active
pyrenees
is based at Generest, a little village in the foothills of the
very heart of the Pyrenean mountain range. It lies within the
Haute Pyrenees just on the border with the Haute Garonne, close
to Bagnères de Luchon and almost equidistant from the Mediterranean
and Atlantic coasts. The Pyrenees mountain range stretches for
over 400km and forms the natural frontier between France and Spain.
The Eastern Pyrenees have become famous lately due to their connection
to the Holy Grail.
The Pyrenees are known the world over for the
Famous Tour de France climbs that cross the legendary Pyrenean
passes of Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde and Portillon. (Peyresourde
is the site of one of our local ski stations). It is a region
of rare tranquillity, pristine breathtaking scenery and untamed
natural beauty that mass tourism has not touched, all qualities
that make it a perfect destination for your activity holidays
in the Pyrenees, France |
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The
French Pyrenees are welcomingly green and lush in comparison to
the sun baked Spanish side and have endless mountains and valleys
to explore. From Bagnères de Luchon alone you can access
4 valleys; Vallée de la Pique, Vallée du Lys, Vallée
d’Oô (famous for it’s 273m waterfall) and Val
d’Esquierry (noted for it’s abundant Alpine Flora).
The famous coast to coast way-marked route the GR10 winds its
way through this section of the mountain range.
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If
you want to see the true France, a holiday with active
pyrenees will not disappoint. The way of life, the local
food (known as “terroir”) and the buildings all reflect
the areas long history. Ancient pastoral traditions are still
alive in this region today.
Farmers from the valleys employ the customs of the collective
use of grazing land, which are sometimes many centuries old and
shepherds are employed to tend to the herds of sheep in the mountains.
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A
local village, St Bertrand de Comminges, has a remarkable Catherdral
with a magnificently restored great Renaissance organ. The village
has gained recognition for its beauty and authenticity having
received the illustrious award of “One of the most Beautiful
Villages in France.” At its feet lie the remains of Lugdunum,
the ancient town founded by Pompée. It also boasts as its
neighbour the Romanesque-style basilica "Saint Just de Valcabrère"
built during the 12th century.
A stone’s throw away are the Grottes de Gargas caves. First
discovered in 1575 the caves contain paintings of animals and
of strange mutilated handprints, probably as a result of ritualistic
practices.
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The
Pyrenees is an area renowned for it’s richness of plant and
animal life. Of the 107 species of mammals in France, 75 live in
the Pyrenees. The National Park Service acts to protect species
and has saved the Isard (a small deer like animal related to the
chamois) from extinction after years of over-hunting. Isards like
altitude and can sometimes be seen darting across empty ski pistes
early in the morning.
The Marmot, a large herbivorous rodent has successfully been reintroduced
to the Pyrenean valleys. It is the animal most commonly encountered
by visitors to the mountains and can be identified by its shrill
whistle.
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Brown
bears from Slovenia have also been released into the mountains in
an effort to create a sustainable breeding population. Genetically
very close to Pyrenean brown bear (another victim of over zealous
hunting) this reintroduction has proved a controversial and emotive
issue.
Birds of prey are plentiful here and are a common sight in the countryside;
the area is home to vultures, kites and falcons. In fact, you can
watch kites circling in the thermals as you relax by the swimming
pool!
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Pyrenean
flora is rich and the different levels of vegetation are very visible
in the landscape.
Due to the relative isolation of the Pyrenees from other mountain
ranges many plants have evolved in isolation over a long time and
have progressively changed to adapt to the ecological conditions.
There are 160 endemic plants present in the Pyrenees.
The Pyrenees have also earned the well deserved title of the Flower
Garden of Europe due to the abundance of alpine plants.
During the spring and summer the hills are covered with various
wild flowers including crocuses, blue gentian, Pyrenean lilies,
common rockroses, yellow monkshood and columbine flowers.
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| For
more information please contact CHRIS CULLEN: |
| Phone |
01460
234561 |
| Mobile |
07831
397532 |
| email |
chris@otterhomes.co.uk |
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