Puente de la Purísima: activities for everybody in the Val d’Aran

The Purísima bridge, the first of the winter season, is presented in the Val d’Aran full of activities and proposals for a total disconnection. Artisan markets, cultural visits, Christmas atmosphere in crib towns, join the usual cultural, sports, gastronomic and commercial of the valley to offer our visitors an attractive program.

Christmas spirit

During these days, the Christmas atmosphere is already breathed in the streets and squares of the villages, deliciously decorated. Some, such as Arties and Bossòst, organise a popular festival to celebrate the start of the season and the lighting of Christmas.

GET TO KNOW THE VALLEY THROUGH ITS HERITAGE

With the first cold weather, a good option is to get to know the valley through its historical heritage. The Conselhèria de Cultura and Musèus dera Val d’Aran organise guided tours of Romanesque churches and temporary exhibitions. In addition, on the days of the bridge the museums are open at a time adapted to visitors.

Markets and fairs

Different markets and fairs will invade the squares of the Aranese villages with handicrafts, Christmas decorative objects and autochthonous gastronomic specialities, from the same Thursday and throughout the weekend.
From the 6th to the 8th, the Vielha Cheese Fair takes place, where you can taste a great variety of cow, sheep, goat and buffalo cheeses, many of which are unknown to the general public but renowned among gourmets. On the other hand, the village of Les celebrates Friday 7 its traditional Feria de la Purísima, which also offers typical products of the area such as cheeses, jams, honey, pâtés and an interesting sample of Aranese crafts. And on Thursday in Arties you will have a second-hand ski equipment market where you can equip yourselves for the whole season.

Christmas shopping

During these days in the valley you will surely also find moments to walk around the commercial areas of the main towns. The Val d’Aran offers an attractive and particular route of shops where you can choose some of your Christmas gifts and browse through an assortment of unique details to take with you as a souvenir of your stay.

Aranese gastronomic experiences

Living an authentic Aranese gastronomic experience is something not to be missed. The temptations are many and to the taste of all palates. Traditional recipes and more sophisticated dishes gather all the flavour of this place in the Pyrenees. You can enjoy delicious specialties based on hunting and fishing, high quality pâtés, aromatic crêpes, traditional soups, and so on. And, above all, content your stomachs with a traditional Aranese Olha, the best reconstituent in fresh days.

Sport and activities in the snow

It is still a good time to practice hiking and mountain biking in the Val d’Aran, given the weather forecasts. In addition, with thicknesses between 15 cm in 2500 and 5 cm in 1,800 Baqueira Beret will partially open the area of Baqueira in its central area and Cara Nord with a maximum extension of 15 km of tracks. Piste preparation services have been working for days to maintain the best possible conditions for skiers and snowboarders.
In the valley you can also carry out other snow-related activities. An excursion with snowshoes, for example. We advise you to find out first to make sure that the terrain is in good condition. You will find all the information in the microsites of hiking, btt and snow of Torisme dera Val d’Aran, where you can also be informed about the weather forecast.

The interpretation centre of Artiga de Lin opens during la Purísima

Taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions so that visitors to the Val d’Aran can get to know one of the most emblematic places in the valley, the Artiga de Lin Interpretation Centre opens during the Purísima holiday. The opening hours are: from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Offering visitors a deeper understanding of the natural value of this unique area of Valle de Aran is the aim of the recently inaugurated Artiga de Lin Interpretation Centre. Through an interactive tour, the visitor passes through different spaces that describe, from the glaciations that shaped the Ribera de la Artiga 50,000 years ago, to the native fauna and flora.

The birth and the Uelhs deth Joeu, the history of the Ermita de la Artiga de Lin and the old Hospital, the Es Bordes route, stories of shepherds, traffickers, hikers and refugees, are some of the main attractions of this magical place, one of the routes used by those who managed to escape from the Nazis during the Second World War. It also describes the curiosities of the native insects and the various family hiking routes that can be done in the surrounding area.

Downland here the Artiga de Lin brochure.