Camping Municipal Le Hourgade

The municipal campsite Le Hourgade is in Avajan, in the Louron valley (Hautes-Pyrénées), on the edge of the village. Rated one star and run by the commune, it sits beside Lac d’Avajan and the Neste du Louron, on a large meadow, much of it shaded.

The site has 150 pitches. From the A64 motorway, take exit 16 at Lannemezan, then head towards Arreau and the Louron valley on the D125, which passes through Bordères-Louron. The published rates, valid since 1 January 2022, show €12 per day for a transit package for one to two people with a vehicle and a tent, caravan or motorhome, €14 during the summer holidays, and €8 for a walker or cyclist. There are mobile homes, partly occupied by resident owners, but their rental is not detailed online.

Opening period: the official website gives no dates. Camping websites contradict each other, between a season from June to September and an opening from January to December on a 2018 listing, which is now out of date. It cannot therefore be claimed that the campsite welcomes holidaymakers in winter: to stay outside the summer, call 05 62 99 69 86.

The campsite reception plays several roles: you can find tourist brochures, order bread and pastries, collect a fishing permit or book the tennis court. Free, monitored wifi access is offered, and tokens let you use the showers, washing machine and dryer. Electricity is charged according to the amperage chosen, from 3 to 16 amps, and a space to park a caravan without staying in it, known as a “garage mort”, is offered at €3 per day.

On site there is a recent multi-sport court for tennis, football and basketball, a table tennis table, children’s play equipment, a petanque court and a meeting room. In summer, a pizza van visits once a week, on Wednesdays. There is no swimming pool: the water here is Lac d’Avajan and the river, a stone’s throw from the pitches. The website does not say which services run outside the summer, nor whether the washrooms are heated.

Fishing is the asset the campsite promotes, bordering Lac d’Avajan and the Neste du Louron. The stretch is private and managed by the local association, the APPMA La Gaule Louronnaise: to fish for trout in the rivers and lakes of the valley, including those at Génos-Loudenvielle and Avajan, you need the local permit. Fish are released regularly, largely from the Avajan fish farm, and permits are collected at reception. A fishing day reserved for children was announced in August 2023.

On site, the multi-sport court, table tennis and petanque keep the sportiest busy, and a tennis subscription at €80 is offered. According to the website, the Louron valley offers walks and hikes, wellbeing options, thrill activities, leisure and heritage to discover. The website does not detail what activities are possible in winter.