Nuggets from the Pyrenees

Day 1

Lourdes

15 km / 18 min

Like millions of visitors from all over the world, we invite you to discover Lourdes. You don’t have to be a churchgoer or even a believer: you come to see the Grotto, to caress the rock, to collect water from the fountains, to burn a candle, to walk with a torch in your hand, all religious, pagan, superstitious, magical gestures… A personal and unique experience that leaves no one indifferent.

On your way:

• The Pic du Jer funicular, a charming journey guaranteed aboard this century-old funicular that leads to the summit at an altitude of 1000 m.

• The fortified castle and its Pyrenean Museum, on its rocky peak overlooking the Marian city and offering an exceptional view of the Sanctuary.

Well worth a visit :

• The Pyrenees Animal Park, and discovering bears, wolves, lynx, marmots, vultures and other animals.

Day 4

From Ainsa to the Louron Valley

121 km / 2h42

After this little escapade in Aragon, we invite you to leave the Spanish Pyrenees, shunned by the rushing waters of the Pyrenees, and head for one of the most beautiful lake landscapes in the massif: the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve, following the high mountain lake route. The day’s itinerary will end at Balnéa on the shores of Lake Génos-Loudenvielle with a soothing, naturally warm spring-water bath in the open air, your eyes riveted on the Pyrenees and its peaks rising to over 3,000 m.

On your way:

• The Cap-de-Long dam, a monumental dam over 100 m high, it forms one of the largest water reservoirs in the Pyrenees.
• The Val Louron-Azet pass, at the summit, vast pastures and a favourite take-off point for paragliders.
• Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle, the focus of attention as you descend the Col de Peyresourde, offering a lovely walking route.

Well worth the diversions:

• The village of Mont and its Romanesque chapel, listed as a Historic Monument, and its exterior fresco, which has valiantly withstood the ravages of time.
• The Col de Peyresourde, a wide pass with breathtaking views.