Gascony and the Pyrenees - With Toulouse

Written by expert travel-writers with more than 40 titles to their name, Bradt's Gascony & the Pyrenees is the only current English-language guide to the entirety of this fascinating, relatively under-visited and consequently affordable region of southwest France. Offering advice on where to stay and eat with what to do and see, this new guide provides everything you need for an enjoyable, fulfilling visit.

In Gascony, everyone can find their own adventure. Surfers can ride Atlantic waves at Hossegor and Mimizan. Sun-seekers can loll on the Landes' beaches, then stretch their legs by climbing Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat. Hikers can trek high into the Pyrenees to gawp at majestic cirques, while those less energetic can go on a donkey-back. Families can bike along numerous backways, while cycling buffs cheer on the professionals during the Pyrenees stage of the Tour de France.

Activity enthusiasts aside, the region will delight anyone who craves a slower-paced holiday in beautiful natural landscapes. Culture buffs can linger in the coastal art havens of Collioure, Port- Vendres and Céret, or discover Palaeolithic cave art at Niaux and Le Mas-d'Azil. Pilgrims can follow the path to Lourdes. Fans of the bizarre can visit Salvador Dali's ‘centre of the universe' (Perpignan train station) or La Pourcailhade, the pig festival of Tri-sur-Baïse.

Urbanites can enjoy the splendours of Perpignan, Bayonne, Biarritz and Auch, or take it down a notch at medieval Catalan villages. For quirky retail therapy, shopaholics can browse the espadrilles for which Mauléon is famed or the berets synonymous with Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Gourmets will delight in the quality of local cuisine, from cèpe mushrooms and poulet au pot to a flock of duck-based dishes. Cocooned within quiet, natural settings, yoga practitioners can calm mind and body with various wellness therapies.

And whatever floats your boat, everyone can relax in some of the hundreds of personally recommended places to stay – from charming inns and spas to restored medieval stables, and even the astronomers' dormitories at the Pic du Midi. All conveyed through the intimate expert insights that characterise Bradt's Gascony & the Pyrenees.

List of contents

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History , Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Sports and activities

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health and safety, Women travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with a disability, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Outdoor activities,

Media and communications, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 The Landes

Arcachon and its bassin, Parc Naturel Régional des Landes de Gascogne, Down the Côte d'Argent, Mont-de-Marsan, Down the Adour, Saint-Sever and the Chalosse, Dax, The southern Côte d'Argent, Capbreton-Hossegor

Chapter 4 The Gers

Auch Eauze and Armagnac country, Condom and around, Lectoure and around, East of Auch, South of Auch: the Astarac

Chapter 5 The Pays Basque

Basque cultur, Getting there and away, Getting around, Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Côte Basqu, The Labourd interior: around La Rhune, The valley of the Nive, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, The

Haute-Soul

Chapter 6 Béarn

Salies-de-Bearn and the Gave de Pau, Orthez, Pau, North of Pau: the Vic-Bilh, Oloron-Sainte-Marie and around, The Vallee d'Ossau

Chapter 7 The Hautes-Pyrénées

Lourdes, Tarbes, The Lavedan Valleys, To the Cirque de Gavarnie and around, Bagneres, the Pic du Midi and the Baronnies, The Lannemezan Plateau, The Vallee d'Aure and Vallee du Louron, The Comminges: Montrejeau

to Saint-Beat, The Upper Comminges: Bagneresde-Luchon, Saint-Gaudens and the Petites Pyrenees

Chapter 8 The Ariège and Andorr

The western Ariege: the Couserans, East of Saint-Girons and the lower Ariege, Foix, East of Foix: Montsegur and Mirepoix, Tarascon-sur-Ariege, Up the Ariege: Ax-les-Thermes and around, Andorra

Chapter 9 Roussillon: the Pyrénées-Orientale

Perpignan Northern Roussillon, Down the coast from Perpignan, Collioure and the Cote Vermeille, Up the Conflent Valley, The Cerdagne, The Vallespir

Chapter 10 Toulouse

History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat

and drink, Entertainment and nightlife Shopping, Sports and activities Other practicalities, What to see and do

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Information

Index

About the author

By Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls - With James Taylor

Summary

Travel guide to Gascony and the Pyrenees (France). Expert advice and travel information covers hotels, cuisine, art havens, beaches, mountains, hiking, cycling, surfing, wellness therapies and cave art. Features Toulouse, Perpignan, Bayonne, Biarritz, Auch, Mimizan, Dune du Pilat, medieval Catalan villages, Niaux, Le Mas-d'Azil and the Landes.

Foreword

. Written by expert and locally resident travel-writers who have authored 40-plus guides
. Features a wide area of southwest France, including Gascony, Toulouse and the whole Pyrenees
. Deep and broad coverage: culture, landscapes, walking, surfing and cycling
. Encourages quirky tourism: stay in astronomers' dormitories, shop for espadrilles and berets, or climb Europe's tallest sand dune

About Bradt Travel Guides
. Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independent guidebook publisher in the UK with over 200 titles in print
. Serial winner of the Gold award for Best Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
. Bradt guides are written by authors who really know their destinations. Many are resident there, or have been visiting regularly over a number of years
. Each new Bradt guide is backed by a dedicated press and social media campaign

Product details

• Authors: Dana Facaros, Dana Pauls Facaros, Facaros Dana, Michael Pauls, Pauls Michael
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.08.2023
• EAN: 9781784779177
• ISBN: 978-1-78477-917-7
• No. of pages: 400
• Series: Bradt Travel Guides
• Subjects: Travel > Travel guides > Europe; France, Toulouse, Perpignan, Landes, Mountains, Travel & holiday guides, TRAVEL / Europe / France, Dune du Pilat, Beaches, Travel and holiday guides, Gascony, cave art, Gascony and Pyrenees travel guide