Vielha

Vielha's old town preserves a cluster of medieval stone houses, with the parish church of Sant Miquel marking the transition from Romanesque to Gothic — its bell tower and altarpiece both Gothic in style. The Musèu dera Val d'Aran occupies the Torre del General Martiñón, a manor house displaying the valley's geology, vegetation, history, art and ethnology. The surrounding villages hold further historic churches, including Romanesque examples at Betlán, Betren, Escuñau, Mont and Vila, and Gothic churches at Arrós and Gausach.

Vielha is reached by road through the Vielha tunnel (5,173 m long), connecting Ribagorça to the south (entrance at 1,626 m) with the Aran valley to the north (entrance at 1,390 m). The valley road runs 48 km from the Bonaigua Pass (2,072 m) to the French border at Pont de Rei. From France, access is via Pont de Rei or through Bagnères-de-Luchon via Portillon to Bossost.

The nearest airports are Tarbes (161 km), Pau (157 km), Lleida (145 km), and Toulouse (166 km). Local dishes to try include olha aranesa (beef stew), caulets (cabbage-wrapped meatballs), game meats such as duck, wild boar and chamois, and trout served smoked, fried or baked.