Pyrenees travel guide

Midi Pyrenees

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Situated in the heart of south-west France, It is one of the largest regions in the country, with a landscape of ancient towns, villages, castles, Romanesque churches and an inexhaustible history. Its extensive agriculture makes it a region of farmers and peasants, producing a variety of crops. The gastronomic escellence of the Midi Pyrenees is unquestionable, whether you dine in a Relais-Château or in a local inn, you will taste wonderful foie gras, cassoulet, roquefort and drink local wines such as Fronton, Gaillac, Cahors and of course Armagnac.

Pyrenees Atlantiques

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Pyrenees Atlantiques offers the Pays Basque and the Bearn. The ancient divisions of Labourd, Basse Navarre and Soule, with a population of around 250.000, make up the French Basque Country (Pays Basque). In 1970, despite local attempts to get departmental status for the Basque Country, the departement was renamed Pyrenees Atlantiques. Pyrenees Atlantiques is a combination of beautiful landscapes, a deeply rooted and vivacious culture, a history it can be proud of as well as flavoursome gastronomy.

Pyrenees Orientales

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Ancient Roussillon is a small region of greater Languedoc (administrative region), forming the Pyrenees Orientales departement. It includes the towns of Perpignan and Collioure within its borders. Over its long and colorful history it has known many rulers. Roussillon was administrated first by kings of Aragon and later by the the Spanish Kingdom until 1659 (except the period between 1463 and 1493). Since 1659, with Treaty of the Pyrenees France controls the land. The Mediterranean coast between Perpignan and Montpellier now has one of the most modern holiday complexes in Europe. Montpellier offers grand civic spaces, cutting-edge architecture and state-of-the-art tram system and a vision into the future of urban living. The vineyards, started in the Roman era and producing red, white and rosé wine, begin in the Narbonne area. Nearby, Agde is a smaller fishing port whose main attraction is Le Cap d’Agde, with its wide expanse of unspoiled beaches and large nudist colony.

The French Pyrenees

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The Pyrenees mountains reach right across southern France from the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean sea. Forming a natural border with Spain, the 250 mile-long range is home to a diversity of landscapes, climates and holiday opportunities unmatched elsewhere in Europe.

Bookended by sun-soaked beaches on each coast, the natural landscape in between rolls over lush meadows, snowcrusted peaks and deep canyons cut by glaciers. Adding to the scenery are Romanesque churches and monasteries, and villages, towns and settlements dating back to the Roman occupation.

The influence of nearby Spain is especially strong in the western Basque Country (Pays Basque). Here, people on both sides of the border share a language, Euskara, a sense of independent identity, and a unique sport - the handball game, pelota. In the eastern province of Roussillon, traditional fiestas and bullfights (corridas) are a reminder of the common heritage of the Catalan people. The Central Pyrenees offer some of the best walking in Europe, gentler and more accessible than the Alps, but with comparable scenery and pure air.

It is possible to walk the entire range on two trans-Pyrenean trails known as the GR10 and the HRP - the latter dips in and out of France and Spain - but most walkers choose to head off along the many shorter routes that connect towns and villages throughout the region. You don’t need to be fantastically fit to tackle most of the marked walks in the Pyrenees, taking in the variously bleak and beautiful scenery, and perhaps even spotting some of the mountain wildlife such as golden eagles and marmots. Skiing is another popular holiday activity in the Pyrenees. While the pistes may not match the Alps in quality or quantity they are extremely good for beginner and intermediate skiers, making them a favourite with family groups or those keen on cross-country skiing. Some of the best resorts are to be found in and around the tiny principality of Andorra in the Eastern Pyrenees.

If the thought of high altitudes and healthy pursuits leaves you out of breath, there are always the western Pyrenean foothills (strictly speaking part of the Gascony region), which are scattered with pretty villages, and the vineyards of Bas-armagnac, whose grapes are used to make the celebrated brandy.

touristic routes

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A gentle stroll through leafy woods. A challenging hike over rough terrain. The Pyrenees offer all that's best in walking: fantastic scenery, great places to stay, good weather and, above all, variety. Serious trekkers will relish the chance to seek out the unexplored valleys of the high mountains. Those who prefer an easier pace can stay closer to civilization, enjoying the culture and history of the area through which they are walking.

The Pyrenees can provide the best of both worlds. There's a wide variety of other activities too. If you like to break the day's trek for an hour or two, there are literally hundreds of perfect lakes in which to cool your feet or to swim. The ancient romanesque churches are worth a visit in their own rights. The Pyrenees is a place where there is still scope to explore an area of untouched natural beauty.

accommodation

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leisure

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events

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partner links

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Welcome to Pyrenees

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The Pyrenees are said to be "a wonderland to the holiday-maker", whether your interests be backpacking, mountain biking, skiing or simply the desire for adventure.
For the most part the main crest forms the Franco-Spanish frontier, with Andorra sandwiched between them. The main exception to this rule is formed by the Val d'Aran, which belongs to Spain but lies on the north face of the range. Other minor orographical anomalies include the Cerdanya fall and the Spanish exclave of the town Llívia. In the summer and autumn, the Pyrenees are featured in two of cycling's grand tours, the Tour de France held annually in July and La Vuelta a España held in September. The stages held in the Pyrenees are often the defining moments of both tours, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the region. Pyrenees National Park - Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park stretches for about 100km (60mi) along the French-Spanish border and covers an area of 460 sq km (180 sq mi) that contains hundreds of high-altitude lakes and the highest point in the French Pyrenees, the 3300m (10,825ft) Sommet du Vignemale.