Pyrenees Area
Have you discovered France’s best kept secret?
If you have then you will want to come back – but if you haven’t, allow us to introduce you……
| The French Pyrenees:
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 Autumn in the Mountains |
The department of Hautes-Pyrenees, part of the French region known as Midi-Pyrenees is just as you would expect – it covers both the foothills and the higher area of the Pyrenees mountains, in the centre of the range itself, midway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its neighbours are the departments of Gers to the north, Pyrenees-Atlantique to the west and Haute-Garonne to the east, bordering with Spain to the south at its highest point. The Pyrenees range boasts more than 20 peaks in excess of 3,000 metres.
It is an area of extreme beauty and great tradition, it’s history going back to the earliest human settlements, with evidence found in the many prehistoric caves that are scattered throughout the region. It has experienced territorial battles between the kingdoms of Spain and France and has been visited by travellers and pilgrims for hundreds of years.
 Cattle roaming free around the Lake at Payolle |
You can find many species of wild life, some unique to the Pyrenees, including the Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) and the Golden Eagle. There are still bears and wolves living in some areas with wild boars, marmots, several species of deer, red squirrels and various types of birds of prey in abundance. In the hills, sheep cattle, goats and horses roam freely whilst the lakes and rivers are well stocked with fish. Local gastronomic specialities include trout, duck, foie gras, garbure (a thick soup) and different types of hams and sausages. As in most parts of France, the local wines are excellent, with the Bordeaux region not too far away. |