Barèges
|
Barèges Barètge |
||
|---|---|---|
.svg)
|
|
|
| region | Occitania | |
| Department | Hautes-Pyrénées | |
| Arrondissement | Argelès-Gazost | |
| Canton | La Vallée des Gaves | |
| Community association | Pyrénées Vallées des Gaves | |
| Coordinates | 42 ° 54 ' N , 0 ° 4' E | |
| height | 1,070-3,087 m | |
| surface | 45.84 km 2 | |
| Residents | 163 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 4 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 65120 | |
| INSEE code | 65481 | |
Barèges ( Gascon Barètge ) is a French municipality with 163 inhabitants (at January 1, 2017) in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées in the region Occitan (previously Midi-Pyrénées ). The small health resort is located on the western ramp to the famous Col du Tourmalet .
geography
Barèges is located in a side valley of the Gave de Pau , which is dominated by the Pic du Midi to the north and the Pic de Néouvielle to the south . The Bastan , a small river that has its source at the Tourmalet, flows through the valley in a westerly direction .
The extensive municipal area consists mainly of mountains, high valleys and numerous lakes and streams. The hamlets (hameaux) Artigalas and Cazaous form today's village center. Further downstream is the hamlet of Cabadur . There are also some individual farmsteads.
The next larger towns are Luz-Saint-Sauveur , about eight kilometers to the west at the entrance to the valley, and Campan , about 33 kilometers away at the foot of the eastern ramp of the Tourmalet.
history
In the small mountain village of the Pyrenees, extensive agriculture and livestock farming have been practiced for centuries until the local healing springs were discovered and used. According to tradition, it was shepherds who noticed that injured sheep healed more quickly in the warm and sulphurous springs.
The thermal springs first became known nationwide in 1675 when Madame de Maintenon and Auguste I, Duke of Maine and son of Louis XIV, visited the baths of Barèges for a spa stay.
In 1680, Louvois , State Secretary and Minister of State, had his broken leg treated in Barèges. On his return to the court of Versailles, he approved a loan for the first hospital on site and for the expansion of the thermal baths.
Barèges has only been an independent municipality since 1946. Until then it was only the eastern parish of Betpouey . In addition, Barèges was from 1946 to 2015 part of the canton of Luz-Saint-Sauveur (1793-1962 under the name of Canton Luz ) and since 1946 administratively part of the Argelès-Gazost arrondissement. A first indirect mention by name can be found in the green book of Bénac, in which (1037/1040) a Guilhermus de Baregda is listed.
Economy, infrastructure and tourism
The village is on the edge of the national park . Accordingly, the local economy is completely geared towards tourism. All mountain sports are offered in and around the village: paragliding, hiking, cycling, canyoning, caving, climbing, mountain biking and much more.
Barèges is also the second oldest ski resort in France. With the funicular built in 1936 , the place advanced to a year-round vacation and recreation area. Through the link with La Mongie , the region forms the largest ski area in the French Pyrenees.
The fabric made of silk or cotton and wool called barege was first produced here and therefore takes its name from this place.
Population development
| year | 1946 | 1954 | 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2006 | 2012 |
| Residents | 328 | 374 | 286 | 332 | 279 | 282 | 257 | 288 | 240 | 175 |
| Sources: Cassini and INSEE | ||||||||||
Attractions
- Barèges-Barzus thermal baths (in the municipality of Sers)
- Le Tourmalet Botanical Garden
- Sainte-Marie-Madeleine village church
View of the village
The Lac de Coueyla-Gran lake
Camp Rollot Chapel
Typical Pyrenees style house
Barèges-Barzus thermal baths
The Bastan River and the Barèges Community Hall
Memorial to the Fallen
Piets Dérat with the Tourmalet in the background
.JPG)
