A hotel that sat empty for nearly three decades is once again taking guests - and it now holds the title of the highest hotel in France. Hôtellerie des Laquets, perched at 2,620m in the Pyrenees, reopened in late September after being closed since 1996.
The building dates back to the early 1930s, when it was constructed between 1930 and 1933 as a stopping point for tourists and researchers heading up to the Pic du Midi. After its long closure, the property has been given an extensive renovation: there are now 16 rooms, a bar and a restaurant, with a sauna and steam room due to follow in December 2026.
The restaurant is a draw in itself. The menu comes from chef Stéphane Tournié, who holds a Michelin star for his work at Les Jardins de l'Opéra in Toulouse. Half-board double rooms - some set in the historic wing of the original 1930s building - come with private bathrooms and panoramic Pyrenees views, from €599 (about £506) per night.
Getting there is part of the experience. Guests first ride the cable car to the summit of the Pic du Midi at 2,877m, then switch to a private cable car that connects to the hotel. That altitude puts it above the previous record-holder, Refuge de Solaise in Val d'Isère, which sits at 2,551m in the Alps.
The setting is remarkable beyond the height bragging rights. The hotel sits just 257m below the Pic du Midi observatory, the world's oldest high-altitude astronomical observatory. The mountain was designated France's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013, and room rates include a daily planetarium show introducing the constellations - fitting for a place where the night sky is the main attraction.
For travellers, this is a rare combination: a genuinely high-altitude alpine stay with serious food, stargazing built into the rate, and a dose of 1930s mountain architecture. It suits couples after a distinctive splurge, astronomy enthusiasts, and hikers exploring the Pyrenees who want a memorable night above the clouds rather than a standard valley hotel. Just be prepared to book ahead - 16 rooms on top of a mountain won't go far. (The source article also notes other landmark hotel openings in Europe, including the Waldorf Astoria arriving at London's Admiralty Arch in autumn 2026.)
