L'auberge la Moraine in Garin, large lodge facing the mountains
L'auberge la Moraine is a large lodge in Garin, in Occitania, in the Luchon area close to the Peyragudes ski resort. It has a glazed common room with a south-facing terrace looking onto the mountains. It suits groups and simple stays, but the state of the building divides opinions.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of L'auberge la Moraine.
Where L'auberge la Moraine is in Garin
L'auberge la Moraine is in Garin, in the Haute-Garonne department of Occitania, in the Luchon area. One guest counts it among the finest lodges in the region, and another notes it is close to the Peyragudes ski resort.
The original description mentions the Col de Peyresourde nearby and free private parking, which helps if you come by car. The setting is rural and mountainous, with walking trails all around.
What the rooms and common areas are like
L'auberge la Moraine works like a large lodge, with simple, functional rooms. According to the description, each has its own private bathroom with a shower and toiletries.
- The common room. It is the element that comes up most: glazed, with a large south-facing terrace overlooking the mountains.
- The rooms. One guest finds them functional and pleasant, while others find them cold and dated.
- The fireplace. One review describes it as pleasant, but little used.
- Leisure. The original description mentions table tennis on site and golf courses nearby.
Several reviews describe more of a holiday centre, with a cook, activity leaders and group stays. That detail says a lot about the kind of guest it suits.
What guests appreciate
Google gives L'auberge la Moraine 4.4 out of 5, from 71 reviews. The positive comments centre on three points.
- The welcome. Several guests talk about very friendly staff and a professional manager.
- The location. Peace and quiet, the mountain views and the closeness to Peyragudes come up often.
- The food. One guest finds the food very refined, and another says you eat and sleep well there.
An honest caveat, though. Several of these reviews are old, some by several years, and some describe a simple level of comfort. The welcome and the scenery make up for it, according to them.
What to know before booking
The criticisms focus mainly on the state of the building. One recent review sums it up: very cold rooms, heating that didn't always work in deepest winter, basic bathrooms and renovations needed. Another, older, mentions mould and a broken shower.
| The highlights | What to know before booking |
|---|---|
| Warm welcome | An old building that needs work |
| Glazed room and south-facing terrace | Cold rooms in winter, according to a recent review |
| Calm setting facing the mountains | Limited services, according to other reviews |
| Free private parking | Breakfast judged merely acceptable |
My advice is to ask about the heating if you come in winter, and not to expect a charming guesthouse. It is a simple mountain lodge.
Who this lodge suits
I would choose L'auberge la Moraine for a group stay, a school trip or a group of friends who want a large common room facing the mountains and who mainly care about the welcome. It also appeals to those skiing at Peyragudes who want an unpretentious base.
I would avoid it if you want modern comfort, well-heated rooms or polished decor. The lukewarm reviews are fairly clear on that.
What to do around Garin and other places in Occitania
Around Garin, the draws are walking, the mountains and the nearby ski resorts. I don't have other verified information on activities, so I'd rather not invent any.
To compare with other places in Occitania, you can look at Le relais de l'Alaric, in Moux, L'Arrivée, in Autoire or Domaine de Py, in Loubressac. For a group lodge near Luchon, L'auberge la Moraine is still an option worth considering.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
