The Val d'Aran is a valley in the Catalan Pyrenees on the border with France. The history, culture and language of the Val d’Aran differ significantly in their development from the rest of Catalonia and Spain. Due to its independent culture, the valley has its own political representation, the Conselh Generau del Val d’Aran
Regions
places
Vielha e Mijaran
Other goals
background
This area is marketed for tourism under the name "Pirineus", which also includes Vall d'Aran.
language
Aranese, a sub-dialect of Gascon (Occitan), is spoken by a few thousand people in the Val d'Aran.
In 2001, most people in the Val d'Aran spoke Spanish (38.78%) as their mother tongue, followed by Aranese (34.19%), then Catalan (19.45%), with 7.56% having another mother tongue . Those who speak a language other than the local Aranese are usually people born outside the valley or their children.
getting there
In the street
From Catalonia
There are two possible routes from Catalonia to the valley. The Vielha Tunnel or the C-28 motorway over the Bonaigua Pass at 2072 meters above sea level.
From France
Through the French N-618 motorway which becomes the N-230, the French N-125 motorway which becomes the N-141.
By bus
The transport company ALSA covers public transport to the Val d'Aran with a direct connection from Barcelona and regular lines and daily connections from Barcelona and Lleida.
mobility
The transport company AS A offers connections from village to village in the Val d'Aran.
Tourist Attractions
activities
- Cultural tourism. The Arantal is characterized by its significant cultural heritage, especially Romanesque art and architecture. The valley's gastronomy is characterized by products from the high mountains and a prestigious caviar production. Other tourist attractions are the festivals and ancient dances that can be seen in the villages of the valley, and a network of museums that provide insight into traditional life in Val d’Aran. Thanks to its thermal baths, the Val d’Aran is also a popular destination for health tourism. With the Baqueira Beret ski station, it is also one of the great centers of winter tourism in the Pyrenees.
- Nature and active tourism. In summer, the Val d’Aran offers a wide variety of options for nature and active tourists: There is a wide range of routes of various lengths and degrees of difficulty, especially for hikers and mountain bikers. In autumn, visitors to the Val d’Aran not only experience colorful autumn forests, but also gastronomic events that focus on Aranese cuisine.
- Nature observation. In the Aranpark in Bossost, a wildlife park with extensive open-air enclosures, visitors have the opportunity to safely observe the fauna and flora of the Val d’Aran up close. Special attractions are the brown bear, the capercaillie and the marmot.
- To ski in Baqueira-Beret, the most famous ski resort in Spain.
kitchen
The main ingredients of the valley's gastronomy are ducks, pigs, wild boars, hares, rabbits, chamois and trout.
- L'olla aranesa is a typical stew of the Vall d'Aran. It is made from dried mushrooms, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, pork and beef, chicken and black pudding.
- Torrin is a garlic soup.
L'olla aranesa
Torrin
