The village of Arties, has a population of 400 inhabitants and is located in the Val d'Aran at an altitude of 1,114 m. It occupies a small widening in the Garona valley, on both sides of the river, at the confluence of the river Valarties and the river Garona. Its houses are grouped closely together near the previously mentioned confluence. It is significant to highlight the great granite mass of El Montardo (2,380 m), which rises high above the final section of the river Valarties.
In the historic nucleus, places of particular interest include the parish church of Sta. Maria d’Arties, the tower of the castle of Arties (or castle of Entransaigües), the house called Çò de Pauet, and the particularly interesting house of Portolà. Along the main road there is the ancient church of Sant Joan, a work dating from the 13th century, which is now a venue for seasonal exhibitions organised in conjunction with the Museu dera Val d'Aran (Museum of the Val d’Aran). On the outskirts of the village, it is possible to find the Banhs d'Arties (Baths of Arties). The building is now abandoned, but it houses two sulphurous water springs, one of whose waters emerge at a temperature of 43º, with the other flowing out at 29º. This is a place that really merits a visit!

What to visit

The most outstanding focus of interest is the set of buildings that form the heart of the village. In the case of the church of Sta. Maria d’Arties, a Romanesque style construction dating from the 11th and 12th centuries with a very elegant belfry that was added between the end of the 12th century and beginning of the 14th century, the interest is due as much to the building’s perspective as to the volume of the church itself.

On the other side of the road visitors will find the church of Sant Joan d’Arties, a Gothic style building dating from the end of the 14th century, which has an octagonal bell tower. This building presently houses travelling exhibitions. To the south of the village lies the chapel of Sant Pelegrí.

On the outskirts of the village, and within a well-defined and protected space, there are two bears.

Routes

Setting out from Arties and following the Valarties valley route, visitors will find the Mar, Tòrt de Rius, Rius and Restanca lakes. There is a mountain shelter next to the last of these.

On the other side of the main road, it is possible to walk along a 6.5 km path that follows the course of the river Garona and leads to the villages of Garòs, Casarilh and Vielha.

Traditions

On 24th June, the village of Arties celebrates its local festivities, with an event called “Eth Taro”. The celebrations begin a few days earlier, when a group of men from the village go out in search of the largest fir tree in the forest. After stripping it down, they plant it on the outskirts of the village. Just after being set on fire, the tree is pulled down using “endortes” (special types of rope) and dragged around the village. The young people of the village then jump over the Taro to the sound of music as it is paraded along its route.

25th June marks the pilgrimage of Sant Pelegrí and 25th July marks that of Sant Jaume.

Where to eat

• Asador Iñaki Tel. 973 644554
• Bar Camping Tel. 630918460
• Bar Cònsul Tel. 973 640803
• Bar Urtau Tel. 973 640926
• Biniaran Tel. 973 641058
• Candelaria Tel. 973 642024
• Casa Irene Tel. 973 644364
• De Net Tel. 973643237
• Divino Tel. 973 644486
• Don Gaspar De Portolà Tel. 973 640801