Lannemezan

Lannemezan is principally a small market town, but its situation guarantees the vistor some beautfiul scenery and walking routes including 400 hecatres of woodland. There are a dozen restaurants and lots of amenties (bank, post office, doctor etc). It is just over an hour to the ski slopes of St Lary and La Mongie, and there are plenty of streams & rivers for fishing. The River Save and River Baise both have their source in the Plateau de Lannemezan. There are 2 lakes, La Plantade where fishing is possible, and the leisure lake Le Lac de la Demi-Lune where there are pedaloes, ducks and swans to keep the children amused.

Lourdes

Lourdes needs no introduction or explanation. It is one of the world's most famous pilgrimage sites with over 5 million visitors a year and over 200 hotels. In addition to its religious significance, Lourdes and the surrounding area offers a huge range of activities. In Lourdes itself there are 9 musuems, Le Petit Train for touring the area, and nearby, a zoo, the Stud Farm at Tarbes, a kangaroo park, water cure spas, Lourdes Golf Course, white water rafting and 4 adventure parks within 10 km. The surrounding scenery is quite spectacular, and its altitude means that it escapes some of the heat of the lower towns and villages.

Loures-Barousse
A pretty Pyrenean village with beautiful surrounding views. The village hosts an annual cheese making exhibition, and nearby is the Château des Comtes du Comminges. visit the nearby prehistoric caves at Gargas which feature paintings dating back 30,000 years. The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Luz-St-Saveur

Luz St-Saveur is a well known ski station with 21 pistes of varying levels of difficulty, 14 ski lifts and 100 snow cannons. It is on the GR10 walking route and at an altitude of between 1680 and 2500 metres. The ski site covers 110 hectares, and includes snow shoeing and a snowpark. In the village itself is the Luzea Spa Centre which offers hammam, pool, sauna and jacuzzi. There is a Monday market, and a multimedia library in the town, as well as La Maison du Parc National et de la Vallée which holds concerts and exhibitions.

Maubourguet
Maubourguet is a small market town, accessible from Pau airport. There is a municipal swimming pool, a park and four café/restaurants.

Rabestens-de-Bigorre
Not really on the tourist trail, therefore a real French typical village. There is a cattle market, 8 walking/cycling routes, an equestrian centre, tennis courts, boules court and a good selection of shops, cafés and restaurants. The town is situated in the north of the department, in the Vallée de lAdour.

St Lary-Soulan

Plenty to do and see in this typical Pyrenean ski resort. It is situated in the Aure Valley, wth mountain peaks reaching 3092 metres. The Aragnouet-Bielsa Tunnel is 20km away and links the resort to Spain. As well as a good range of ski pistes, there is a Snowpark for children with slides and a toboggan run, 2 ski schools and several ski shops. Nearby activities and visits include the Maison d'Ours (House of Bears), production of foie gras at Vignec (1 km away), Les Mines de Manganèse 2 km away, and Musée de la Vallée d'Aure 6 km away. A little further on at 10 km from the resort are Les Aigles d'Aure (Aure Eagles) which is open from April until mid September. There is also the Sensora Fitness Centre in the village of St Lary Soulan which offers thermal spa treatments.

St Laurent-de-Neste
St Laurent-de-Neste is close to the Nistos ski statio, with 1 green, 2 blue, 4 red and 1 black piste. Ski-shoeing and cross-country skiing are also catered for. There are 8 ski pistes with a range of 50km, and a bar/restuarant at the foot of the slopes. The town has a good range of shops and amenities, including a boulodrome and La Maision de Savoir - a cultural centre with internet access.

St-Pé-de-Bigorre

St-Pé-de-Bogorre started its life in 1022 when monks first built the Abbaye de Saint-Pé-de-Générès. Since that time the town has prospered. It is just ten minutes away from Lourdes and has many sites of interest. A walking tour of the town (leaflets from the Tourist Office) leads you past vestiges of 10 centuries of history. The nearby Gave de Pau river is the location of the training course for the French Canoe & Kayak Ferderation, and as well as canoeing there are mountain climbing and caving opportunities. Within the town is the Exhibition of Pyrenean Artists, which treats a different theme each year, and the Rustic World of the Past Museum, tracing the history of the workers of this region. The nearby Forest of Trescouts covers 2600 hectares.

Tarbes

Tarbes is mostly known for its airport. Flights go from London Stansted, Manchester and Dublin, but the town itself has plenty to offer. It is at the gateway to the Pyrenees National Park and 30 minutes from the ski slopes. Visit the Jardin Massey and its museum, a site covering 11 hectares with numberous species of trees and plants. The Equestrian centre Haras National de Tarbes is open to the public during July & August, with guided visits available in English. Visits last about an hour. The town also has the Musée de la Déportation et de la Résistance, open Monday to Friday with free entry, and the Eglise Saint Jean. In August the town hosts a Latin festival. There are picturesque and colourful markets, including a daily morning market at Halle Brauhauban, a flower market on Thursdays and an evening market at Place Marcadieu in August. The

Tournay

Tournay is an ancient bastide town which dates from 1307. Today it numbers approximately 5000 inhabitants. Visit the Tournay Arboretum which was first created in 1938 and covers an area of 170 hectares. Entry is free. Tournay also has a leisure complex, open on Wednesdays and during the school holidays. It is mainly an agricultural community. Nearby is the Lac de l'Arrêt-Darré, and churches to visit include the Abbaye Notre Dame de Tournay.

Haute Pyrenees Ski Resorts - Val-Louron

Val Louron is not one of the best known resorts but is excellent for families as there are ski runs for beginners and children. The resort is at 1450 - 2100m altitude. There are 5 green, 8 blue, 7 red and 1 black run. There is also a toboggan run for children and five graded slopes. A full range of prices is available, with a family half day at 61 Euros, and 7 days per adult 105 Euros. (Prices as of 2007).