Surroundings: Activities to do, places to see, to ski and to eat

You may be in the mountainous countryside but there is much to enjoy, a great variety of things, for both old and young.

THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT BERTRAND DE COMMINGES...

...is on the road of Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Dating from the 11th and 14th centuries, the Cathedral of Saint Bertrand is surrounded by charming old streets with art craft shops. It is one of the most beautiful medieval villages of France. You will hear the organ during the weekly mass or a special concert offered in July and August festivals.

The VIA ROMANA...

...which can be admired from the cloisters, will lead you to the excavations and fortifications of the ancient Roman city not far from the Basilica of Saint Just de Valcabrere. This is a jewel of ancient Roman Art. In Lugdunum, you may experience Roman food from ancient recipes.

The MAISON DES SOURCES

In Mauléon Barousse is a museum dedicated to the history of pre-historic life by the inhabitants of the Barousse valley to the present day. There is also an eco-museum on the geology, water networks in the mountain streams and rivers.

The ruins of the castle of BRAMEVAQUE

Ruled by the Comtes de Comminges with its tower and its legends.

The GORGE OF SAÔULE..

...with cascades and natural pools. You just park your car on the verge and follow the path down. The children - and the dog! – will love it.

Numerous small LOCAL CHURCHES...

...some of them with frescos from the Russian artist Nicholas Grechny.

The prehistoric CAVES OF GARGAS

Very interesting to see and explore. Guided tours are available in English as well as French.

BAGNÈRES DE LUCHON

A spring water city and ski resort. Luchon offers a weekly outdoor market with amazing local produce and crafts. After you can enjoy a coffee in the outdoor restaurant in the square with the locals catching up on gossip. There are numerous activities including thermal baths, a swimming pool and parasailing.

SAINT LARY de SOULAN

GROTTES A BETTERHAM

ARAN PARK

This is a wonderful outdoor Zoo that gives the animals plenty of room. You simply drive to Luchon and then follow the Col de Portillon road, up and over into Spain and, on the descent, you will find the Zoo on your right-hand side.

VAL d’ARAN

Just across the border in Spain. A Spanish enclave, near the source of the Garonne river. It's an attractive mountainous valley offering low and high-altitude hiking opportunities. There is the possibility to do tours of the old picturesque villages and their churches, unique in architecture and character. Afterwards you could enjoy some shopping in Vielha or Bossost where you will also find many great restaurants and tapas bars. At Les you can relax in the thermal spa.

Lac St.Pé d’Aspet

The FERME PEDAGOGIQUE

The farm is right on our door step. Descend to the Salle des Fetes, turn left on the lane and follow it for less than half a mile and you will come to it on your left-hand side. All the animals that have ever been domesticated are there.

Sporting Activities

ALL THE ACTIVITIES IN ONE … well, almost.

PYRENEES HO

This is a must for all the young … as well as for those not so young. All the children, teenagers and adults we know who have been there have loved it.

WALKS AND HIKES

Our Gite is a great starting point for leisurely walks through the lower villages and woodlands. And with only a modest car drive you have quick access to high altitude hikes in the mountains, to lakes and summits with expansive views. If you are a keen walker you must go to the Hospice de France, and to the Lac d’O and you can climb to the top of the Pic du Gar – the mountain you look at from the front of the Gite.

CYCLING

For cyclists, riders will appreciate numerous cols to attempt: we are close to the challenge of Port de Balès – “19 kms of delight” is the strap line - made famous by the Tour de France. There are many cycling options with a network of small quiet roads or off-road tracks for mountain biking. And there is the far more gentle and delightful cycle pathway along the River Garonne for those happier riding a ‘Sit up and Beg’ bike.

SWIMMING

You will not find a more beautiful outdoor setting for a swimming pool in the whole of France. Reserve de la Pique, Luchon Tel: 05.61.79.20.97

FISHING, HUNTING AND MUSHROOMING...

...are very popular activities in season. For trout fishing Tel: 06.14.13.52.92 www.fede.peche31.com

HORSE RIDING

TENNIS

The court could not be closer – right by the Salle des Fetes – and it is free.

RAFTING and KAYAKING

kayak, adventure sports with accro-branches at pyrénées-Ho available.

CLIMBING

There is an internal wall to climb in Luchon. You can climb the outside rock face at Pyrenees Ho, and, at Troubat, there is a rock face for amateur and professional rock climbers

PARAPENTE/PARAGLIDING

www.pyrenees-parapente.fr

FLYING

How about flying across and landing on isolated mountain tops? www.aerosport-pyrenees.com and www.aeroluchon.fr

ARCHERY

From April to October Tel: 06.84.45.03.86 www.tiralarc-pyrenarc-luchon.com

GOLF

Route de Montauban, Luchon www.golf-luchon.net and MINI-GOLF : Reserve de la Pique, Luchon Tel : 05.61.79.03.03

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Restaurants

You may be in the mountains, but you would be wrong to think there are no restaurants.  Indeed, there are several lovely local restaurants: here are some we have tried and enjoyed.

Beware that, in France, just about every restaurant closes on a Monday. And please note: the information below is the best we have at the time of writing. But things can change fast in the restaurant world. So, do check on-line for details like opening days and hours.

La Ferme d’Espiau

Delightful mountain [alt 1100m] restaurant. On the Route du col de Peyresourde, going West from Luchon, in a little village called BILLIERE

Tel: 05.61.79.69.69 www.restaurant-luchon.com

La Grange de Cires

Another in a delightful mountain setting [alt 1306m]. The restaurant is in the tiny village of CIRES

Tel: 05.61.95.05.67 lagrangedecires@yahoo.com

Les Hauts Paturages

And a third lovely mountain restaurant [alt 1250m] that looks down onto Luchon from the village of ARTIGUE. The view from the restaurant is superb. That said, the drive up the mountain is pretty but scary for some!

Route des Troupeaux, ARTIGUES 31,110   Tel: 05.61.79.10.47

Lou Casteu

Close by – just 5 kms- a very welcoming, inexpensive family restaurant. You can always get something for the children.

Off the main road to Luchon, at the round-about at Pradettes, CIERP-GAUD Tel: 05.61.94.35.40

Hotel-Restaurant Les Pyrenees

A welcoming restaurant, next to a delightful cascading river in a charming village setting: Place Palouman, MAULEON-BAROUSSE Tel: 05.62.39.23.27

Er Occitan

This is a rather special restaurant – and why not a trip to Spain? It is not far. Contemporary, excellent cuisine, if a little more expensive.

Carrer Major 66, BOSSOST Tel: 0034.973.64.73.66

Chez Simone

A very popular traditional French restaurant, with a terrace that has stunning views. Their Sunday speciality is a Poule au Pot. The lady Simone has now retired but the warm, friendly ambiance is maintained. It is indeed popular so always ensure you book in advance. The opening days and hours vary with the season.

SAINT-BERTRAND de COMMINGES Tel: 05.61.94.91.05

Bistro Gourmand Chez Martine

Chez Martine used to be in Saint Bertrand de Comminge but has now moved to a lovely riverside setting just below the village of AVEUX Tel: 06.27.29.08.63

Le Citron Bleu

The ideal restaurant for lunch on a Monday – after you have been to the local Monday market in Montrejeau. It is open Monday to Friday and only at lunch time. It has been going since 2007 and has an excellent reputation, friendly [we were able to take our dog under the table] and inexpensive.

8 rue du Barry, 31210 MONTREJEAU Tel: 05.61.89.08.38

La Table

This restaurant is run by two ladies who enjoy a good reputation from having previously successfully run a restaurant in the village of Melles. They are now established in the lower part of SAINT BERTRAND DE COMMINGES, in the ville-basse. The square provides a delightful setting. Opening days and times are limited: be sure to ring in advance. Tel : 06.70.80.32.67

Le Lova

A quality restaurant that used to be known as Baluchon. A restaurant that serves meals of a high quality.  It is a little more expensive, but you can’t go wrong here on the quality of the cuisine. In that sense it is continuing the reputation of Le Baluchon but is now more relaxed and friendly.. . One can eat outside and enjoy a rather lovely village setting. Or one can eat inside: the décor inside may not be to everyone’s taste, but the food is superb.It is now open far more than its predecessor..

12 Avenue du Maréchal Foch, BAGNERES-de-LUCHON.  Tel: 05.61.88.91.28

Le Bistrot des Allées, Luchon

This is to be found in the main promenade in Luchon.  A friendly, inexpensive but good quality restaurant. The owners are strongly anglophile.  Their daughter is studying Business wholly in English.

30 Allées d’Etigny. BAGNERES-de-LUCHON.   Tel: 05.61.95.58.31

Beau Rivage, Valentine

We very much enjoyed our lunch here.  A quality, respectable ambiance and the food quality lives up to the promise of the surroundings. You can lunch on a shaded terrace when the weather is fine.

Pont de Valentine, 31800 SAINT-GAUDENS.   Tel : 05.61.94.76.70

LOCAL EVENTS

Throughout the year, there are many local fetes and festivals. During the summer months each village will celebrate its own “Fete Locale”, normally held over several evenings. The main annual events are detailed below: