The village of Saint-Savin is situated to the south of Lourdes and north of Luz-Saint-Sauveur at the northern edge of the Pyrenees and makes for an interesting diversion when you are in the region. The road that leads to the village follows a road uphill through a scenic section of woodland.
Exploring Saint-Savin
The small village of Saint-Savin is centred around an open square that includes several colombage houses, a fountain and a cafe, the town hall and the post office. To one side of the square is a belvedere that overlooks the valley below the village.
The Abbey of Saint-Savin
Much the most important monument in Saint-Savin is its abbey-church.
A monastery has stood here since the 10th century, when it was first built on the site of a Roman fort, and continued in active use until the Wars of Religion. There then followed a long period of abandon, with much of the stone from the buildings being used for local building projects, and it was only in the second half of the 19th century that the building was protected and restoration began.
In the walls outside you can see several carvings dating from the romanesque origins of the church while inside the church you can see a rare 16th century organ and a tabernacle. The associated buildings that can still be seen include the salle capitulaire and the treasury.
Behind the church there are terraces that have nice views across the valley and on the brow of a hill just outside Saint-Savin you can visit the small Chapel de Pietat.
Attractions nearby
It is probably true to say that most visitors here are on their way to the more important mountain regions further south in the Pyrenees National Park, but if you have the time a popular attraction nearby is the Pyrenees Animal Park, a short distance north of Saint-Savin at Argelès-Gazost.
The Col du Tourmalet with the Pic du Midi is not far to the south-east, and one of the most scenic parts of the Pyrenees.
You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Pyrenees guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Saint-Savin
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Map of Saint-Savin and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Savin with France This Way reviews
Lourdes
Lourdes is of course very famous as a pilgrimage centre which attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors each year
Lourdes guide
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
The pleasant town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur is well placed to explore some lovely Pyreneean mountain scenery
Luz-Saint-Sauveur guide
Gourette
Gourette s a small ski station on the route to the Col d'Aubisque near Eaux-Bonnes
Gourette guide
Col d'Aubisque
The Col d'Aubisque is a beautiful mountain pass with views of numerous high mountains in the Pyrenees
Col d'Aubisque guide
Col du Tourmalet
The Col du Tourmalet is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees, famous because the Tour de France passes here very often
Col du Tourmalet guide
Eaux-Bonnes
Eaux-Bonnes is a 19th century belle-epoque spa town at the base of the Col d'Aubisque
Eaux-Bonnes guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Hautes-Pyrenees
Address: Saint-Savin, Argelès-Gazost, Midi-Pyrenees, 65400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 42.980452, longitude -0.090882
Plan your visit to Saint-Savin, Hautes-Pyrenees
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Cirque du Lys: site of natural beauty (12 km)
- Ourdis-Cotdoussan église St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (12 km)
- Pont d'Espagne: site of natural beauty (15 km)
- Grottes de Betharram: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Cirque du Litor: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Cirque du Marcadau: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Col d'Aubisque: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Col du Tourmalet: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Grottes de Médous: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Zoo d'Asson: zoo or wildlife park (22 km)
- Vallée d'Ossau: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Gavarnie église St Jean Baptiste (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (28 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Savin (Francais)