Page 196 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

194 BACK ROADS FRANCE

The Pyrenees: End to End

The mountains of the Pyrenees form a neat line across
southern France, limited to the east and west by the
Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts respectively. This drive
runs the length of the chain, from shore to shore, from
French Catalonia to the Pays Basque, staying as close to the
highest mountains as possible. In doing so, it climbs over
many passes, most offering spectacular views. Innumerable
detours are possible on the way, ranging from stiff upland
walks to more leisurely explorations of the towns and
villages of the foothills.

Côte Peyrehorade
Basque Biarritz Bayonne
Orthez
Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne
ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ ESPELETTE Salies-
de-Bearn
Ascain St- Pau-
LA RHUNE Itxassou Palais PYRÉNÉES Pyrénées
Sare Louhossoa ATLANTIQUE Pau HAUTES-
Mauléon- Cardesse
AINHOA Licharre Tarbes PYRÉNÉES
St-Jean- Oloron- Lasseube Tournay
le-Vieux Ste-Marie
Mendive Lannemezan
ST-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT Escot Lourdes
Lourdios- Bielle VALLÉE PIC DU Bagnères-de-Bigorre
Larrau D’OSSAU Argelès-
Col de Bagargui Ichère Sarrance MIDI DE
Gazost
Bedous BIGORRE Ste-Marie-de-Campan
ÉGLISE DE STE-ENGRÂCE Col de
Arette- Labays Laruns ST- Soulom Col d’Aspin Cierp-
Escaroz Pierre- Col d’Aubisque SAVIN La Mongie ARREAU Gaud
St-Martin Fabrèges Cauterets Col du Tourmalet
Isaba Luz-St-Sauveur ST-BÉAT
PONT D’ESPAGNE
Above Stone doorway in St-Jean-Pied-de- PONT NAPOLÉON Col de
Pèyresourde
Port, see p203 Below Horse-drawn cart on
Gavarnie BAGNÈRES-DE-
the streets of Arreau, see p199 LUCHON
CIRQUE DE
Biescas Bielsa
GAVARNIE
Benasque
KEY
Drive route
ACTIVITIES
Swap the car for a bike for a gentle lowland tour or a
rigorous Tour de France mountain pass
Go for a hike along the marked routes in the Pyrenees
Take a cable-car ride up to the heights, the most
sensational being the one to the top of the Pic du Midi
Enjoy a scenic, high-altitude train ride in Catalonia or
up La Rhune in the Basque Country
Relax on the beach at Collioure at the start of the tour,
or St-Jean-de-Luz at the end
Discover the variety of food and drink, particularly
cheeses, along the way