The Aran Valley lies in the north-west tip of the Pyrenees. Its remote location has helped it preserve local traditions and language - aranes is a variation of langue d'oc , or old southern French. Surrounded by mountains reaching an altitude of 3..

This fine 12-13C Romanesque-Gothic building houses the remarkable Gothic retable of Sant Miquèu (15C) and the delicately sculpted wooden bust of Christ de Mijaran that probably was part of a 12C Descent from the Cross.

Housed in an elegant 16C stately home called Tor deth Generau Martinhon, the museum teaches visitors about local geology, glaciology and history.