Advice
Purely Pyrenees is based in the French Pyrenees and we offer trips in France and Spain. A huge amount of our customers come from the United Kingdom...
My husband Hugo is crazy for castles. The mere mention of the siege of Montsegur brings tears to his eyes. We both love walking. I’ve wanted to go back to the Pyrenees since walking in the foothills with my aunt, many years ago.
There is a special magic about the Catalan coast, near the border of France and Spain. Far from the crowds and the sandy beaches, this is a wild coast with a fusion of light, wind, sunshine and rock, the brightly painted houses, the exotic plants and the pretty fishing boats have worked together to create the atmosphere that has drawn many a famous artist to the region.
The first thing that usually springs to mind when you think about a passage on foot across the whole of the Pyrenean chain is the famous GR10. This is a trail that runs close to the border between France and Spain, from Hendaye on the Basque Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Catalan Mediterranean coast.
However, the best part of any holiday can sometimes be experiencing something new and a bit different, and if you’ve never stayed in a mountain refuge before then it is really worth putting on your bucket list ! So, what can you expect ?
If you can imagine a harmonious collection of mountains, lakes and valleys, interspersed with lush green meadows, thick forests and crystal clear streams, huge rock walls and beautiful waterfalls, an area with a particular geography and many different microclimates, then you can imagine the National Park of Aiguestortes and the lake Saint Maurice, the Spanish Lakeland.
Where to go in the Pyrenees ? 3 of the Unmissables : the Cirque de Gavarnie (one of the most beautiful places in the Pyrenees), Lourdes (visited by well over five million pilgrims every year) and the Royal Monastery of San Juan de la Peña (a beautiful Monastery) !
We have probably all heard of the Cathars, but do you know who they really were or where they came from ? In fact the Cathars were a religious group that flourished in region of France known as the Languedoc from the 11th Century. One of the most famous of these castles is the Château de Montségur. If you decide on a walking holiday in this area, From Cathar Castles To Mediterranean Collioure, for example, a visit to this castle is an absolute must.
Hiking is an excellent way to keep in shape whilst taking in the beauty of the great outdoors. A powerful cardio workout, hiking can help to lower your risk of heart disease, improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and work many of your major muscle groups all at the same time. It can also, however, be exhausting if you are not ready for it.
Bilbao, set deep in the Basque country, is a truly captivating city in Northern Spain that has been regenerated in recent years to become a cultural hub and a gastronomical delight. With a juxtaposition of old and new on every corner, Bilbao offers Gothic architecture and historical bridges that straddle the River Nervión, nestled next to dazzling new buildings made of titanium, glass and limestone. Quintessentially Spanish, but with its own unique identity, the coastal city of Bilbao is a must-see for anyone looking to experience the real Spain.
With views that extend across the entire Pyrenean Mountain range and far beyond, the Pic Du Midi de Bigorre is one of the most majestic summits in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Standing proud at 2,877 metres above sea level, the mountain is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, high octane sporting events, fine cuisine and a world famous observatory and museum.
Having walked most of the mountain ranges around the world, we always come back to our homeland, and ask : is there a better mountain range in the world for walking than the Pyrenees ? Our answer is invariably no ! Here are some reasons why.
Nobody is able to provide as much support, or have as many human and physical resources available to help if needed.
You can enjoy cycling independently in the Pyrenees anytime between April and early November almost anywhere, but to make the cycling even more comfortable and enjoyable – and enable you to travel further and see more - we offer electric bikes as an option.
Back in 2009, La Balaguère was a founding member of the leading French organisation for responsible tourism.
You can enjoy walking independently in the Pyrenees anytime between April and early November – but not everywhere. However, you can enjoy cycling independently in the Pyrenees anytime between April and early November almost anywhere.
Most of our customers are independent minded people who have been travelling around Europe and the world quite a lot – or a lot ! – over the last few decades on business and holiday. They enjoy several breaks and holidays a year, and like discovering…
Our “Pyrenees” has expanded over the last 30 years. The mountains haven’t moved, but we have explored and enjoyed more adjacent regions – so our “Pyrenees” is anywhere you can just about see the Pyrenees on a clear day - with binoculars !
The Pyrenees are significantly warmer and drier than the Alps – especially in these climate changing days when farmers are introducing irrigation schemes that a few decades ago would have been thought jokes.