Mike & Megan Evans
0033 (0) 562 95 09 17 - 0033 (0) 635 90 30 66
Tour d'France 2008 passing 300m from our gites
This area is renowned for both road and mountain cycling. With many of the routes and cols made famous by the Tour de France it is a great place to test yourself or just enjoy the marvellous scenery. We can advise you on routes to take that will suit your ability as Mike cycles regularly with the local club. If you fancy a challenge why not enter one of the many cycle races held in the area throughout the summer www.velovelo.com and follow the link for Cyclosportives en Midi-Pyrénées. Mountain bikers will find masses of challenging trails including the ultimate thrill of riding down the Pic du Midi. We can arrange bike hire for you and provide safe storage for your bikes. The Bike Bus from the UK drops off at Lourdes 20km away www.bike-express.co.uk
Skiing & winter sports
Ski resorts in the Pyrenees are quieter than the Alps and less expensive. The nearest to us is Grande Tourmalet, the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees which links La Mongie, Bareges and the Pic du Midi together. The ski passes can also include a visit to Aquensis, the thermal spa in Bagnères which is perfect for easing aching muscles! We can pre-arrange your ski hire with a 10% discount at Planet Glisse in La Mongie & we are about an hour from other resorts. There are miles of trails for cross country skiing in Payolle, Bareges and Hautacam or for walking with snow shoes. Other winter activities include sledging, motor sledges, motor scooters and dog sled rides. All the resorts provide ski lessons and these and ski passes can be booked online www.esf.fr www.n-py.com. www.tourmalet.fr
| driving time from Bagneres | km of pistes | Green | Blue | Red | Black | Snow park | Cross country | ||
| Grand Tourmalet www.tourmalet.fr |
25 minutes | 100 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 5 | yes | yes | snow walking |
| Luz Ardiden luzardiden.luz.org |
60 minutes | 60 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 3 | yes | yes | snow walking |
| Cauterets | 50 minutes | 36 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 2 | yes | ||
| Hautecam | 50 minutes | 15 | no | yes | luge, snow walking | ||||
| Payolle | 25 minutes | 50 | 1 | no | yes | snow walking |
In & around Bagnères de Bigorre
Visit the lively market on Saturday for a taste of French life and pick up wonderful fresh local produce. There are a number of museums in Bagneres eg marble, botanical, that are worth a visit as well as caves. The fantastic spa - Aquensis is a must & treat yourself to a massage or facial! Sit and watch the world go by in one of the numerous cafes or have dinner in one of the many restaurants that specialise in regional dishes. Explore the pretty streets and the tempting shops for the shopaholics or try the bigger towns of Tarbes & Pau. Many guests fit in a trip to the impressive sanctuary at Lourdes which have events all summer. There are many walks from the town if you want to leave the car behind or visit the swimming pool and sunbathe in their grounds.
Golf
The 18 hole golf course at Bagnères has magnificent views of the Pyrenees and is a superb location for 9 or 18 holes. There is free access to the putting green situated in front of the new club house. There is a driving range if you want to brush up your technique and clubs can be hired if you don't want to bring yours. Lessons can be booked with the club professional. Other courses near by are Tarbes, Lourdes and Pau - the oldest course in France.
Children's activities
There is no shortage of things for children of all ages to do and these are just a few ideas-swimming, count the different mannequins in the village of Campan and make your own in their workshop, try and beat your parents in the spectacular mini golf course, donkey rides in the pretty valley du Salut, ride the mountain train in Artouste, see Pyrenean animals and feed marmots in Parc Animalier, Argeles Gazost, catch dinner in the fishing farm, if you have a head for heights try accrobranche or vertige de l'Adour, have a go on the luge, open all year at the Hautecam, or visit the caves in Bagnères or Betherram.
Walking
The trails for walking seem endless in this part of the Pyrenees and there is a route to suit everyone's ability. The routes are graded for difficulty and all have an indication of how long they will take. The GR 10 is close by and also the route of St Jaques de Compostelle. We have books and maps to help you choose where you would like to walk. We can also put you in touch with mountain guides if you prefer to have someone accompany you. Short excursions can also be arranged via the tourist office. Places to walk or visit include the Cirque du Gavarnie, a UNESCO world heritage site, Pont d'Espagne which can also be accessed by people with limited mobility via chair lifts, the Pic du Midi.
Festivals
There are festivals throughout the year in this area. They are very varied & most villages have a fete, many have free entertainment for children and are great fun. More information can be found on http://www.le65.com/annuaire/festivals-p1-14.html or http://festivals.midipyrenees.fr/web/2-accueil.php There are music events during the summer in Bagnères many of them in parks with free entry. Also not to be missed are the Madiran wine festival, the Jazz festival at Marciac which attracts top names & Equestria in Tarbes which is free entry on the last day and fascinating even to none horse riders.
Pic du Midi observatory
Artouste railway
Cirque du Gavarnie
Count the Mannequins in Campan
Betherram Caves
Sanctuary at Lourdes
Space Museum at Toulouse
Mini golf at Bagnères
Pyrenean animal park in Argeles
Payolle
Aquensis
We have given you a few ideas of what to see and do below with some links for you to find out more.
Cycling Children's activities
Skiing and winter sports Festivals
In & around Bagnères de Bigorre Golf
Walking Fishing
Horse riding Pic du Midi observatory
Tennis Wildlife
Museums Caves
Rafting Handgliding
Climbing The little train at Artouste
Canoeing Day trips - Spain, Atlantic coast
Flights over the Pyrénées
