Château Sainte-Marie and a panoramic view of Luz-Saint-Sauveur

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Panoramic view of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, situated at the confluence of three valleys. From the site, which has been developed as a viewing point, you can see the whole of the Central Pyrenees.

Details

n°1514426
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 233 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 233 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 934 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 701 m
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Château Sainte-Marie, Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Luz-Saint-Sauveur viewpoint

Description of the walk

Park in the neighbouring commune of Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the car park of the Esquièze-Sère shopping centre.

(S/E) Cross Place Mont-Blanc to reach Avenue du Barège. Turn left onto it for 50 metres, then turn left towards the Town Hall. Just before the Town Hall, turn right onto Route de Vizos. At the first junction, turn right onto the path leading to Château Sainte-Marie.
At the house, turn left and follow the yellow markings.

(1) On your right, you can see the ruins of Château Sainte-Marie (private property).
Cross the meadow, heading first north-east and then east after crossing the footbridge over the penstock of the hydroelectric power station.
Join a path that leads to a bend in the road.

(2) Do not take the road but turn left at the hairpin bend. After 50m, take the path on the right. After the first bend, take the path on the left. At the crossroads, continue straight on to reach, at the top, the panoramic viewpoint over the Pyrenees.

(3) Descend via the north-west path. At the crossroads, take the path on the left heading south and join the D175 or Route de Vizos.

(4) Cross the road and continue straight ahead along Chemin Sainte Catherine. Continue along Rue du Sardey and then Eth Marcadaoü.
When you reach the Town Hall, turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 701 m - Esquièze-Sère shopping centre near the - Bastan (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Gave de Gavarnie
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 764 m - Château Sainte-Marie
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 787 m - Hairpin bend to the left
  4. 3 : km 1.83 - alt. 924 m - Panoramic viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 2.61 - alt. 746 m - Route de Vizos
  6. S/E : km 3.05 - alt. 701 m - Car park at the Esquièze-Sère shopping centre.

Notes

Rated "Moderate" because between (2) and (3), 700 metres apart, the elevation gain is 150 metres

Worth a visit

Château Sainte-Marie: Perched atop a rocky outcrop, Château Sainte-Marie has, over the centuries, served as a strategic stronghold for the valley as well as a place of refuge for the local population. It was built in the10th century by the Counts of Bigorre. Inthe 14th century, it was occupied by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem. The English then took possession of it until 1404, when the Count of Clermont, aided by the valley’s inhabitants under the command of Aougé de Coufitte, drove them out, thus bringing an end to the English occupation of the valley. The castle was subsequently gradually abandoned. Its restoration was undertaken in the 1980s, thereby preserving one of the most significant vestiges of the valley’s history.

The ruins of Château Sainte-Marie have been listed as a historic monument since 16 October 1930. Although commonly referred to as part of the commune of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, it is situated in the neighbouring commune of Esterre.

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
cak2511
cak2511

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Luckily we were following the route on the Visorando app, as the markings are sometimes very discreet. Otherwise, it was a pleasant hike with beautiful scenery in Luz Saint Sauveur. We were lucky enough to see a large group of vultures flying over the mountains, which was impressive for us Ardèche locals.

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Gif2019
Gif2019

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We lost our way and ended up following a different route for quite a while before finding the right path again. There was a lovely view of the castle and the viewpoint.

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Bibichoux88
Bibichoux88

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike undertaken in August. The route between points 1 and 2 follows a local road with no pavement, as the riverside path no longer exists. Overall, a walk of moderate interest, as it involves several sections on tarmac and offers few points of interest, except on the return journey.

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Archange229
Archange229

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We went on this hike as a family with two adults and two children aged 4.5 and 6.5. Hiking level 2.

We recommend following the route carefully using a smartphone as there are several junctions. The path is narrow, steep and technical, and we do not recommend it for young children.
However, the view is stunning. From there, you must follow the signpost leading downwards and not take the path above. The descent is quite steep.

Enjoy your hike.

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Maud Fayolle
Maud Fayolle

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

During the walk, the path appeared to have been altered by the local council, as there were additional signposts for the viewpoint at other junctions.
Furthermore, although the path we took was there, it was clearly rarely used.
However, at the viewpoint, I couldn’t find the path indicated for the descent, though perhaps I just wasn’t very good at it...
The same walk seems to be marked out in the Chemin d’Émilie guide, but new properties have, in my opinion, altered the path.
In the end, do follow the council’s signposts, which will ensure you’re on a well-maintained path.

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KSQKMQ
KSQKMQ

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Right from the start, some incorrect information (“At the house, turn right (straight ahead = sign saying ‘Private Property’)” – when in fact you have to turn LEFT) left us in doubt as to how the walk continued.
And indeed, very poor instructions after the castle visit: “Do not take the road but turn left at the hairpin bend. After 50m, take the path on the right.” In my opinion, it would be better to specify: before reaching the road, take the path on the left which climbs up to join another bend in the road. Follow the road to the left for 50 m (do not take the first path on the right) until you reach the sign for “Belvédère” on the right.

As for the rest of the route, given that we had to follow the road, we can’t provide any further details, except to say that we found the way there… on the way back!!

So be careful!

Enjoy your walk

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Aldubo
Aldubo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the walk up to the castle was busy but straightforward. Still, it was very pleasant.
After the castle, we were completely on our own – it was brilliant.

Note: make sure you’re wearing proper footwear. The descent is very steep. The path is clear but the descent is steep. The ascent isn’t well signposted but you can’t get lost. Whichever way you go, you’re going uphill.

A fairly steep 320-metre climb

The view from the viewpoint is brilliant. What’s more, we were on our own

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