Bordeaux & French Basque Country - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 581

Needless to say, if you're a hiker, biker or skier, or if you're simply a sucker for grand-
stand views, you'll be in seventh heaven in the Pyrenees. Hemmed in by snowy peaks,
Cauterets is a superb summertime base; numerous high-altitude trails leave from the
Pont d'Espagne , reached via the 6.5km switchbacking D920 from Cauterets.
Also, don't miss the dizzying ascent to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre
( www.picdumidi.com ; adult/student/child €25/22/15; daily Feb & Jun-late Sep, closed
last 3 weeks Nov, call for closing days rest of yr) , which affords one of the most eye-pop-
ping panoramas in the entire Pyrenees. A cable car climbs right to the top of the mountain
in around 15 minutes from the ski resort of La Mongie (1800m).
Park visitor centres can be found at Etsaut, Laruns, Arrens-Marsous, Cauterets, Luz-St-
Sauveur, Gavarnie and St-Lary-Soulan. The park's official website, PNR Pyrenees
( www.parc-pyrenees.com ) , is also packed with info.
Getting There & Away
Lourdes has regular train connections, including TGVs to Pau and Paris Mont-
parnasse. Destinations served:
Bayonne €21, 1¾ hours
Paris Montparnasse €89.30, 6½ hours
Pau €7.10, 30 minutes
Toulouse €25.10, two hours