Nestling in a nook of greenery between the ocean and the mountains, Pau is the town where the living is easy! In a subtle blend of history and modernity, lifestyle and cuisine, Pau invites you to take a stroll along the ‘Boulevard des Pyrénées’ and around its parks and gardens, to discover its monuments (Henry IV’s Castle, Museum of Fine Arts, Musée Bernadote…) www.musee-chateau-pau.fr, to experience the thrills and spills of Pau’s Grand Prix, to feel the speed at Pau-Arnos motor-racing circuit www.circuit-pau-arnos.com, to try your luck at the Casino housed in the historic setting of the “Palais des Congrès” convention centre www.pau-congres.com or at one of the horse-racing meetings www.hippodrome-pau.com, without forgetting to savour the local cuisine, including its famous “poule au pot” (chicken stew), accompanied by a good bottle of Jurançon wine www.vins-jurancon.fr .
For more information: www.pau-pyrenees.com , www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr , www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com …

in the Bearn region…

Get away from it all!

Follow the highroads and byroads in the footsteps of the Musketeers www.mousqbaretous.com and discover the authentic charm of the Barétous, Aspe and Ossau Valleys, their cheeses, their cold-meat specialities… without forgetting the historic sites of Salies-de-Béarn, Sauveterre, Orthez and Oloron www.tourisme-oloron.com. Climb to the top of the highest peaks to glide down snow-covered slopes www.gourette.com, www.lapierrestmartin.com, www.altiservice.com and take advantage of the mild temperatures to hike along the trails and footpaths of St. James of Compostela… or simply admire the preserved mountain landscapes and vineyards.
For more information: www.parc-pyrenees.com , www.tourisme64.com/bearn/ …

at the gateway to the Landes…

Welcome to the “Côte d’argent”: a huge pine forest bordered by beaches stretching as far as the eye can see www.plages-landes.info. Try your hand at any water sport or simply watch one of several international surfing competitions… Head inland on foot, on horseback or on a bike to discover the forest www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr, practise your swing on its many golf courses all year round thanks to the mild climate, go to watch a “course Landaise” (type of acrobatic bullfighting involving no bloodshed) www.courselandaise.org, or taste the local cuisine…
For more information: www.tourismelandes.com

near the Hautes-Pyrénées…  

Are you a nature-lover? Here are a few ideas for a getaway: Gavarnie natural circus www.gavarnie.com, the Pyrenean National Park www.parc-pyrenees.com, Néouvielle Nature Reserve, the “Pic du Midi” mountain www.picdumidi.com, the waterfalls at Pont d’Espagne, Betharram Caves www.grottes-de-betharram.com…And don’t miss the most picturesque stages of the Tour de France! For sports-lovers, there are also miles of ski slopes and hiking trails stretching far across the massif…

For more information: www.tourisme-hautes-pyrenees.com , www.bareges.com , www.bagneresdebigorre-lamongie.com , www.saintlary.com , www.cauterets.com 

in close proximity to Lourdes…
And don’t leave without visiting the Sanctuary of Lourdes which, each year, welcomes more than 11 million visitors from all over the world… www.lourdes-france.com

at the gateway to Gers…
“If country life is what you’re looking for, Gers is the place for you…” In the footsteps of d’Artagnan www.mousquetaires.asso.fr, take a journey of discovery around Gers’ rich and varied heritage sites (Route des Bastides, Route de Castelnau, Auch Cathedral, Château de Lavardens, the Gallo-Roman Villa of Séviac…), savour its “foie gras” www.foie-gras-gers.com, “confits” and St. Mont wines www.plaimont.com, taste its Armagnac www.armagnac.fr, let your hair down to the sounds of its festivals (Bandas de Condom, Corrida de Vic, Jazz in Marciac…), breathe the pure, fresh air on the hiking trails of this “French Tuscany”, and relax at the thermal springs of Barbotan-les-Thermes… pleasure for all the senses!
For more information: www.tourisme-gers.com

just a stone's throw from the Basque Country…

With its history, its traditions and its know-how, the Basque Country is unique… from Hendaye to Bayonne via St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the festival spirit mingles with the local cuisine. Try your hand at pelota or the Basque trials of strength… visit its grottos and caves, taste the “piment d’Espelette” (locally-produced chilli pepper) www.pimentdespelette.com and Iraty pure ewes’-milk cheese…

Feel like lazing around? Take advantage of its famous beaches to relax or, for the more adventurous, make the most of this surfers’ paradise…

Need to get back into shape or simply spoil yourself? Try thalassotherapy in one of the many spas… For more information: www.tourisme64.com