Tours in the Pyrenees

HISTORY OF PYRENEES

The Pyrenees are composed of a chain of mountains forming a natural border between Spain and France. It is said that its name comes from mythology and particularly from "Pyrene", the virgin daughter of Bebryx who was taken advantage of by Hercules. After giving birth to a snake,she ran off to the woods in fear of her father's reaction. Hercules who was gone on one of his Labors, found her and in sadness and remorse of what he had done, laid her corpse on the mountains demanding them to join him in his grief and preserve her name throughout ages. The Pyrenees gather both fauna and flora treasures, they also possess remains of prehistorical age and a lot of cultural heritage.

TO VISIT IN THE PYRENEES :

• The Pyrenees National Park
• Bagneres-de-Luchon, the spa town
• Tour de France Classic Climbs
• Starry evenings at the Pic du Midi(only a few dates throughout the year)

GEOGRAPHY

The Midi-Pyrenees region is made of 8 departments: Ariège, Aveyron, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Lot, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. Located in the southwest of France, the Pyrenees are a great skiing spot during winter and cover a large number of thermal resorts and their mountains form a natural border between Spain and France. They are also well known as having legendary climbs of the Tour de France like Col d'Aubisque, Tourmalet and Col d'Aspin.

TOUR DE FRANCE FAMOUS CLIMBS

• Col d'Aubisque :This climb is a great spot for Winter sports, and is known to be a crossing point for cyclists in Summer. It is considered an "hors categorie"climb during the Tour de France, which means that it is a tough climb !
• Col de Tourmalet :This is one of the most famous climbs of the Tour de France since the Pyrenees' introduction to the Tour in 1910, it has been crossed by the Tour 82 times !
• Col d'Aspin :This climb is supposed to be easier than the Tourmalet, it is part of the Tour de France mainly because it is located in the middle of a chain of three road climbs and therefore plays the role of link between them.
• Col de Peyresourde :The Tour de France came accross this climb twice in 2012, this 1569m Col has become a legendary climb on the tour in the Pyrenees.

WHAT GOOD 'STUFF' CAN YOU EAT

• Bayonne Ham (dry ham)
• Magret de Canard and Gesiers-Duck Breast and Gizzards
• Roquefort and Rocamadour Cheeses
• Croustade aux Pommes (apple tart flambeed with the Normandy Calvados or filled with apples and Armagnac-soaked prunes) Piperade Basque (spicy sauce)

PYRENEES FESTIVAL AND EVENT INFO

• Sacred music festival in Lourdes-Early April
• Fourcès Flower Market- End of April
• Alors... Chantes!-Montauban-Early May
• International Festival of Art in Toulouse; Early May
• Cahors Blues Festival, in Cahors-July
• Medieval Festivals of the Grand Fauconnier, in Cordes-sur-Ciel-July
• Tour de France-July
• Circa Circus Festival, in Auch-End of October, Beginning of November

5 MAIN REASONS TO DISCOVER THE PYRENEES

• Classic Climbs of the Tour de France-The Pyrenees has the most legendary climbs of the Tour de France, introduced to the tour in 1910, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourdre but also Aubisque are famous climbs that you will be able to challenge on our cycling tour.
• The beautiful view from the Pic du Midi-The view from the Pic du Midi is breathtaking, with a height of 2876 meters, it is the highest observatory in Europe. Starry Evenings are planned at the Pic du Midi only a few dates throughout the year, astonomy activities are programmed during these special nights.
• Pyrenees Natural Park and Natural Thermal Spa-Discover the beauty of the French Pyrenees by visiting the Pyrenees Natural Park with its amazing landscapes, preserved fauna and flora spread on 100km. There are six valleys, each of them having their own personality:
• Aspe Valley surrounded by forests
• Ossau Valley well-known to be an important site of pastoralism
• The Val d'Azun or Arrens Valley with its impressive Pic du Balaïtous
• Cauterets Valley with its gorgeous waterfalls
• Luz-Gavarnie Valley spectacular cirque walls
• Aure Valley and Néouvielle Nature Reserve which possess the highest pines in Europe.
• Natural Thermal Spa- In Pyrenees, there are many natural thermal spas allowing relaxing activities in a unique environment. For example, Aquensis in Bagneres-de-Bigorre offers a 'Donkey's milk' bath as Cleopatra used to like, where you can experience the benefits of donkey's milk in a private spa bath.
• Lourdes -Lourdes has become a symbolic place and a major place of pilgrimage and is said to make miracles as spectacular healings. The Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous numerous times in Lourdes in 1858 which created the belief of a sacred place. Every season, many tourists and pilgrims come to Lourdes, they can be as many as 5,000,000 this is why Lourdes is the second city with the biggest number of hotels, right behind Paris.
• Toulouse -Toulouse is a city located in southern France and is called "la ville rose"(the pink city) due to the color of its buildings. It has two UNESCO World Heritage sites which are the Canal Du Midi and the Basilica of St. Sernin because of its link to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. Toulouse offers a great diversity of activities, as in museums like the Contemporary Art Museum which delivers works by many reknown artists , or monuments dating from the Golden Age of the pastel trade.Be sure not to miss the Capitole with its rich history and culture during your visit.