Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel du Cirque

With its legendary views of the Cirque de Gavarnie, this spot, which opened at the head of the valley in 1848, is well worth the one-hour hike up from the village. Despite its name, the hôtel is a restaurant, but not just any old one: the garbure here is as delicious as the view is grand; the eighth-generation owner claims his recipe, using water from the Cirque and cocos de Tarbes, or haricots tarbais (Tarbes broad beans), is unique.