La Maison Tranquille

A hotel and restaurant in the nearby village of Aste, you can walk in ten minutes.  Traditional French food with a Plat du Jour or à la Carte menu and a good selection of wines, don't forget to have an apperitif.

An Italian restaurant and take-away situated on the main square in Bagneres.  The pizzas are wonderful, the staff friendly and the decor cosy.  If you don't fancy eating out give them a ring and order a pizza, not sure they deliver but it only takes a few minutes to get there in a car. 

Telephone 05 62 95 37 15

What can I say, I dream about the food from this restaurant, it is wonderful.  A little bit of a drive but a lovely setting in the Valley of Lesponne.  The owner, his family and the Chef are very friendly,  opening one night when we were the only customers!  Don't let that fool you though during in summer it is very busy.  The web address is:

www.ramonjuan.com

This is further away and yes you guessed, we haven't been to this one either.  Casinos haven't been very high on our agenda, but each to their own.

The cinema in Bagneres shows films of a cultural nature, rather than the blockbuster films produced in Hollywood, what a refreshing change. 

There is a large number of festivals throughout the year, these include music, literature, theatre, comedy, cinema, art and some that defy categorising!  Each year the council of Midi-Pyrénées produce a booklet listing all of the festivals.  Alternatively if you wish to organise your visit around particular events you can visit www.festivals.midipyrenees.fr for details.

http://www.bagneresdebigorre-lamongie.com/

The resort includes facilities for renting or buying any equipment you might need.

There are a variety of organisations that provide guides and lessons for a number of activities including absailing, one such company is Bureau des Guides, they offer a half a days lesson for €39 per person.  If you are experienced you could do a one or two day adventure, with a night of refuge included in the two day sortie!  There are a variety of areas that are used for these hikes including; Taillon, Casques, Marboré, Mont Perdu, Balaïtous, Munia and Néouville.  The prices range from €43 to €73.For further information e-mail:

montagne.luz@wanadoo.fr

If you are feeling really adventurous (or mad!) or if  absailing and a night of refuge are too safe for you than what about bungy jumping?  Le Grand Saut à L'Élastique is a 90 metre dive, it could be just the thing for you.  For this you have to visit between April and the end of November, it will cost you between €30 and €122 depending on whether you want one go, are mad enough to want to do it again, or are too scared to do it on your own and need someone to hold your hand. I would advise that you get them to hug you tight, rather than just holding your hand!  For further details go to:

www.bungee.nu

There are some wonderful rivers for rafting in the area, in fact the river that runs through Gerde is often used for this sport.  Bureau des Guides offer  a choice of rivers to raft, contact them by e-mailing: montague.luz@wanadoo.fr

Ok, now to the more sedate, much more my style.  There are again organisations that arrange walking groups or you could just pull on your hiking boots and head in almost any direction.  The Pyrénées is well known for being one of the finest walking areas in Europe, this is in part due to the wonderful scenery but also because you do not have to be superfit to walk the Pyrénées, there are walks for all ages and levels of competence.  There are footpaths and trails of varying lengths and the local tourist office can advise on the most appropriate, alternatively tourist guides are available.  For further information go to:

 http://www.bagneresdebigorre-lamongie.com/

Another option is horse riding, less energetic than walking but with just as many aches and pains at the end of the day, just in different places!We are in the process of searching out an organisation that provides horse back tours......

The area provides a perfect setting for bird watching, the list of birds is impressive, for details of the variety of birds you might spot, follow the link to the area web page.

Fishing

The most popular type of fishing in France is trout fishing and you will see many signs for 'pêche à la truite'.  We recommend A Beaudean near to Bagnères de Bigorre where you can also fish for salmon. A Beaudean is open all year around  and also sells farm produce. 

Tel. 05 62 91 70 73

This swimming pool with sauna, jacuzzi and gym must rank as one of the most elegant in Europe, there is even a water music pool, you can only hear the music if you go under  water!  The architecture is amazing, photos do not do it justice so you must visit.  Aquensis is open every day all year round.  It is a little expensive but well worth it.  Aquensis is situated in Bagneres-de-Bigorre.

http://www.aquensis-bagneres.com/

The thermal spas that Bagneres is famous for.  The waters are said to ease the pain of arthritis, respiratory problems and stress.  Grands Thermes is open from March to November.

Cable Cars

Le Pic de Midi

Caves

Les Grottes de Médous

Les Grottes de Labastide

A voyage into the history of prehistoric man, based in the caves of the Baronnies. The publicity states it is an exceptional voyage, but is it real or imaginary?  This is a wonderful place to take children.  Leaflets giving further details are available at La Maison Tranquille or from the local tourist office.

Parc Animalier des Pyrenees

Another one that children will enjoy, walk through the nature park and see many of the animals local to the area, including deer, bears and marmots.  You can also visit the wild animal gallery, I guess these are photographs rather than the real thing!  Visit www.parc-animalier-pyrenees.com  or telephone 05 62 97 91 07.

Aquarium Tropical

If you don't fancy fishing how about visiting a tropical aquarium?  You can learn about the mysteries of marine life.  Pierrefitte Aquarium can be found between Argeles Gazost and Luz et Gavarnie, in fact you could visit both the Parc Animalier and the aquarium on the same day.  The aquarium is closed on Monday and Friday mornings.  

La Falaise aux Vautours

Had enough of fish and wild beasts?  How about birds then?  La Falaise aux Vautours is based in the small village of d'Aste-Béon in a nature reserve.  There is an observatory with cameras installed to watch the birds in their natural habitat. There is also a library and interactive facilities. Time of opening varies depending on the time of year, contact details are available at La Maison Tranquille.There are many more things to do if your not exhausted by the list already!  We will add more excursions as we sample them.  If you visit the area and find something we haven't listed please let us have the details and we will add it to the webpage.