Pic du Midi de Bigorre

The Pic du Midi has carried an astronomical observatory since the late nineteenth century, hauled up piece by piece before there was any road, and it is still a working scientific station rather than a museum with a view. A cable car from La Mongie now does in a quarter of an hour what once took two days with mules. At 2,877 metres the terraces look out along the whole chain, into Spain on one side and over the plain of Gascony on the other, with the domes of the telescopes standing on the ridge beside you. A walkway with a glass floor projects out over the drop. The air here is exceptionally dark at night.

What to look for

• The chain panorama - the Pyrenees ranked east and west from a single terrace.
• The observatory domes - working telescopes on the ridge, included in the visit.
• The suspended walkway - a platform with a glass floor out over the north face.
• The night sky - a dark sky reserve, with a small number of overnight stays sold.

When to go

June to October gives the best chance of clear air. The cable car also runs in the ski season but closes in high wind, which happens often and without much notice. Check the summit webcam before driving up the Tourmalet road. Sunset and overnight visits sell out weeks ahead in summer and cannot be arranged on the day.

What to expect

It is expensive, and a summit in cloud is a real possibility that no amount of planning removes. At 2,877 metres some people feel the altitude, and it is cold and windy on the terraces in any season. Midday is crowded with coach groups. The last cable car down is earlier than visitors expect, which cuts the visit short.

Nearby

The Col du Tourmalet is just below, with Bagneres-de-Bigorre and Lourdes further down the valley.