The Hautes-Pyrenees department is located in the very south of France, on the border with Spain. Dominated by the Pyrenees mountains, most visitors to this region are those who enjoy outdoors activities, and sports such as hiking, cycling and even skiing. However, there are plenty of historic towns to visit along with many picturesque traditional mountain villages.
The town of Lourdes is one of the most famous in all of France and is the second most important pilgrimage site for Catholics after Rome itself. Even if you are not religious or seeking a miracle yourself, the town in worth visiting, if only to marvel at how many churches and chapels have been built in one small Pyrenean town. You can still visit the cave where the Virgin Mary is reported to have appeared to worshippers on no less than 18 occasions, while the town’s castle offers a break from the religious onslaught, featuring a museum dedicated to Pyrenean history and a spectacular view over the mountains towards Spain.
The Pyrenees mountains are undoubtedly the main reason to visit this part of France. Whether you are a serious hiker or prefer a gentle stroll, there are hundreds of walking trails to suit all abilities, many passing by some of the following spectacular natural attractions. The marked footpath from the spa town of Cauterets to the Bridge of Spain is one of the easier routes in the area, which still provides walkers with wonderful views of the waterfalls and rivers from an old stone bridge. The walk to the Gavarnie Cirque may be a little more demanding, but it is worth the effort when you reach this outstanding natural amphitheatre, complete with waterfalls and high rocky cliffs. The area can only be reached on foot, or by donkey from one of the local villages, and more experienced walkers can carry on to the top of the Grande Cascade. Going underground, rather than climbing up mountains, the Medous cave in the foothills of the Pyrenees will astound both children and adults. It has some of the most spectacular underground features to be seen in caves accessible to the public, and part of the tour is taken on a boat along an underground river.
Sports fans also enjoy visiting the Pyrenees, whether you’re a hiker exploring the mountains in summer or a skier flying down them in the summer months. There are a number of smaller skiing resorts in the Hautes-Pyrenees area, and the slopes are often quieter and cheaper than in the Alps. Also in the summer the roads through the mountains are often busy with cyclists, following in the footsteps of the professionals who often pass through this region during the Tour de France. In particular, amateur riders may like to challenge themselves with a ride over the steep Tourmalet pass, to see if they can do better than the racers.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Hautes-Pyrenees? Then below is a selection of gites in Hautes-Pyrenees and villas in Hautes-Pyrenees that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
