Nestling in a nook of greenery between the ocean and the mountains, Pau is the town where the living is easy ! Combining 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 Grand Prix, to feel the speed at Pau-Arnos motor racing circuit www.circuit-pau-arnos.com , to try your luck at the Casino located in the historical congress centre www.paucc.fr 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” accompanied by a good bottle of Jurançon wine www.vins-jurancon.fr
More: www.pau.fr , www.tourisme-aquitaine.info , www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com
in the Béarn…
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…And don’t forget the towns of Salies-de-Bearn, Sauveterre, Orthez and Oloron www.ot-oloron-ste-marie.fr with all their historical heritage… Climb to the top of the highest peaks to glide down snow-covered slopes www.gourette.com, www.lapierrestmartin.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
More: www.parc-pyrenees.com , www.tourisme64.com/bearn/
at the gateway to atlantic coast and the Landes…
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 by 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 bullfighting) www.courselandaise.org , or taste the local cuisine…
More: www.tourismelandes.com
at the gateway to the Gers in Gascony…
“If country life is what you’re looking for, Gers is the place for you…Find ideas for tours in ”Dans les pas de d’Artagnan” (In the footsteps of d’Artagnan) the lastest guidebook written by Odile Bordaz (Balzac Editions) and visit the musketeers’ famous haunts in the Bearn, Gascony, Bigorre and Basque regions… www.mousquetaires.asso.fr In Gascony, 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, the Flaran Cistercian Abbey www.cister.net/viewabbey/36/ …) 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 ! Savour the “foie gras” www.foie-gras-gers.com , “confits” and St. Mont wines www.plaimont.com and taste Armagnac www.armagnac.fr In summer let your hair down to the sounds of many festivals (Bandas de Condom, Corrida de Vic, Jazz in Marciac…)
More: www.tourisme-gers.com/gers-vacances/uk/home.asp
just a stone’s throw from Lourdes …
Don’t leave without becoming one of the 11 million people per year from all over the world who visit the Sanctuary of Lourdes…
More: www.lourdes-france.com
and the Hautes-Pyrénées…
Are you a nature-lover ? Here are a few ideas for a getaway : Betharram Caves www.grottes-de-betharram.com , Gavarnie natural circus www.gavarnie.com , the Pyrenean National Park www.parc-pyrenees.com ,Néouvielle Nature Reserve, le Pic du Midi www.picdumidi.com , the waterfalls at Pont d’Espagne … And don’t miss the most picturesque stages of the Tour de France! www.tourmalet.fr For sports-lovers, there are also miles of ski slopes and hiking trails stretching far across the massif…
More: www.cg65.fr/cg65/frst_tou.htm www.bareges.com www.bagneresdebigorre-lamongie.com , www.saintlary.com www.cauterets.com
right next to the Basque Country…
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…
More: www.toursime64.com/pays_basque/accueil.htm
