Saint-Lary Soulan, the story of a great man and a resort

The mayor of Saint-Lary, Vincent Mir, believed that tourism was the best solution to maintain the economic development of the village. So he worked to establish and gain recognition for the Saint-Lary ski resort.

©vincentfrasiak Telesiege Oule Vallon Du Portet 08 February 2022 Dsc07392

The project

Saint Lary will experience a turning point in its life on September 13, 1944 where a team will be appointed Provisional Municipal Commission with at the head, Mr. Vincent Mir. After 3 mandates where this team leads this village to success, despite the end of the war with Germany, difficult economic periods are felt…

The 4th mandate beginning on April 26, 1953 will be the beginning of a triumphant era. After various meetings of the City Council, Mr. Vincent Mir decides to bring the project of creation of a ski resort before Mr. Sub-Prefect. Project accepted on January 11, 1954.

From then on, the commune will embark on an epic of works: town hall square, opening of the nursery school, public garden and many others … But this will be especially the beginning of the construction of the departure station of the Pic Lumiere Cable Car.

Ice fountain in front of the Fermes de saint lary

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On the road to major works

In March 1955, it is the purchase of 3 Teleskis to the house POMAGALSKI which will complete the birth of this station.

Following this, Mr. Mayor wishes to manage this commune as well as possible and decides to create in 1956 a Municipal Board for a period of 99 years which will have as its function, among other things, the operation of cable cars, ski lifts, the rental or operation of playgrounds, a campsite, a swimming pool and the management of an information office called “Office of Tourism”.

Arrives the year 1957 and a new era opens for Saint Lary. Here begins the implementation of the cable car, gondola of Soum de Matte and ski lifts of the School, Soum and Ludette.

This is the result of a long epic and a meritorious work, because everything was done on the back of a donkey or horse, roads did not yet exist.

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Saint-Lary Soulan

This fourth mandate, coming to an end, Vincent Mir begins a Fifth mandate from March 1959. The previous mandate was the one of conception and implementation but the one that is beginning will be the one of the first successes.

Saint Lary, which had become a very appreciated resort, will become Saint Lary Soulan in 1963. The two villages, that of Saint Lary and that of Soulan will agree to merge and create a single appellation. The main goal was access. The road will be continued from Soulan to the hamlet of Espiaube and from there to the Pla d’Adet. From then on, everyone is satisfied, the young people of the village find a job, the pastoral life finds a revival of activity, tourism continues to climb and a good number of champions come to train in the station.

In 1965, sixth term. New orientations see the day as the creation of the Pyrenees National Park, purchase of the thermal springs of Tramezaïgues and study of an opening of a thermal center.

The network of ski lifts is completed and the skiers are delighted with the link by road. Thus the Pla d’Adet sees its urbanization born with shopkeepers, hoteliers etc.

In 1969, Saint Lary Soulan will be named as a great French Climatic and Winter Sports Resort. This classification will provide the resort with promotional opportunities (France, abroad, Tv…)

The fame of Saint-Lary

has just begun...

The village and the resort of Saint-Lary have never stopped improving their welcome for visitors. High level sportsmen or amateurs, families… People like to spend time here during the ski season or the summer season. The tourist boom in the valley was driven by the creation of the ski resort but the diversity and richness of our valleys are also part of the reputation and appeal of Saint-Lary.

Get to know the destination better

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DOMAINE SKIABLE

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