Overview of stepped farmland and Pinnacle of Pic du Jer.

Matt Munro

The Pyrenees

Spiking the skyline for 430km along the Franco-Spanish border, the snow-dusted Pyrenees offer a glimpse of France’s wilder side. This serrated chain of peaks contains some of the country's most pristine landscapes and rarest wildlife, including endangered species such as the griffon vulture, izard (a type of mountain goat) and brown bear. Since 1967, 457 sq km has been protected as the Parc National des Pyrénées, ensuring its valleys, tarns and mountain pastures are preserved for future generations.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • France, Hautes-Pyrenees, Pic du Midi and Domaine du Tourmalet area in winter

    Pic du Midi

    The Pyrenees

    If the Pyrenees has a mustn’t-miss view, it’s the one from the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2877m). Once accessible only to mountaineers, since 1878 the Pic du…

  • Eentrance of the cave of Niaux.

    Grotte de Niaux

    The Pyrenees

    Most people know about the prehistoric artworks of the Dordogne, but far fewer realise that ancient painters left their mark in caves all across the…

  • Parc Animalier des Pyrénées

    Parc Animalier des Pyrénées

    The Pyrenees

    Around 12km south of Lourdes, off the D821 near Argelès-Gazost, this fantastic animal park is home to many species that were once commonly sighted across…

  • Sanctuaires Notre Dame de Lourdes

    Sanctuaires Notre Dame de Lourdes

    Lourdes

    The spiritual centre of Lourdes is the subterranean grotto where Bernadette Soubirous is believed to have experienced her visions in 1858. From the Porte…

  • Écomusée de la Vallée d’Aspe

    Écomusée de la Vallée d’Aspe

    Parc National des Pyrénées

    Four sites around the valley, collectively known as the Écomusée de la Vallée d’Aspe, explore the area’s heritage and agricultural traditions. There are…

  • Castle of Pau, France.

    Château de Pau

    The Pyrenees

    Originally the residence of the monarchs of Navarre, Pau’s castle was transformed into a Renaissance château amid lavish gardens by Marguerite…

  • Grotte du Mas d’Azil

    Grotte du Mas d’Azil

    The Pyrenees

    Twenty-five kilometres northwest of Foix, near Le Mas d’Azil, this rock shelter is famous for its rich finds of prehistoric tools. Visits are by guided…

  • Rivière Souterraine de Labouiche

    Rivière Souterraine de Labouiche

    The Pyrenees

    Deep beneath the village of Labouiche, 6km northwest of Foix, flows Europe’s longest navigable underground river. Discovered in 1908 by a local doctor, it…

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Train Travel

London to Barcelona: Why you should skip the high-speed service in favor of a night train via Paris

Oct 6, 2023 • 8 min read

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The Pyrenees and beyond

Beyond The Pyrenees
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