Grand Tour of the - in 3 days and 3 nights

Proposed by Nathalie 33 (0)5 62 56 70 00 [email protected]

3 days to see the very best of the Pyrenees : 3 legendary Tour cols, 4 Grand Sites of the Midi Pyrenees, 1 World Heritage site, a National Park, 3 lakes, places famous the world over... All is organised for you, hotels, breakfasts, passes to visit all the best sites, it is all included in the price. The detailed road book will help you make the most of your time with suggestions for places to visit, suggestions for walks, superb viewpoints, the best places to eat, and lovely spots for a relaxing pause.

3 days/3 nights in 4 and 3 star hotels and 3 star Clévacances chambre d’hotes, with breakfast included, staying in Saint-Lary, Gedre-Gavarnie, from • 1 ‘Grands Sites’ pass to Pic du Midi (access to summit by cable 260 € /person car) + -Pont d’Espagne (parking, cable-car ride from Puntas and Based on 2 persons chairlift to Lac de Gaube) • 1 entry (2h) to Balnéa () spa centre with outdoor baths, lagoons, hammam, jacuzzi, bubble beds... An independent driving circuit

The strengths:

An itinerary set out for you to explore at your own pace Nothing to book No more than 2 hours driving each day A varied programme

On the programme:

Day 1 : Head to Loudenvielle, in the secret Louron valley, an unspoiled paradise. Relaxation at the Balnea Spa, the first spa in the French Pyrenees. Then cross the Col de Val Louron towards Saint Lary, in its the wide Pyrenean valley which leads to . Night in Saint Lary. Loudenvielle - Col de Val Louron Azet - Saint Lary: 20.5kms/38minutes Day 2 : Breakfast and leave Saint Lary for a magnificent day! Two legendary Tour de cols, the Aspin and the Tourmalet, the cable-car ride to the summit of the Pic du Midi at nearly 3000 meters of altitude and a breathtaking panorama, the , a World Heritage site. Night in Gedre. Gavarnie - Col d'Aspin - Pic du Midi (): 50.3kms/1hour Pic du Midi (La Mongie) - - Gavarnie: 42kms/1hour2mins Day 3 : Breakfast and leave Gavarnie - Gedre for a magical day! Discover the sublime site of Pont d'Espagne at Cauterets, in the very heart of the National Park. Then down the valley to Lourdes to watch the fascinating torchlight procession during the evening. Night in Lourdes. Gavarnie - Cauterets Pont d'Espagne: 51kms/1hour16 mins Cauterets Pont d'Espagne - Lourdes: 38.6kms/48mins Day 4 : Breakfast and departure

Accomodation:

4 and 3 star hotels and chambre d’hotes

Day 1: Your 4 star hotel At the very heart of the Pyrenees this hotel has an exceptional setting, green and calm. It has been able to conserve its Pyrenean roots and its mountain soul, a sense of cultivated charm is evident. The hotel staff is at your service to offer a stay of the very highest quality. The bedrooms are both classical and contemporary, a subtle use of fabrics, warm colors, the duvets and pillows offer an absolute comfort. Each room has a clear view either over the mountains or the garden. The bar and restaurant have an open fire with an original décor mixing woods, stone, slate and animal skins. In summer you can take your breakfast on the terrace, perfect also for a pause for coffee. The use of the natural materials - wood, stone, slate etc, inspire a feeling of warmth and comfort. And for that perfect relaxation the hotel is directly connected to the Sensoria Spa centre. Not need to go outside to immerse yourself in their soothing warm waters, take a massage or a session in the gym. Your hotel has 65 bedrooms (including 3 for persons with reduced mobility), a restaurant, bar with open fire, 4 meeting rooms, a terrace.

Day 2: Your 3 star Logis hotel Your 3 star Logis hotel is located in Gedre, the village from which the three prestigious 'Cirques' of Gavarnie, Troumouse and Estaube are reached. From the terrace there is a splendid view over the Breche de Roland. You are at the entry point to the National Park and the World Heritage site of 'Pyrenees, Mont Perdu, land of Cirques and Canyons'. Your hosts, Odile and Philippe offer a very warm welcome in their family run hotel, the building dates from the 17th century. Their restaurant proposes a range of typically Pyrenean dishes such as Garbure, Porc Noir de Bigorre, AOC Bareges Gavarnie lamb, the surprising Gateau a la Broche. A festival of flavours to be enjoyed with a glass or two of or Pacherenc... Your hotel has 25 bedrooms (with 3 offering disabled access), a restaurant, bar, lounge, a panoramic terrace. Your double bedroom has 160 cms double bed, bathroom with toilet, hair-dryer, telephone, LED TV.

Day 3: Your 3 star Clévacances guest house Constructed towards the end of the 19th century this villa is in the centre of Lourdes with a magnificent setting, and a clear view over the sanctuaries and the castle, and with the Pyrenees as a back-drop. It is close to all the shops and cafes, you can reach the town quickly on foot. The guest house is particularly comfortable with home cinema TV, DVD, video games, a library and a piano. There two terraces with garden furniture, private parking for 4 cars. Your guest house has 4 spacious bedrooms overlooking the town of Lourdes with a view over the sanctuaries and the castle. Your Aspin bedroom, on the first floor of the villa (no lift), spacious, has a south-facing balcony with a view over the sanctuaries and the Pyrenees. It has a 180 cms double bed. The bathroom has an Italian style shower and a bath, the stained glass window comes from an ancient chapel. Separate toilet. Air conditioning, wi-fi, tea and coffee making facilities.

Where?

The Pic du Midi cable-car, easy access to the highest summits! Take the Pic du Midi cable car for a spectacular voyage to the summit at 2877 metres, where 600 m2 of viewing terraces await, marvel at the 360 degree panorama over the whole of the Pyrenees, the plains of the south west and even the Massif Central. The Pic du Midi also houses a famous astronomical observatory, a star museum (the highest museum in Europe) which explains the history of this exceptional site and the exploration of the universe.

The Pic du Midi cable-car, easy access to the highest summits! Access to the summit is by cable car. From La Mongie the ascension takes 15 minutes. During the ascent the countryside will reveal its secrets little by little. At the summit the magnificent viewing terraces offer an exceptional panorama.

Visit to the highest Museum in Europe. Since 1880 has been an important stellar observatory. The museum retraces the human history from the construction of the observatory to its work, the stars, the sun, the milky way…

The Cirque de Gavarnie, a World Heritage site The most famous and the most spectacular natural cirque... 50 million years ago in the Pyrenees water and glacial erosion created a number of natural ‘cirques’ with a remarkable perfection. Gavarnie is the most famous and the most spectacular. With 16 summits of over 3000 metres and the highest waterfall in Europe it possesses a magnificent beauty. The natural spectacle it offers is remarkable. This once hidden area «resembles nothing that is found anywhere else» wrote Victor Hugo. Adjoining the great canyons of Aragon in Spain it is part of the «Gavarnie - Mont Perdu» World Heritage site.

The Cirque de Gavarnie, a World Heritage site Access to the Cirque de Gavarnie. Classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Gavarnie is the most famous natural arena in the world. From Gavarnie village the view to the Cirque is breathtaking. An easy footpath which can be followed on foot or horseback leads to the Hotellerie at the Cirque, at the foot of the walls which reach over 3000m and close to the Grande Cascade, the waterfall has a drop of 432 metres.

Access to the Cirque de Troumouse. Gavarnie’s neighbour, adjoining Mont Perdu, Troumouse is equally a UNESCO World Heritage site. Having a diameter of 6 km Troumouse is the largest. The statue of the virgin which dominates the Cirque offers an easy walk and gives a fine perspective over the Cirque.

Visit to Millaris. The Cirques Information centre. This information centre and museum offers a complete panoramic history of the glaciated Cirques of Gavarnie, Troumouse and Estaubé : a discovery of mythical landscapes, the importance of water, agriculture, pastoralism, and also the World Heritage Sites.

Cauterets and Pont d'Espagne : at the heart of the Pyrenees National Park From the village of Cauterets a number of very pleasant footpaths offer the visitor the possibility of escaping into the middle of a remarkable natural world - dense forests, waterfalls, rushing streams, mountain lakes, flower filled meadows. There is much flora and fauna to be observed, look out for the Isard, which is heavily protected here. Despite its distance from the Spanish border Pont d’Espagne owes its name to the fact that it is on an ancient mule route across the border. It is a remarkable site of a great natural beauty and is one of the most visited in the Pyrenees.

Cauterets and Pont d'Espagne : at the heart of the Pyrenees National Park Access to Pont d’Espagne. Access is by a good road from Cauterets with ample parking. In the very heart of the National Park it is not uncommon to see Isard and Marmots. Take a walk along the banks of the many mountain streams, take in the wonderful scenery from the shade of a mountain pine.

The Puntas and Lac de Gaube cable cars. Both give access to Lac de Gaube which during the last century so inspired the greatest French poets (Victor Hugo, Baudelaire), who came to admire this majestic place, dominated by the Vignemale and its eternal snows.

Lourdes, a centre of spirituality Cosmopolitan, magical and mythical… Lourdes is one of those extraordinary other worldly places. Each year more than 6 million visitors from more than 140 countries visit Lourdes. It was in 1858 in this small mountain town that a young girl called Bernadette saw 18 separate apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a cave close to the river. It is the second most visited town in France after Paris, but Lourdes possesses a calm and tranquillity to offer a place of prayer, charm and legend which leaves nobody insensitive.

Lourdes, a centre of spirituality The sanctuaries. In 1857 the Virgin Mary made 18 apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous, at the Massabielle grotto. Since then the sanctuaries have received millions of visitors of all nationalities and all faiths. This «Universal» site is accessible 24h / 24h and throughout the year welcomes visitors from the world over. Things to see : the Massabielle Grotto, the Basilica (Immaculate Conception, the underground Basilica Pius 10th, Our Lady of the Rosary, in the form of a cross), the crypt, the St Bernadette church, the Adoration tent, the Reconciliation Chapel and the exterior stations of the cross. Not to be missed is the torchlight procession which takes place every evening at 9pm from April to October.

A Visit to the Castle. Classed as a historical monument, it played a major part in Lourdes history during the 11th and 12th centuries. Since 1921 it houses a Pyrenean museum, one of the 'Museums de France', it possesses one of the most important collections on the history of the French and Spanish Pyrenees (costumes, furniture, rituals, agriculture, pastoralism, artisans...). The + are the wonderful botanical gardens on its terrace.

The Pic du Jer funicular railway. Easily recognised by the cross at the summit, the Pic du Jer towers over the town of Lourdes and offers a magnificent panorama over the Pyrenees. The +: Access is by funicular railway, the summit which is at 1000m of altitude is then easily reached in just a few minutes.

Balnea, your spa centre On the edge of the lake and facing the mountains, the Balnea Spa immerses you in a universe of raw beauty and rafinement. The spa waters are naturally warm, the inspiration comes from afar, and the relaxation techniques are varied.

With the Roman area Let yourself go in a world of wellbeing. A lagoon of thermal water, massage jets and swan neck jets, musical baths, Jacuzzi baths, hamman, heated benches… the dome with its glass facades bathes the spa ina wonderful natural light and offer magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.

With American Indian area This space is perfect for families. Geysers, swimming against the current, waterfalls, Jacuzzis, water beds… All beneath the watchful eye of the totem poles.

With the Onsen area Treat yourself to a taste of Japan. 3 outside pools at between 33 and 40 degrees with splendid views over the mountains, a Japanese zen garden, a Japanese pavilion with Tai Chi and breathing exercises, 2 saunas with dramatic mountain views.

With the Tibetan area Peace and calm, this space is dedicated to the face and body. Mountain treatments using Arnica, massages with warm sesame seed oil and Tibetan bowls, Thai foot massage and Taiko yoga, traditional Indian massage.

In the Inca area, families can enjoy outdoor pools where the waters are at 37C, in a sumptious decor of bamboo, temples and statues which transports you to Latin America, all to the backing of Peruvian pipe music. Swimming against the current, jacuzzis, massage jets, and even a beach of stones to take a snow bath in winter... the pure pleasures of warm waters in a delightful and surprising setting.

With the restaurant Wellbeing is also on your plate, well balanced, healthy and natural.

The legendary Cols The , the Aspin, the Tourmalet and the Soulor. From east to west you will cross the ‘four giants’ of the . From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean the route des cols allows you to discover the very best scenery of the Pyrenees, a brilliant and spectacular traverse.

The Tour de France route The Tourmalet, Aspin, and Peyresourde mountain passes… the "Routes des Cols" follows these legendary Tour de France climbs as it meanders from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The itinerary is signposted and way-marked throughout its length allowing the traveller to easily follow what is a splendid and spectacular route. From Hendaye to Cerbere, along the entire length of the Pyrenees,from mountain passes to valleys, the itinerary holds many surprises : The Grand Sites of the Pyrenees, superb mountain scenery, protected sites, charming villages, a warm welcome awaits in every valley… Each region traversed has its own particularities and its own range of activities, with wonderful local dishes to be savoured, secret little corners to be explored...

The Pyrenees National Park A wonderful concentration of fauna and flora, home to more than 160 endemic plant species, the empire of the Isard and the Lammergeyer, the great vulture of the Pyrenean summits... the Park offers an invitation to discover this fabulous natural history. Way-marked trails help the visitor discover its scenery, its preserved bio-diversity..

The Pyrenees National Park Touching nature Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park covers six high mountain valleys on the frontier with Spain - the valleys of Aure, Bareges, Cauterets, Azun in the Hautes Pyrenees and the Bearnais valleys of Ossau and Aspe. It has a central surface area (45700 hectares inhabited), at over 1000 m of altitude where the park looks after an exceptional biodiversity. The Park also looks after a periphery zone of 206352 ha. where it attempts to reconcile the human activities of the 86 villages with the protection of the flora and fauna. The Pyrenees National Park possesses the most original flora in Europe : 160 endemic species (Ramonda, a throwback to the tertiary period, Fritillaries, Saxifrages) and a remarkable fauna ( Isard, Lammergeyer, Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture), which can easily be observed. The many way-marked walking trails in the Park allows visitors to immediately immerse themselves in this mountain environment, from the easiest of walks to the Pyrenees High Route which follows the border ridge from east to west.

Budget:

From 260 € /person. Based on 2 persons

The price includes: 3 nights in 4 and 3 star hotels and 3 star Clévacances chambre d’hotes, B&B - 1 ‘Grands Sites’ pass to Pic du Midi + Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne - 1 entry (2 hrs) to Balnéa Spa - Booking fee.

The price does not include: Cancellation insurance – Lunches – Local taxes.

Validity: Summer 2015

Between us:

We have selected some very good restaurants for your lunches and dinners. From fine dining establishments to those offering typical local cuisine, something for every taste. Day 1: Lunch at “La Table de Saoussas”, Loudenvielle: dishes featuring local produce. Dinner at “La Grange” at Saint-Lary: delicious cuisine which promotes local produce. Day 2: Lunch at the Pic du Midi restaurant where original dishes featuring local produce are served at an altitude of almost 3,000 metres. Dinner at the Hotel-Restaurant “La Brèche de Roland” in Gedre: a family atmosphere and delicious cuisine. Day 3: Lunch at “L’Hôtellerie du Lac de Gaube”: accessible by cable-car and chairlift, on the banks of the lake, facing the Vignemale massif. For dinner there is a choice: - “The Magret” in Lourdes: seasonal cooking, all prepared using the best quality local produce ; “L’Alexandra” in Lourdes: tasty cuisine in a cosy setting ; the “Da Marco” pizzeria in Lourdes: an genuine institution in the rue de la Grotte.