The gare SNCF, which is also the gare routière, is in avenue de Toulouse across the River One in the northern part of the town. The tourist office is at 18 allée d'Étigny (April–June & Nov to mid-Dec Mon–Fri 9am–12.30pm & 2–6pm; July & Aug daily 9am–7pm; Sept & Oct daily 9am–1pm & 2–7pm; mid-Dec to March daily 8.30am–7pm; tel 05.61.79.21.21, www.luchon.com), and can give details about local skiing. Adjacent to the tourist office are the premises of the Bureau des Guides who organize walks and climbs. Bikes can be rented at Luchon Mountain Bike (tel 05.61.79.88.56) and Cycles Demiguel (tel 05.61.79.12.87), both on avenue Maréchal Foch, and Sun Park (tel 05.61.79.81.41) on rue de Superbagnères.You're best off forsaking the obvious accommodation on allée d'Étigny for better value in the quieter side streets. Possibilities include Hôtel des Deux Nations to the west at 5 rue Victor-Hugo (tel 05.61.79.01.71, www.hotel-des2nations.com; €30–40), a well-kept, popular, en-suite one-star with a busy downstairs restaurant; Hôtel Céleste, to the east at 32 rue Lamartine (tel 05.61.94.74.84, [email protected]; €30–40), a bit well-worn but friendly; or, also east of the main street, the rather more pricey Hôtel la Petite Auberge, 15 rue Lamartine (tel 05.61.79.02.88, fax 05.61.79.30.03; €70–85), in a Belle Époque mansion, with ample parking and a decent restaurant. However, perhaps the most appealing option is the romantically sited Hôtel Le Jardin des Cascades, above the church in Montauban-de-Luchon, 2km east (tel 05.61.79.83.09, fax 05.61.79.79.16; €30–40; closed Oct–March), with just a half-dozen peaceful, wood-decor rooms in a lovely spot backed by a wild, hilly garden nurtured by the falls of the name. There's no gîte or hostel in town, but there are ten campsites in the vicinity; least cramped, and with the best amenities, is Camping La Lanette (tel 05.61.79.00.38, www.camping-la-lanette.com; open most of year), 1.5km east over the Pique (down rue Lamartine) near Montauban-de-Luchon. As with lodging, the best eating-out prospects are some distance away from the allée d'Etigny. Most central is Le Clos du Silène, 19 cours des Quinconces (closed Tues low season & mid-Nov to mid-Dec), a welcoming spot with sumptuous interior salons and a garden, offering three menus from €13.70–22.90. Alternatively, the shaded terrace restaurant at Le Jardin des Cascades (directions and phone as above) serves creative gourmet food, and offers sweeping views west and good service; there are cheaper lunch menus, but reckon normally on €32 per person, and mandatory reservations. Just out of town, try L'Auberge de Castel-Vielh, 2.5km south on the D125 (April–Oct daily; Nov–March weekends only; menus from €15.25), in a converted country house, serving excellent game and regional dishes, including snails and trout.
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