Tour Culinair
On the descent of the Peyresourde pass, a few kilometres before arriving at Loudenvielle, you’ll find a small hotel called ‘les cimes’. An amazing view of the mountain, 8 bedrooms, not greatly luxurious but comfortable and clean, some have been renovated.
The biggest surprise is when you meet the owners. A young dynamic couple, Veronique and Frederic Chupin, an extraordinary couple. Frederic originates from Perpignan, before working in a sofitel hotel in China. Today they are there to promote local products ; duck, goats cheeses, lamb, Tarbe beans ect. The house speciality is the ‘garbure’, a duck stew served in a special vegetable soup. Excellent and consistent !!! and the price is certainly not a problem. The menu ‘Terroir’ at 16€ which includes ‘Garbure’, cheese and home made dessert.
The restaurant is full of photographs from the long distant travels typical of a young couple. Every year they close their doors for two months and set off with their backpack on their long distant travels, China, Laos, Bolivia, Cambodia, Burma, Chili, Indonnesia….’We don’t work to make money, we work for the pleasure’ say Fréderic. And it really is true, the manager takes time out to talk to his customers.
And after a few hours you become great friends. |
Guide du Routard

Elu coup de coeur 2010 et 2011
Free aperitif given when you arrive with this guide (guide du routard) and book in half board.
Small stone hotel at the side of the road, managed by a couple who are passionate about travel. The bedrooms are inspired by their many travels to the four corners of the world, and most have a balcony with breathtaking views. The ‘romantic’, the Tailandaise’ the ‘Chinese’ the ‘African’, are all clean and spacious and the attention to detail in the décor is amazing (chair and shower curtain in zebra print for the African). The other three bedrooms are simpler and inexpensive.
There is a relaxing lounge with TV and Asian furniture, as well as a fun little outdoor terrace overlooking the Balinese valley. Panorama views from the restaurant, with walls covered in photographs taken by Veronique of gastronomic specialities from all over the world. On the plate you will find refined and tasty dishes using local products and different flavours invented by Fréderic the ‘cuisinier voyageur’.
Simply delightful. |
GéoGuide – Les Pyrénées
The owners like to travel ; the restaurant has hundreds of photographs from touring the world and the gastronomic specialities.
In South Africa the chef discovered how to cook Austrich, in North Africa cooking with spices, in Japan raw fish (sushi). Of course certain dished also come from the local mountains : fondue, garbure, local lamb, organic trout and raclette.
The views of the valley are magnificent and everyone feels like a privileged guest. |
Guest comments book – Famille D. (16) 8 mars 2007
Today is the 8th March and we are coming to the end of our five day stay here. Some say in the house of happiness we are in the house of five senses.
Why ? Logically first is sight : actually this plays the modest part of the small hotel that is gripping onto the side of the mountain. Hiding all the treasures it posses within. The modest exterior contrasting with its exotic interior. You can browse through the impressive photographs of the exotic holidays taken over the years. After the view, hearing : Fred, what pleasure to hear the utensils of the kitchen like music. Listen to the heals of Veronique coming and going.
Which sense follows ? Certainly touch : this year what a surprise in the lounge ! the new wooden furniture covered in trinkets that you are afraid of breaking. Feel the colours and shapes that draw you to touching them. The two senses left, I don’t know which one to start with: the taste and the smell, the smell and the taste. They are in effect inseparable, Fred, all dishes smell and taste especially good. At your hotel you start by liking food and soon become food lovers.
Fred, Véro, it is rare that you find one place in one area that stimulates the five senses. The ‘Cimes hotel’ does just this. We believe that the seemingly modest appearance is because they know they give a good service and excellent food and they want their customers to discover it for themselves.
Regards. |