Arties

A good place to get lost during an afternoon strool. That’s what we did. We left the car in a parking lot and began to wander around the streets without any specific plan, checking out the incredible colored houses, stone-covered streets, and Romanesque architecture.

Arties is perhaps the cutest, most chic and French-like town we’ve seen in the area. The amount of stores and restaurants will impress you, especially considering the town’s size. They’re all full of quality and glamorous items -- that’s for sure!

The towns magnificent views and the honor of walking around two of the biggest rivers in the valley, the Garona and the Valarties, makes everything even that much more beautiful. Many houses made of stone, Wood, and slate have been conserved in the area, but there’s also a surprising amount of French influence, especially in the colors of the houses.

Arties, in addition to being a precious town, is the town in the Aran Valley – except for Vielha – with the most hotels and restaurants. Flanking its small, cobblestone streets are beautiful mountain houses with slate roofs. The town, which oozes an elegant and refined air, boasts old bridges made of stone that cross the crystal-clear and fast-flowing Garona river. The unavoidable Santa Maria church is located on the hillside, as well as a Romanesque temple with spectacular gothic paintings.

As previously mentioned, Arties has some really good restaurants and bars. Once the sun goes down,

Delightful Pyrenean town with houses made of stone and stone roofs. The center of the town is practically all pedestrian due to the narrow streets. The town is small and can been seen in a relatively short amount of time, but it’s worth stopping here on your trip and getting lost in the narrow streets for a bit.