- L’Hôtellerie des Laquets, a new luxury hotel, will open in 2026 at an altitude of 2,620 metres on the Pic du Midi, becoming the highest in France.
- The 11 million euro project, led by architects from 360°, will feature 16 rooms and has received the BDO silver medal.
- Gastronomy will be provided by chefs Renaud Lamazère (Le 2877) and Stéphane Tournié (Jardins de l’Opéra), offering local and gourmet cuisine.
- The rate of €569 minimum for two includes the cable car, the tour, the gourmet dinner, the overnight stay and breakfast, in an intimate setting for a maximum of 32 people.
Honestly, you had to think of it! While everyone is fighting for the best sea view or the prettiest terrace in town, they decided to build the highest hotel in France. And not just by a little: 2,620 metres above sea level in the Pyrenees. Let’s just say the competition will have a hard time keeping up!
When French hospitality thinks big · very big!
Well, first of all, hats off to the workers. Because working at this altitude with 200 km/h winds is not exactly what you would call easy working conditions. The guys started in June 2024, stopped for the winter (logically), and resumed in the spring.
The great thing is that they installed a small cable car to connect the site to the Pic du Midi. So now they can work even in winter. Clever! It is Poma equipment, 100% French, with a single cabin that makes the round trip. No need for pylons everywhere, it respects the landscape!
An original building, modernised
The architects at 360° (based in Toulouse) have done a great job. They kept the spirit of the original building · built between 1930 and 1933, no less · but completely modernised it. The concept? Marrying the old and the new under the same curved roof.
In the old part, they played the “rustic chic” card with references to Pyrenean mountaineering. In the new wing, it is more of a Nordic, minimalist style, so that nothing distracts from the view. And what a view! Because, well, at this altitude, you might as well enjoy it.
Moreover, their approach earned them a BDO (Bâtiment Durable Occitanie) silver medal. Not bad for a project at this altitude.
16 Rooms For A Crazy Experience
So, we are not talking about a 200-room palace here. This is bespoke: only 16 double rooms, for a maximum of 32 people per night. Each room has its own bathroom (phew!) and above all, its own breathtaking view.
And a small point of pride: they have planned a room accessible to people with reduced mobility. Something they hadn’t managed to do at the Pic du Midi until now.
The common areas are inviting: a lounge with a fireplace to warm up after a day outside, a bar with a panoramic view, terraces… Everything you need for memorable evenings!
Two Chefs In The Kitchen
For the food, they didn’t do things by halves. They brought on board Renaud Lamazère, the chef of the Le 2877 restaurant (the one already at the Pic du Midi), and Stéphane Tournié, Michelin-starred chef of Les Jardins de l’Opéra in Toulouse. The guy is even from Argelès-Gazost, so he knows the area!
The idea? Local but gourmet cooking. At this altitude, with this view, it promises dinners that we won’t soon forget.
How Much Does It Cost?
Well, let’s be honest, it’s not a budget hotel. Expect to pay at least €569 for two people, but be aware that it is all-inclusive: the cable car ride to the Pic du Midi, the tour, the descent to Les Laquets, the gourmet dinner, the night and breakfast.
When you do the math, it’s the same price as a night at the Pic du Midi, but with a totally different experience. More cosy, more intimate.
An 11 Million Project That Supports Local Work
The total investment? 11 million euros. Not cheap, but the funding is well structured: some from the State (€1.5m), some from Europe (€800,000), the Occitanie Region (€650,000), the Department (€450,000), and the rest in bank loans plus profits from the Pic du Midi.
And the best part of all this? All the work is entrusted to local companies. Gallego for the structural work, CTB for the framework, MAB for the joinery… A great lesson in local development.
Why Will It Work?
First, look at the figures for the Pic du Midi: 78,000 visitors this summer, +6% compared to 2024. The Le 2877 restaurant was a hit with 9,000 customers (+15%). The concerts at the summit were packed with IAM, Véronique Sanson, Cerrone…
And then, there is a real unmet demand. The occupancy rate of current rooms at the Pic? 96.08%! In other words, they are turning people away.
A Story That Continues
What I like about this project is that it brings life back to a building that has been abandoned for 30 years. L’Hôtellerie des Laquets was THE place in the 30s-90s. Scientists, mountaineers, writers, journalists… All the elite of the time passed through there.
The building had fallen asleep, and now it is going to return to service with a crazy ambition: to become the unique experience hotel in Europe.
See you in 2026
Reservations open in early 2026 for an inauguration the following summer. In winter, they also plan to host corporate seminars. Imagine the motivation of your teams after a seminar at 2,620 metres!
In a sector where everyone copies everyone else, they have found the trick: go where no one dares to go. Respect!
To be continued… if you are afraid of heights, stay away!
By Raphael Simon | 13 October 2025
