The Pyrenees
The mountainous chain of the Pyrenees stretches some 420 kilometres from coast to coast, from Atlantic to Mediterranean, throwing up a natural frontier between France and Spain. At their highest always touched with snow, the mountains offer a constant backdrop as you travel through the region. They are the local weather barometer, too, announcing rain, warm weather or cold, depending on the season. From the Pic du Midi, site of an important observatory at around 2300 metres, you can watch the stars and feel as if you are on top of the world.
A thousand lakes and rivers, with their icy waters flowing from glacial cirques and descending in endless waterfalls, create some of the greenest valleys and the best possible pastures for sheep and cattle. In spring, when the high meadows are colourful with flowers of every kind, the flocks and herds are taken up to their summer grazing, and in July the shepherds come down with their cheeses to the market squares and fairs of Etsaut and other centres.
Every season has its pleasures in the mountains, and a warm autumn is a time for relaxing beside a rushing torrent, cooling a bottle of wine in the cold waters to wash down a picnic of local ham and cheese. Now you might be lucky enough to see the isards, the Pyrenean chamois, which is a protected species, or perhaps a brown bear in one of its few localities in Europe.
Every season has its pleasures in the mountains, and a warm autumn is a time for relaxing beside a rushing torrent, cooling a bottle of wine in the cold waters to wash down a picnic of local ham and cheese. Now you might be lucky enough to see the isards, the Pyrenean chamois, which is a protected species, or perhaps a brown bear in one of its few localities in Europe.
Winter brings all the possibilities of downhill and cross-country ski-ing in the many resorts at higher levels. And almost all year round, for the serious trekker or walker, long-distance trails lead right along the Pyrenean chain, or take you over high passes into the different climatic zone of Catalonia or Aragon on the Spanish side.
Equally, the lower flanks of the mountains offer you the pastoral area of the Baronnies, sparsely populated, wooded and a haven of tranquillity, or the beechwoods of Comminges together with its impressive abbey and town, or Foix with its charming old town and castle views. This is the wonder of the Pyrenees, their sheer variety, and their accessibility for every taste and level of activity.
Equally, the lower flanks of the mountains offer you the pastoral area of the Baronnies, sparsely populated, wooded and a haven of tranquillity, or the beechwoods of Comminges together with its impressive abbey and town, or Foix with its charming old town and castle views. This is the wonder of the Pyrenees, their sheer variety, and their accessibility for every taste and level of activity.
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