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Biarritz
Less than two hours drive, Biarritz is a
vibrant cosmopolitan town with magnificent beaches, golf courses
and numerous sporting facilities, not forgetting the surf. Surfing
started in France here in Biarritz and surfers come from all over
the world to ride the waves. The Biarritz
Surf Festival brings together surfers from Hawaii, California
and Australia every year to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz. |
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Toulouse
Toulouse
centre is an hour away by train or car, excellent for both shopping
and site seeing; a university city with numerous bars and cafes
in the old district. Plane enthusiasts can visit the Airbus
factory at nearby Blagnac. The area is well known for rugby,
and some of the World Cup games in 2007 will be played at Toulouse. |
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Lourdes
Lourdes is a small town in the Pyrenees Mountains near
the border of Spain. Catholics believe that here in 1858 a young
girl named Bernadette was visited 18 times by the Virgin Mary. Over
the Grotto where Mary appeared to Bernadette two large Cathedrals
were erected. There are 21 places of worship in the area and services
are held around the clock in all major languages of the world. |
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Pic du Midi
The Pic
du Midi, at 2887 metres can be seen from the D3 road that La
Pouche is on. It has a weather station on top and can be visited
by cable car from the ski resort of La Mongie. There is a restaurant
and bar at the top, with outstanding 360 degree views including
the 3,000+ metre peaks of Spain. |
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Cycling
Cycling is a major past-time for the French.
Whether you are a keen cyclist or just want to wander through the
beautiful countryside, this is the perfect place.
The Tour de France is a wonderful spectacle each year, especially
when the pelaton is racing through the mountainous roads of the
Pyrenees. In July 2007, the Tour de France will be passing through
Foix, Loudenvielle, Orthez and Pau. |
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Golf
There are a whole range of golf courses in
the Midi Pyrenees, from the flat to the very undulating. See www.golf-midi-pyrenees.com
for more details on golf courses in the Midi Pyrenees. |
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Winter Sports
The ski resorts of St
Lary, La
Mongie, Bagnere
de Luchon and Peyragudes
are all within and hour to an hour and a half of the house. |
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Rambling / Walking
The Pyrenees is a great place for ramblers
and walkers of all levels, marked by the famous GR10 and GR11 running
from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. |
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White Water Rafting
The many rivers that run down from the mountainside provide excellent
white water rafting. Our favourite white water rafting base is at
Fronsac on the road to Luchon, an extremely professional company
that cater for all levels. |
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Para Gliding
Soar over the magnificent peaks and lakes
of the Pyrenees. |
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Caves
There are several caves to visit in the area,
including the Grottes
de Betharram, near Lourdes, where you explore the huge subterranean
caverns by boat and train. |
