Backroads of France - The Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are a paradise for the mountain lovers – in all seasons, be it the summer when the gorgeous landscape is bright green with lofty mountains, stunning gorges, flowing rivers and gushing waterfalls, dotted with numerous charming villages. Or in the winter when the ski areas of the Hautes-Pyrénées (High Pyrenees) coems alive offering some amazing skiing opportunities for all levels, followed by apre-ski parties! So pick you season, and get over to the mountains!!
Trip Highlights
- Start your journey on the Mediterranean side of the Pyrenees, in the le Pays Cathare and explore the astounding walled city of Carcassonne famous for its medieval fortress, Cité de Carcassone – a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Drive along the magical Gorges de Galamus, carved out over time by the tumultuous waters of the river Agly
- Hike to the top of Le Cirque de Gavarnie – the most dramatic site in the Pyrenees National Park, a circular ring of mountainous granite walls that enclose the valley as if it were the gigantic nave of a church.
- Take the toy-sized Train d’Artouste which trundles its way for 10km to Lac d’Artouste, offering heart-stopping views over the valley and the spiky Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
- Stop over at the pilgrimage site of Lourdes – where visitors have come for over a century to see where Saint Bernadette received her visions of the Virgin Mary and where the town’s healing waters reputedly heal illnesses.
- Finish up in Biarritz on the Atlantic coast, where the Rocker de la Vierge is an absolute must-see. A magnificent rock with impeccable view over the ocean
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require Schengen Visa for visiting France. It is processed by VFS and issued by the Consulates of France in all the Indian metro cities.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 7 days for this itinerary. You may want to add a few nights at the beginning or end of the trip to spend in Paris.
Best time to visit
This region is best visited in summer or early fall (May-September), while the winter months of October-February tend to be cold, with short days, and many attractions are closed, or work on limited hours.
mountain drives, hiking & trekking, photography, pilgrimage sites, medieval walled cities, scenic train ride
Did you know
- According to Greek mythology the Pyrenees are named after Pyrene, the daughter of Bebryx and a lover of Hercules. A horrible experience led her to flee to the woods, where she perished. A mountain range formed from her tomb and was thus named in her honor.
- The Pyrenees stretch from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Ocean on the west. For the most part, the main crest forms a divide between Spain and France, with the microstate of Andorra sandwiched in between.
- The Pyrenees are older than the Alps: their sediments were first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.
- There are only 21 glaciers in the Pyrenees (10 on the Spanish side and 11 on the French side) covering an area of 4.5 square kilometers
