic‑free; walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedDormitory or basic guesthouse, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in 2‑star hotel, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in 2‑star hotel, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LDE Lourdes–Barbazan Airport (Bus line 965 connects to Gavarnie; about 1 h 15 min total.)
Map of Gavarnie
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Gavarnie
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Torla · 15 km straight line
- Saint-Lary-Soulan · 29 km straight line
- Ainsa · 37 km straight line
- Bagnères-de-Bigorre · 39 km straight line
- Lourdes · 40 km straight line
- Canfranc · 42 km straight line
- Somport · 43 km straight line
- Jaca · 49 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gavarnie: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village centre is traffic‑free; walk everywhere. To the cirque walk 1.5‑2 km (≈30 min). Horse or donkey rides are available for a traditional approach. Buses run seasonally; private car on D921 is common.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Luz‑Saint‑Sauveur
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus 965 or drive 15 km (9.3 mi), about 30 minBus 965 or drive 9.3 mi (15 km), about 30 min
Thermal baths, more shops and a larger post office.
Cauterets – Pont d'Espagne
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Drive 30 km (19 mi) via D921, about 1 hDrive 19 mi (30 km) via D921, about 1 h
Waterfalls and alpine trails, good for a second day.
Pic du Midi de Bigorre
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Drive 35 km (22 mi) to La Mongie, then cable carDrive 22 mi (35 km) to La Mongie, then cable car
Cable car runs May–Oct; weather can delay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Les Cimes
2‑star hotel, rooms from €70, free Wi‑Fi.
Hotel le Taillon
2‑star, €90‑120, breakfast included.
Chalet‑refuge la Grange de Holle
Staffed mountain hut, 62 beds, €30‑40 dorm.
Camping Bergerie
Open early June‑late Sep, pitches €20‑30.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–70 (≈ US$65–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–110 (≈ US$100–130) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in 2‑star hotel1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| Bus 965 round‑trip (Lourdes‑Gavarnie)2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Horse‑ride to the cirque (30 min)2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| eSIM data for 7 days2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €37 |
| Trip total≈ €206 per person per day, bed included | €411≈ US$500 |
Hotel le Taillon or Les Cimes.
2026 estimate in euros; flights and long‑distance train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Meal (soup, cheese plate, drink) | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Ski lift ticket (full day) | €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Horse‑ride to the cirque (30 min) | €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter road conditions on D921 can close; check before travel.
- Mobile reception is patchy on high‑altitude trails.
- Bus line 965 runs only in summer and winter ski season; off‑season service limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Medical (SAMU)
- 15
- General EU emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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GavarnieGavarnie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Medical (SAMU)15
- General EU emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Bordeaux (check address); other nations use the embassy in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lourdes → Gavarnie (Bus 965): about €12 (≈ US$14) each way, ~45 min (check)
- Horse‑ride to Cirque: ≈ €25–35 per person (check)
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (pardon)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- C’est combien ? — How much is it? (sayt kom-byan)
- Où est le sentier du cirque ? — Where is the trail to the cirque? (oo eh luh sahn-tyay dyu sirk)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-yay par kart)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gavarnie. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb (ski season) · avoid Nov (road closures, heavy snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Gavarnie
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