Saint-Lary Soulan, the story of a great man

The mayor of Saint-Lary, Vincent Mir, believed that tourism was the best solution to maintain the village’s economic development. He therefore 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 was to experience a turning point in its life on September 13, 1944 when a team was appointed Commission Municipale Provisoire headed by Monsieur Vincent Mir. After 3 mandates in which this team brought the village to a successful conclusion, despite the end of the war with Germany, difficult economic times made themselves felt…

The 4th mandate beginning on April 26, 1953 was to be the start of a triumphant era. After various Town Council meetings, Monsieur Vincent Mir decides to take the project to create a ski resort before Mr. Sous-Préfet. The project was accepted on January 11, 1954.

From then on, the commune embarked on an epic of works: the town hall square, the opening of the nursery school, the public garden and many more … But above all, this will be the start of construction of the departure station for the Pic Lumière cable car.

Ice fountain in front of the Fermes de saint lary

©vincentfrasiak Family Vilage Fontaine Winter 07 February 2022 Dsc07198

On the road to major works

In March 1955, the purchase of 3 Teleskis from POMAGALSKI completed the birth of this resort.

Following this, Mr. le Maire wished to manage this commune as well as possible and decided in 1956 to create a Régie Municipale for a period of 99 years, whose functions would include 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 the “Office de Tourisme”.

Arrive in 1957 and a new era begins for Saint Lary. Here began the launch of the cable car, the Soum de Matte gondola and the l’Ecole, Soum and Ludette ski lifts.

This was the result of a long epic and a lot of hard work, as everything was done by donkey or horse, as roads didn’t yet exist.

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Saint-Lary Soulan

This fourth mandate, coming to an end, Vincent Mir began a Fifth mandate from March 1959. The previous term had been one of conception and start-up, but the new one was to be one of first successes.

Saint Lary had become a much-loved resort, and in 1963 became Saint Lary Soulan. The two villages, Saint Lary and Soulan, agreed to merge and create a single appellation. The main aim was to improve access. The road was to be continued from Soulan to the hamlet of Espiaube and on to the Pla d’Adet. From then on, everyone was happy, young people found jobs in the village, pastoral life was revitalized, tourism continued to grow and many champions came to train in the resort.

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In 1965, sixth term of office. New directions saw the light of day, such as the creation of the Parc National des Pyrénées, purchase of the Tramezaïgues thermal springs and study of the opening of a spa.

The ski lift network was completed and skiers were delighted with the road link. As a result, Pla d’Adet saw the birth of its urbanization, with shopkeepers, hoteliers etc.

In 1969, Saint Lary Soulan was named a major French winter sports and climatic resort. This classification opened up new promotional opportunities for the resort (France, abroad, TV…)

Saint-Lary's reputation

has just begun...

The village and resort of Saint-Lary are constantly improving the way they welcome visitors. Top sportsmen and women, amateurs, families… People love to spend their holidays here, whether on the slopes or in the summer months. The valley’s tourism boom was driven by the creation of the ski resort, but the diversity and richness of our valleys are also part of Saint-Lary’s reputation and appeal.