In brief
- The Hôtellerie des Laquets reopened on 25 September 2026 after thirty years of closure below the Pic du Midi.
- Situated at 2,620 metres above sea level, the establishment becomes the highest hotel in France, ahead of the Refuge de Solaise (2,551 m).
- The rehabilitation and extension project represented a total investment of 12.7 million euros.
- The address offers 16 rooms, a wellness area, and a restaurant designed by Michelin-starred chef Stéphane Tournié from €599 per night for two people.
The Hôtellerie des Laquets, a legendary address in the Pyrenees, reopened its doors on 25 September 2026 following a major renovation project. Perched at 2,620 metres above sea level, just below the summit of the Pic du Midi, this historic 1930s building enjoys a spectacular second life and officially takes the title of the highest hotel in France. A major event for French mountain hospitality, pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury towards the Pyrenean peaks.
This long-term project forms part of a broader drive to enhance the mountain and scientific heritage of the Pic du Midi. This peak, famous worldwide for its astronomical observatory, takes a new step forward by combining excellence in research and celestial observation with a high-end tourist accommodation offer. The rebirth of this iconic building reflects the desire to preserve the historic architecture of the Pyrenees while adapting it to the contemporary demands of an international clientele seeking unique and immersive experiences in the heart of wild nature.
The new pinnacle of French hospitality
The reopening of this establishment marks a historic turning point for the Pyrenean massif. Having long remained in the shadow of major Alpine developments, the Pyrenees range demonstrates here its ability to design exceptional development projects in particularly sensitive and hard-to-access environments. The Hôtellerie des Laquets does not merely open its doors; it redefines the standards of high-altitude accommodation by offering services equivalent to those of major lowland establishments, all whilst overcoming the physical constraints imposed by an extreme altitude environment.
The success of this opening relies on a close alliance between environmental preservation, respect for pre-war architectural heritage, and the deployment of cutting-edge modern technologies. For visitors, staying at Les Laquets is not merely a holiday; it is a true immersion into the history of mountain conquest and French scientific observation, in a setting where every detail recalls the audacity of mountain pioneers.
A new altitude record in the Pyrenees
This national record was previously held by the Refuge de Solaise, located at an altitude of 2,551 metres in a former cable car station in Val d’Isère, Savoy. By rising 69 metres higher, the Hôtellerie des Laquets moves this altitude record from the Alps to the Pyrenees. The project to rehabilitate and expand this building, closed since 1996, required an investment of 12.7 million euros to transform this historic structure into a refuge.
The history of this site is deeply linked to that of the Pic du Midi observatory. Originally built during the 1930s to welcome the first mountain tourists as well as visiting scientists, the Hôtellerie des Laquets spanned decades before suffering the ravages of time and closing its doors at the end of the 20th century. Its closure in 1996 left a great void in the Pyrenean landscape. The thirty years of closure that followed required in-depth technical studies to design a rehabilitation project capable of withstanding the rigours of the high-mountain climate, characterized by violent winds, extreme temperatures, and exceptional snowfall over long months of the year.
Every evening, this high-calibre refuge welcomes 34 privileged guests on a half-board basis. The establishment complements the overnight accommodation already offered at the summit of the Pic du Midi (which accommodates 27 people per night), bringing the site’s overall capacity to 61 people per evening. Demand is expected to be exceptional, with nights at the summit already boasting an annual occupancy rate exceeding 96%. This synergy between the two sites allows for a coherent and diversified accommodation offer, meeting the growing enthusiasm of travellers for astronomical tourism and the search for total disconnection at high altitude.
Sixteen rooms suspended over the void
The position of the hotel offers a dizzying feeling of suspension above the surrounding valleys. The layout of the rooms was designed to maximize this visual relationship with the void and the majesty of the surrounding peaks. The architects worked on the orientation of each opening to provide unique framings of the landscape, which changes throughout the hours and seasons. The materials used for the interior design favour wood, stone, and warm textiles, creating a striking contrast between the mineral austerity of the exterior and the refined, protective atmosphere of the sleeping areas.
A confidential refuge with four-star comfort
The establishment offers sixteen keys, divided between an exclusive suite (designed to accommodate two to four guests) and fifteen refined double rooms. Notably, one of these rooms has been fully fitted out to be accessible to people with reduced mobility: a logistical feat that the summit facilities previously did not allow. All rooms feature a private bathroom and an unobstructed panoramic view of the Pyrenees range.
To perfect the high-mountain experience, guests have access to a wellness area featuring a sauna and a steam room, as well as a warm lounge complete with a fireplace and terraces ideally oriented towards the setting sun to contemplate the twilight over the peaks. Integrating these wellness amenities at such an altitude required incredible technical ingenuity, particularly regarding fluid management, thermal insulation, and water supply under prolonged freezing conditions. As for the outdoor terraces, they were designed to offer relative shelter from the prevailing winds while guaranteeing a 360-degree viewpoint over the surrounding peaks.
The lounge with its central fireplace forms the true social heart of the hotel. After a day spent exploring trails or stargazing, residents can gather to share their mountain experiences. The atmosphere is that of a private high-altitude club, combining the traditional conviviality of mountain refuges with the discreet elegance and attentive service of a prestigious establishment. This fine balance between mountain simplicity and hotel refinement constitutes the deep identity of this extraordinary address.
A gastronomic dining experience by a Michelin-starred chef
The culinary offer reflects the same search for excellence as the hotel’s other services. Leading a gastronomic project at over 2,600 metres above sea level represents a permanent challenge for the kitchen teams. Atmospheric pressure alters cooking times and the perception of flavours, forcing the chef and his brigade to constantly adapt their recipes and preparation techniques. Furthermore, the regular supply of high-quality fresh produce requires flawless logistical coordination with local producers in the Pyrenean valleys.
Starred gastronomy and a spectacular arrival
The culinary experience matches the altitude. Dinner is served in a bistronomic restaurant whose menu was created in collaboration with Stéphane Tournié, Michelin-starred chef of Les Jardins de l’Opéra in Toulouse. An exacting, local high-altitude dining experience supporting the ambitions of the establishment, whose 4-star classification is currently underway.
This prestigious collaboration firmly anchors the establishment in its Occitanie region. Chef Stéphane Tournié highlights the riches of the region through dishes that reinterpret classic mountain cuisine with a contemporary, airy touch. Guests can thus savour refined dishes while observing the changing spectacle of clouds and rock through the large bay windows, transforming every meal into a moment of contemplation suspended in time.
Access to this eagle’s nest is spectacular: a small single-cabin cable car connects the hotel directly to the summit of the Pic du Midi, located at an altitude of 2,877 metres. Offered from €599 for two people, the overnight stay includes half-board, a tour of the site, and access to the facilities. This exclusive mode of aerial transport adds an extra dimension to the guests’ adventure as they soar above the steep slopes of the massif to reach their destination. This journey through the air provides an ideal preparation for the out-of-this-world atmosphere that characterizes the Hôtellerie des Laquets, offering a spectacular transition between valley life and the absolute calm of the high Pyrenean peaks.
