The Pyrénées is a natural wilderness accredited with National Park status. Mountains, lakes and forests combine to create a landscape which nature and wildlife enthusiasts will admire. Tourism is evolving - there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from - but it is far less developed than the Alps and this is one of its greatest attractions. And if you do fancy a little culture and sophistication, Pau is a genteel, gem of a city.




Information is available for the immediate area where we live, from our local tourist office website at www.valleedebaretous.com , www.lapierrestmartin.com  , www.valleedesoule.com/depart2.html  or www.tourisme-oloron.com/

Mountains are not traditionally a place for beach lovers but the Pyrénées are unusual in that you are never too far from the sand even when you're halfway up a mountain. The Pyrénées is for those who want the fresh air, scenery and wildlife of this breathtaking land. Unsurprisingly, therefore, activites are geared towards enjoying the outdoors. . La pierre St Martin is my local ski station and it is  far less busy than the Alps. Hiking - the famous GR10 trail winds its way through the mountains and there are hundreds of shorter alternatives whether it's a few hours, a day or a week of walking that you're looking for. Horse-trekking - treks through the Pyrénéan foothills including overnight camps and special 'junior' excursions.Fishing - the mountain streams are well-stocked with plump freshwater fish. International salmon and trout fishing tournaments are regularly hosted here.Birdwatching - the Pyrénées is one of Europe's last natural habitats for golden eagles and there is a Vulture Look-out Centre. Watching these birds of prey gliding in the mountain currents is quite awe-inspiring.Cycling - the Tour de France carves a particularly sadistic route through the Pyrénées. In 2005, the Étape de Tour is took place here. Road racing is a popular pastime in this area, as is mountain biking or VTT as it's known in France. Golf. Continental Europe's oldest course is located at Pau. It's a beautiful course which exudes its history. The club celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006.Mountain pursuits - why walk in the mountains when you could climb up them, abseil down them or parascend over them?  There's a number of organisations based here who can get your adrenalin pumping. If you want to get wet as well as scared, there are numerous white-water rafting and canyoning centres. Take a look at the Pyrénées Guide website.Wine-tasting - the foothills south of Pau are home to the excellent Jurançon vineyards. Whites and rosés are the main attraction - the sweet white is an excellent alternative to the more famous Sauternes, also of south west France. Rioja country is not far over the border into Spain.

PLACES TO VISIT
Haut-Béarn - this is the main attraction and incorporates the spectacularly scenic Parc National des Pyrénées. Mountain peaks, forests, lakes and river valleys combine to create a natural paradise. The vallées Aspe and Ossau are the two most spectacular. Lescun is a favourite location for mountain lovers - from here you can see the famous Les Aiguilles (needles) d'Ansabère rock formation. Laruns is another scenic mountain base with a good tourist office for advice on hiking routes, etc. There's also great views in summer at the cols Somport and Aubisque. Bird-lovers will enjoy the Falaise aux Vautours at Aste-Béon, a protected colony for native brids of prey incuding kites, falcons, kestrels and vultures. The scenic train Le Petit Train d'Artouste is a good way to take in the landscape if you have younger kids or you simply don't fancy the long walks! Another worthwhile visit is the Pic du Midi Observatory. A cable car takes you to the 2877m summit and the views are incredible. It hardly seems appropriate to go underground but the Grottes de Betharram near Lourdes are an option if it's wet outside.Pau - somehow Pau (pronounced "Po") is barely known to those living outside of France. This is slowly changing thanks to Ryanair's flight to the city. Pau is an compact, cultured, scenic and historical city worthy itself of a weekend break. The city hosts international golf, equestrian and motor-racing tournaments - the Pau Vintage Grand Prix each May brings thousands of people to the city.

If a day-trip is all you can manage, there are lovely boutiques to shop, tea-shops for refreshments, the castle of Gascon king, Henri IV, to visit and the spectacular Boulevard des Pyrénées to roam. Pau - like much of Aquitaine - has strong historical links with Britain. Wellington's troops used the city as a station and after the war, many British remained in Pau. Golf and horse-racing were introduced by the British and many of the leafy streets and grand villas were built by British and American families, seduced by Pau's genteel lifestyle and climate.Béarnais villages - arguably, pretty villages are in shorter supply than in the Basque Country. However, you should not miss out on  a viist to  Naverrenx, the first Fortified town in France. .  Historic Orthez and Oloron-Ste-Marie are also worth a visit especially on market day. Across the border into the Pays Basque, Cambo-les-Bains and St-Jean-Pied-de-Port are both attractive towns to visit; at Cambo, visit the beautiful Villa Arnaga, home of Edmond Rostand, author of Cyrano de Bergerac.Lourdes - for the Catholic faithful and the plain curious, the mecca of Lourdes makes for an interesting spectacle! Spain - Pamplona is just over the border and also Rioja country, San Sebastian and Bilbao.

The cuisine of the Pyrénées is dominated by its Gascon roots, and what could loosely be described as "country cooking". Thus, garlic, stews, game and poultry are ubiquitous, complemented by liberal doses of Jurançon and Béarnais reds. Legend has it that King Henri's grandfather smudged the lips of the newborn Henri with a little garlic and Jurançon wine just to make sure he started life as a true Gascon. If there is one dish that typifies the region it is King Henri's favourite, Poule au Pot - essentially a chicken stew.The mountains of course have their impact on the region's cuisine. Cheese, in particular. Fromages de brebis or sheep's milk cheeses are the norm.Bon appetit!