It is the new Pyrenees Road Trip. It takes you over many of the famous Tour de France ‘cols’ zigzaging between France and Spain, and to some of the most beautiful sites of the Pyrenees.
A Road Book accompanies you on this trip. It is free and full of practical advice, with lots of good addresses for accommodation, full of information on the best sites to visit, the places for outdoor activities, the spa centres, the best restaurants… It is not just another tourist guide, only the best sites recommended by clients are included. It is set out as a daily diary and has ideas for easy walks, unusual places to visit, and is full of interesting stories. Its valuable information makes it the perfect guide for a great adventure.
It is something that should be done at least once in a lifetime, whether integrally or for just a few days.
The itinerary can be done in 3, 5 or 8 days, you can choose your own rhythm. All logistics are taken care of by the Hautes-Pyrenees Holiday Boutique, the specialist in made to measure holidays: 3 and 4 star accommodation with breakfast included, pass for access to the Grand Sites, entry to the spa centres…
On the basis of two sharing it only costs €494 per person for 8 days, €335 for 5 days and €260 for 3 days (transport not included).
2 COUNTRIES (France and Spain),
1 WORLD HERITAGE SITE,
4 GRANDS SITES of the Midi Pyrenees: Pic du Midi, Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne, Gavarnie and Lourdes…
4 FAMOUS COLS,
2 NATIONAL PARKS,
1 NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE,
9 LAKES…
THE NEOUVIELLE RESERVE – NEW For Summer 2016 Five Linked Refuges
The richness of the flora and fauna, together with the many lakes and sublime scenery, have made the Néouvielle Reserve a subject for detailed study and attention.
Created in 1936, the Néouvielle Nature Reserve is one of the earliest established in France. The area covers 2,300 hectares with more than 70 lakes (Aubert, Aumar, Orédon, Cap de Long, Laquettes) and pools in which more than 570 species of algae have been identified. The area is covered with Pins à Crochets (a dwarf mountain pine), the tree growing at the highest altitudes in Europe. This famous range is bordered by the massive limestone walls of Barroude and the Pic Néouvielle at more than 3000m.
A paradise for walkers, there are many possible circuits and the grand tour of the Néouvielle can be done staying in the 5 refuges, newly linked for summer 2016.
PARC ANIMALIER DES PYRENEES – Up Close and Personal!
The Pyrenees Animal Park, ranked among the top in France , opens a new hut sleeping two adults – with windows overlooking the Bear Park.
Having successfully created the trapper’s cabin within close proximity to the wolves, this new hut will get visitors close to the bears. (closed peak months of summer July and August) www.parc-animalier-pyrenees.com
ON YOUR BIKE!
The Tour de France 2016 spends 2 days in the Hautes-Pyrenees this summer :
- 8 July 2016- 7th stage – L’Isle-Jourdain – Lac de Payolle 162 km
- 9 July 2016 – 8the stage – Pau- Bagnères-de-Luchon – 183km
The Campilaro : 24 – 26 th July – 3 days, 370 km, 8500m of elevation, 5 cols and timed ascents and 30 km of ascent to Gavarnie – www.campilaro.com
The Haute Route of Pyrenees – 23-25th August – stages 4-6 travelling via Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Azet and over Col de Peyresourde – www.hauteroute.org/events/stages/pyrenees-2016
Marmotte Grandfondo Pyrenees – 28 th August – 25 years in the Alps, 7,000 participants and for the 1st time in the Pyrenees – 163 km, 5 600 m of elevation including both sides of the Col du Tourmalet via Barèges (2115m), Hourquette d’Ancizan (1564m), Col d’Aspin (1489m), and again Col du Tourmalet (2115m) via Ste Marie de Campan, arriving Luz Ardiden (1666m). http://marmotte.sportcommunication.info/
Alternatively take an electric bike to access any of these routes
New website for cycling itineraries for Summer 2016 : www.pyrenees-cyclo.com
Pyr’Epic -Mountain Bike Pic du Midi to Lourdes 3-4 September 2016
A 2-day MTB event taking in 120 km of trails from the top of the Pic du Midi via Cauterets to Lourdes. Two stages of 50 and 70 km with 8000 meters of vertical drop, and 4000 m of elevation gain .Easy access to the Pic du Midi cable car ( 2877 m); the cable car and chairlift Cauterets and the Funiculaire du Pic du Jer for the final descent to Lourdes. http://www.lourdesvtt.com/pyrepic-le-raid-vtt-all-mountain-by-lourdes-vtt/
OUTDOOR FUN
NEW – 3D Hiking App
Available on Android, easy and fun, with map, compass , GPS, cameras. A new way to hike in freedom and security. www.faceausud.com (Cauterets, Gavarnie, Néouvielle, Pic du Midi)
The longest descent in Europe from the Pic du Midi by scooter
5th and 12th August at 04.00 pm : 2 hours of descent:15 km et 1800 m
Price : 95€ for adults – 85€ for teenager – maximum 10 places on each date. The price includes transfer from Argeles- Gazost or the Campan Valley, access to the top of the Pic du Midi cable car, equipment and snack on arrival descent. Scooter descents also available all summer at Hautacam. https://montnroll.com/la-descente-la-plus-haute-deurope/
Hike with a Huski !
With a belt around your waist allow the huski dog to gently pull you along on a hike or enjoy a quad bike ride pulled by a pack of Huskis. From 6 years – available at Argelès-Gazost, Barèges, Val d’Azun and Louron Valley – 30 mins, 35€/adult ; 25€/children (under 10yrs) – www.sherpa-chien-traineau.fr/Cani-rando
CULTURE
Historical Walk of Lourdes
Lourdes, the 2nd most visited city in France, and famous for its pilgrims has a fun ‘city beach’ for all this summer.
New – two 1 hr 30 themed walks discovering the history behind Lourdes from 1858 when before and after Bernadette’s apparitions and Lourdes in medieval times when it was known as ‘Lorda’.
http://www.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/FR/2338-circuits-pedestres-en-ville.php
Artitude – Modern art in a small village in the Hautes-Pyrenees
15 artists create a walk in Arras en Lavedan, a village of 500 inhabitants, near Argelès-Gazost on the theme of Saint Jacques de Compostela, a mixture of history, old artifacts and modern art accessible to all.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
Black Pork of Pierre Sajous –
A new delicatessan open on the Lourdes-Gavarnie road. Specialising in the local Black Pork de Bigorre. Visit the factory, see the hams being salted and taste and buy products. Discover the different breeds of pig and their diet.
Cooking courses with one of the best Chefs of the Hautes-Pyrénées
Le Viscos is one of the best restaurants in the Hautes-Pyrenees with Jean -Pierre Saint-Martin and now his son, English speaking Alexis. They are passionate about serving the best products taking over 2.5 hours to produce their meals. Cooking courses 75 €/pers. 3 people maximum –
http://www.pyrenees-holiday.com/offre/fiche/culinary-secrets/SEJMIP065V50158T
Organic Bread Making Course
The old mill is running as it traditionally did, milling wheat flour, corn, rye , buckwheat and spelt flours.
Every Saturday during summer – make your own bread.
Courses run from 9am – 16h30 Saturdays 28 May, 11 & 25 June, 23 July, 15 & 27 August, 10 & 24 September and 8 October. Tarifs: 40€/adult| 15€/child (5-12 yrs)
Visit the Mill : Tuesdays and Sundays from 14h30 to 16h30 or by appointment www.moulindelaribere.com
NO 1 SPA DESTINATION IN FRANCE
Thermal Spas –Eight spas in the region – Aquensis, Balnea, Bains du Rocher, Cieleo, l’Edenvik, Jardin des Bains, Luzea, Sensoria Rio -make the most of the region’s superb natural resources to create a unique range of spa and wellness products, harnessing the naturally warm and soothing waters.
To stay in one of the spa centres of the Hautes-Pyrenees is to discover an area which has more rivers, lakes, mountain torrents and waterfalls than almost all other regions. The air is pure, the climate soft. Spa clients re-charge the batteries with a true mountain style treatment : sunshine, superb scenery, authentic villages, a warm welcome, a traditional and comforting cuisine.
