With the end of the lockdown, you will no longer need a duly justified Exceptional Travel Certificate to leave your home. However, Edouard Philippe has announced that travel beyond a 100-kilometer radius from home must be justified by a compelling reason, whether family or professional. This requirement isn't so difficult to comply with, as the Hautes-Pyrénées and neighboring departments are full of sites to visit and cities to explore. Here are some suggestions for a weekend getaway less than 100 kilometers from Tarbes.
Spend the weekend in the Aure Valley
After spending nearly two months in lockdown, we have an irrepressible desire for wide open spaces and to enjoy the Pyrenees beckoning us. For example, by going to the Louron Valley, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful valleys in the Pyrenees, with Lake Loudenvielle nestled among the Pyrenean peaks. Or in the Aure Valley by going to Saint-Lary and its streets that embody what you expect from a mountain village. Book a hotel in Saint-Lary.
The Val d'Azun or Cauterets, beautiful invitations to go for a hike
Further west, the Gaves Valley also offers beautiful getaways. In the Val d'Azun, with the superb Lac d'Estaing, and up towards Cauterets, there's a wide range of trails suitable for those with hiking boots. Book a hotel in Cauterets.
Gavarnie, one of the largest sites in the Pyrenees
The Gavarnie Cirque, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 as part of the Pyrenees-Mont Perdu complex, is a 6 km-wide natural cirque nestled in the Pyrenees National Park on the northern slope of the ridgeline marking the border with Spain. It is surrounded by peaks, often as high as 3,000 meters, from east to west: Petit Astazou, Pic du Marboré, Pic Brulle, Pic de la Cascade, Époule du Marboré, Tour du Marboré, and Casque du Marboré, which is the highest point in the Gavarnie Cirque at 3,248 meters above sea level. The bottom of the cirque, where the Hôtellerie is located, is around 1,570 meters. The walls reach a height of nearly 1,500 meters, in three successive levels separated by less inclined benches. It is a must-see site in the Hautes-Pyrénées and one of the best starting points for exploring the mountains by hiking in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. Book a hotel in Gavarnie.
Spend the weekend on the banks of the Adour River
But the richness of the Hautes-Pyrénées isn't limited to the south of the department. The Adour Valley offers a different side of the department, with its Madiran vineyards. You can start at Château Montus in Castelnau-Rivière-Basse and continue through the village of Madiran to Château de Crouseilles, Château Aydie, or Château d'Arricau-Bordes. All of these invite you to discover a region that combines the pleasures of wine, duck, and superb landscapes of valleys and hills.
Spend the weekend in Pau
A city steeped in history, a lively city, and a pleasant place to explore—there are many ways to enjoy Pau. The Château de Pau and its surrounding neighborhood offer a glimpse into the richness of Pau's past, marked by the birth of the future Henry IV in 1553. Pau during the Belle Époque, with its flourishing architecture, casino, funicular, and baths, born from the influx of British tourists coming to the southwest to spend the winter. A beautiful and pleasant city to explore, combining the panoramic view of the mountains offered by Boulevard des Pyrénées with the lively streets of the center. A great weekend in perspective. To book a hotel in Pau.
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