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INTRODUCING A FAMILY APARTMENT IN THE FRENCH |
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HARRSICA, LE BOIS DE MARIE APARTMENTS, BARÈGES.... |
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......ACTIVITIES Acrobranche Après Ski Bungee Jumping Canyoning Cycling Fishing Go-karting
Golf Horse Riding Ice Climbing Motor Sport
Mountain Biking Paragliding
Photography
Skiing
Snowboarding Snowshoeing
Swimming Walking White Water Rafting |
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......ACROBRANCHE |
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New! Exciting!
Unforgettable! Come and play
"TARZAN" in the forest canopy of Luz St Sauveur - 30 feet in the
air. Over 750m of zip lines! The 4 Acrobranche courses guarantee adrenaline
and loads of fun, all set against the backdrop of a lush forest. Very safe and it comes highly
recommended. A secure course adapted
to children from 5-10 years and three levels of difficulty for adults Also make sure you take
some comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. |
The course is open from May
to September or is available anytime upon reservation for a minimum of 10
participants. Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......APRÈS SKI |
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Barèges is nice and quiet out of
the main season, but gets lively during the holiday periods. The village has
several good bars and many hotels, all of which have a public bar. Literally, right on our doorstep is
the very friendly Hotel Du Tourmalet (3*). A completely renovated Napoleonic
building, which combines traditional values of hospitality with modern
facilities including a first class restaurant and café-bar. Further details are available at http://www.hoteldutourmalet.com/ |
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A popular bar in the village is ‘Le
Richelieu’ (on the main street next to the butcher’s). It has a
pool table, table football and shows all of the big games for sports fans on
its big screen. The atmosphere is friendly and pub-like and beer should be
consumed by the 'giraffe' (2.5 litre tube with a tap). |
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For a more homely atmosphere, try
the ‘Isba’ at the top of the street, which serves good home-cooked food and
is very friendly. The nicest restaurant in the village is 'La Rozell' - a
tiny shoebox-like place, but serves amazing food, in particular the traditional fondue and good meat dishes.. Closer
to the resort is ‘La Couquelle' restaurant for rustic local dishes, or 'Chez
Louisette', the original piste restaurant for brilliant mountain food in the
daytime and evenings. A
slight variation on the dining theme, and one of the main events of a holiday
in Barèges, has to be a torchlight descent organized by Ecoloski, from one of
the mountain restaurants. At the end of the day you ski to the restaurant for
drinks and then enjoy a 5 course dinner of local specialities, after which
comes the torchlight descent back to the village. This involves being lead by
an instructor through forest trails back down to the village - whilst
carrying a flaming torch. Alternatively,
the village also offers a cinema and thermal baths. The spa is the highest in
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......BUNGEE JUMPING |
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How about taking a walk on
the wild side – bungee jumping is available at Luz St Sauveur on the famous Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......CANYONING |
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Ride nature's giant
hydro-slides! Abseil, swim, slide and jump into secret gorges and under
sparkling waterfalls into deep pools! This activity is, as its name suggests,
a descent into the torrents of rapids where water has hollowed rock creating
the basins, the hallways and the slides. Canyoning combines the techniques
used in climbing, swimming, caving and general white water sports. This
adventure will suit children from 12 years of age to adults, however you do
need to be reasonably fit. No experience is necessary.
Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......CYCLING |
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Every year France holds its
breath as the multi-coloured peloton winds its way into the Pyrenees,
producing some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of the Tour. But
the cols are not just the preserve of the likes of Contador, Wiggins and
Armstrong. All the mountains can be ridden by anyone who is fit and wants to
experience the buzz of cresting a pass, having climbed through some of
Barèges is a cyclist's
dream! Situated on the classic "Tour de France" route, Barèges sits
below the legendary "Col du Tourmalet" - one of the most memorable
Pyrenean climbs of the Tour. From the pretty village of Ste. Mairie de Campan
(en-route from the Vallee d'Aure and the Col d'Aspin), ascend past traditional
mountain farms and steep wooded hillsides to the ski station of La Mongie, at
the foot of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, then to the col at 2115m. Take in the
spectacular views, North to the towering Pic du Midi and the observatory,
East into the
From Luz there are three
further fantastic
Other cols within easy
reach from Barèges and which regularly feature on the Tour de France are the
Col du Chioula, the Col du Port, the Col de Portet d’Aspet, the Col de Mente,
the Col de Peyresourde and the Col d’Aspen. Further details and whether
Barèges has made the route for the next Tour are available at the official
Tour de France website www.letour.fr. |
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......FISHING |
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Want to go fishing? Mountain
and rainbow trout, Canadian brook trout, cristivomer (lake trout) and char
love the pure gushing waters of the Strict regulations apply to
the fishing season which runs from March to September, although the season
opens later in the mountain lakes. |
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Alternatively, you can try
the fishing LOCATION: Lau-Balagnas
(15kms from Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......GO-KARTING |
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The circuit at
Espoey-Soumoulou is approved by the Federation France Sport Automobile (FFSA)
and regarded as one of the best circuits in LOCATION: Espoey-Soumoulou
between Further details are
available at www.karting-espoey.com or from the Tourist
office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......GOLF |
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There is a fantastic choice
of golf courses in the Hautes-Pyrenees and surrounding regions including the
oldest golf club on mainland Varying in length and
difficulty, some are open and undulating, others flat and tree lined, but
they all have one thing in common – an unbeatable view of the Pyrenees
mountains. GOLF DE LANNEMEZAN - 18
holes 5808m Par 70 Set in 40 hectares of
parkland, next to the hippodrome, the narrow, tree-lined fairways provide a
stiff challenge and although the course is flat, it is hard not to be
distracted by the spectacular views of the Further details are
available at www.golflannemezan.com
GOLF Set in the open, gently
undulating hills above the spa town of Further details are
available at www.golf-bigorre.fr TARBES-TUMULUS – 18 holes Only 2 minutes from the
centre of Tarbes, this course comprises of two distinctly different halves –
the outward journey is over the old part of the course, with short, narrow,
tree-lined fairways, whilst the second 9 is more American style with wider,
longer fairways. There is a practice area and a snack bar can be found in the
club house. Further details are
available at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/tumulus HIPPODROME LALOUBERE – 9 holes Located just outside Further details are
available at www.golfhippo.com LOURDES GOLF CLUB – 18
holes 5600m Par 71 A fairly new, gently
undulating woodland course on the banks of the lake at GOLF DU CHATEAU DE PALLANE – 18
holes 6341m Par 72 A fairly new course set
within the grounds of a lovely chateau. It offers a challenging variety of
holes, some flat and some sloping, with a number of water hazards to negotiate.
The course is very long and provides views of the open countryside with the
mountains in the distance. There are all the usual facilities, with a nice
bar and restaurant. Further details are
available at www.pallane.com PAU GOLF CLUB – 18 holes
5312m Par 69 Worthy of a mention for
being the oldest golf club in mainland Further details are
available at www.paugolfclub.com More general information
can be found at: |
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......HORSE RIDING |
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As recently as the 1980s
there were only a few riding stables in the Further details of local
riding centres are available from the Tourist office in the centre of
Barèges. |
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......ICE CLIMBING |
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Just a short drive away at
the world famous Cirque de Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......MOTOR SPORT |
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In the 1950s the race was
run sporadically as a non-championship Formula One race, with periods as a
Formula Two race. From 1964 the race was part of the French, and later the
European, Formula Two championships. Formula 3000 replaced Formula Two in
The race is run around a
circuit laid out on the streets of the French town, and is in many ways
similar to the more famous Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. The track, which is
2.769 km in length, is one of the most curious and twisty in the GP history
and has remained more or less unchanged up to the present day with the
current lap record being held by Lewis Hamilton.
Further details of the annual race meeting can be found
at www.grandprixautomobilepau.com and from the Tourist office
in the centre of Barèges. |
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......MOUNTAIN BIKING |
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Barèges is situated in the
very heart of mountain biking country. The difficulty of the local routes
varies from easy riding on dirt 4x4 tracks, to steep, technical descents on
single-track switchbacks. Either way, your rides will take in shady forest
trails, open pastureland and historical stone villages (great places to stop
for an ice cream!). The best times of the year for mountain biking in the
Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......PARAGLIDING |
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The
The Barèges valley is
unusual in the Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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......PHOTOGRAPHY |
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Mountain ranges, glaciers,
mountain streams and waterfalls, flora and fauna in the high pastures,
immense beech and fir tree forests.... plenty to keep you taking pictures. |
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......SKIING |
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RESORT HEIGHT: 1250m (4100
ft) HIGHEST SKIING: 2450m (8040
ft) pisted. Off piste from the Pic du Midi observatory 2872m. NUMBER OF PISTES: 69 ( 23 GREEN, 21 BLUE, 20 RED, 5 BLACK) TOTAL PISTED RUNS: 125 kms NUMBER OF LIFTS: 40 LONGEST RUN: 13 kms (GREEN) SNOW MAKING: 172 snow
cannons providing total cover from La Mongie to La Laquette. MOUNTAIN RESTAURANTS: 7 Ski back to village via
green, blue, red and black pistes.
Please click here for a piste map of the Doumaine Du
Tourmalet ski region. |
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The skiing in the Pyrenees is
relatively unknown in the UK, but the Pyrenees are wonderful in the winter –
receiving more snow annually than the Alps, due to their maritime position
near to the Atlantic coast. The weather conditions are ideal – stable high
pressure systems bringing clear blue skies, interspersed with heavy
snowstorms to refresh the slopes. As a result, the Tourmalet resort has a
long season from the end of November through to the beginning of April. The huge Domaine du Tourmalet ski
area has over 100kms of runs and is served by nearly 50 modern lifts, of a
size to rival most large Alpine resorts but without the Alpine prices and
queues, and the locals are so much friendlier! From the forest runs of Barèges to
the wide open sunny pistes of La Mongie, there is wonderful skiing for all abilities,
and you can ski right back to the village on a variety of runs. The expert skier will adore the
Pic du Midi off-piste descent from nearly 3000m and snowboarders will love
the huge snow park. Recent huge investments in over
170 snow cannons ensure comprehensive snow cover across the whole ski area.
Add the charm of a Napoleonic spa village, the local knowledge of a small
specialist operator, a brilliant ski school and you have all the ingredients
for a great ski holiday! Great skiing for all... BEGINNERS — Each of
the five interlinked ski areas has easy slopes for the beginner. The ski
school will use the sunny cruising runs which link the different areas to
move you around the lift system so there is no need for repetitive practice
up and down the same slope. And what better way to gain confidence than on
the longest run in the Pyrenees, 13kms of blissful descent on easy blue and green
runs from the Col du Tourmalet beside the Bastan river back to the village
and to the door of Harrsica. The Barèges beginners' area also has
user-friendly 'moving carpets' to help with those first steps.
INTERMEDIATES —
Intermediate skiers will love exploring the network from one end to the other
with a choice of blue or red runs linking the areas. Start on the pretty tree
lined runs at La Laquette before moving towards "La Plage", a
glorious south-facing run beneath the Pic du Midi, then over the Tourmalet to
the wide sunny pistes of La Mongie to take the cable car to "Quatre
Termes", a gorgeous twisting descent in marvellous high mountain scenery
from 2450m. ADVANCED — The
pistes of the Ayre must rate with the most beautiful runs in |
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FAMILY
SKIING - Skiing in the Doumaine
du Tourmalet is an excellent choice for families. There are well-linked runs
for skiers of all abilities, and plenty of good piste restaurants, which are
a handy meeting place at lunchtime or after lessons. The local ski
instructors are fantastic with children, and the ski crèche is open for the over
threes. The ski crèche is situated on the Tournaboup nursery slopes, with
games and a ski course for kids. A rope tow and rolling carpet
"tapis" lift make skiing easy and fun for young children. Reliable
babysitters are also available locally.
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The SKI
SCHOOL 'ECOLOSKI' — Whether you are a complete beginner or an expert skier the
instructors of Ecoloski, the local ski school, will have you doing things on
skis you will have never done elsewhere. The ski school is particularly good
with children and the instructors speak good English. There is a ski crèche
for the over threes. For them, learning has to be fun, so even the beginners
will soon be moving around the whole network. The better skier will be taken
to some of the special places that only Ecoloski can find, as the instructors
are locals their knowledge of the ski area and conditions is unequalled, a
love of their mountains shines through their work. Tuition is available in
snowboarding, telemark, touring and they offer tandem paragliding flights. Further details of the ski school
can be found at www.ecoloski.fr
The At the foot of the Pic du Midi,
the ski school with instructors-mountain guides invite you to discover the
pleasures of skiing and snowboarding in the great outdoors and on the most
amazing ski slopes in the The Tourmalet snow park is an additional
asset for the snow instructors, who advise and help their students advance in
disciplines such as freestyle, on an area exceptionally secure and well
prepared. A new kindergarten also provides
opportunities for the children to become familiar with the snow and take
their first lessons in skiing. The ski Further details of the ski school can
be found at www.esf-bareges.com
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OFF-PISTE SKIING - Around the Tourmalet ski
resort, there are vast areas of undeveloped skiable terrain to be explored.
The decision in 2003 to open the Pic de Midi cable car to skiers has created
an off-piste skier's dream. It is now possible to descend from 2877m at the
summit, right into the valley bottom at La Mongie - a descent of 1000 m.
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For much of the ski season
in the Luz Ardiden
1680-2500m altitude (60km -
26 pistes) 35 minutes drive Cauterets
1730-2450m altitude (36km
- 23 pistes) 45 minutes drive Gavarnie 1850-2400m altitude (52km - 33
pistes) 45 minutes drive Hautacam
1500-1800m altitude (26km - 14
pistes) 50 minutes drive |
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......SNOWBOARDING |
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The entire Tourmalet region is ideal for snowboarders because almost
all of the resort is accessible by chairlift. Intermediate and advanced
boarders in particular will love the snow park ‘La Parc des Etoilles’, just
beneath the Col du Tourmalet and huge off-piste potential just next to most
of the runs.
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The ski area has acres of off-piste with a wealth of natural
half-pipes, bumps and cruising pistes, making Barèges the ideal playground
for boarders. The last few seasons have seen an explosion in the number of snowboarders;
consequently Barèges has become the home to several important snowboarding
competitions, the most prestigious being the "Mathieu Crepel
Invitational", held every February and attracting some of the best
riders in the world. Mathieu Crepel is from the Tourmalet region himself and
a World Champion snowboarder. |
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......SNOWSHOEING |
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Snowshoeing
is a relatively unknown activity - a perfect way to get deep into the
beautiful Winter mountains and accessible to everyone with very little
training required.
The
Barèges area is scattered with wild valleys, frozen lakes and rolling ridge
tops - all benefiting from the proximity of high ski roads which give easy
access to deep snow. The
local landscape is totally unspoilt and beautiful, and in Winter you can
quickly find yourself in perfect wilderness. Leave behind the bustle of the
ski resort, and step into peace and tranquillity with snowshoeing trips for
all abilities. Further details are available from the Tourist office in
the centre of Barèges. |
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......SWIMMING |
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In the summer there is a
heated open-air swimming pool available at the Helios apartments in Barèges
and just down the road in Luz St Sauveur. |
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......WALKING |
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Barèges is also known as a
destination for walkers. The GR10 long distance walking trail (traversing the
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......WHITE WATER RAFTING |
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White-water rafting is
available at several locations along the Gave-de-Pau (near Argelès-Gazost).
Some of the routes are suitable for young children; others are more
challenging and exciting.
Further details are
available from the Tourist office in the centre of Barèges. |
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