Services and Rates
All excursions described below will depart from Lourdes city
but can be adapted to suit your preferences.
Meeting point can be at your hotel in Lourdes or at the entrance of Lourdes sanctuaries.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.
Central Pyrenees area
Course ①
Gavarnie/Lourdes/Pont d'Espagne/Cauterets/Val d'Azun/Col du Soulor.
Half-day visit to the most prestigious locations like the Cirque de Gavarnie, registered since 1997 as a UNESCO World Heritage site (Pyrénées -Mont Perdu) and described by Victor Hugo as “the Colosseum of nature“ or starting with the world-famous pilgrimage city of Lourdes, known for Marian apparitions since 1858, then moving on to the majestic site of Pont d'Espagne and the spa town of Cauterets, also known as the "little Paris" in the 19th century.
There is a possibility to include a panoramic drive to the Val d'Azun to admire its picturesque villages and make a stop at the famous Col du Soulor (1474 m/ 4836 feet), one of the most challenging mountain peaks for cyclists in the Pyrenees. On the way back, you can enjoy a stop-over at a cheese farm and have the opportunity to taste local products.
*includes 2-3 sites visits mentioned above depending on what you want to do.
Basque Country
Course ③
Biarritz/ Saint-Jean-de-Luz/ Bayonne/ San Sebastian/ Gernika.
A full day visit to the Basque coast, starting with the city of Biarritz which became famous after the Imperial couple Napoleon III and Eugenie de Montijo established their summer residence there in 1856 and made this place one of the most famous destinations in Europe in the second half of the 19th century.
We can then stroll through the narrow streets of the quaint and charming town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz or in the Old Town of Bayonne while discovering what makes the cultural and culinary identity of the Basque people.
There is also the possibility within a 2-day trip to include a visit to San Sebastian and Gernika, located on the Spanish side of the Basque country. San Sabastian is world famous for its tapas bars in the Old Town as well as been voted as having the best city beach in the world.
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Course ②
Pic du Midi/Col du Tourmalet/Luz-Saint-Sauveur/ Saint-Savin.
Half-day visit to the unforgettable Pic du Midi Observatory up to 2877 meters (9439 feet) high and a panoramic drive with a photo stop opportunity at the mythic mountain pass of the Col du Tourmalet, the highest road mountain pass in the Pyrenees region (2115m/6939feet) and well-known by cyclists as the toughest climb in the Pyrenees section of the Tour de France. There is a possibility within a full day to visit the town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur and learn about the ancestral agro-pastoral economy and meet with local producers (cheese, wool, and honey) or to discover the charming historical village of Saint-Savin, renowned for its Benedictine abbey where christianity first came to our valley and when the 12th century church was built.
Course ④
Espelette/ Sare/ La Rhune/Cambo-les-Bains/Labastide-Clairance.
A full day visit to the French Basque inland province of Labourd to discover its unique culture and history with a stop in the small picturesque town of Espelette, known for its production of red pepper that was brought back from Latin America by the Spanish. The nearby village of Sare, is rated as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
There is the possibility to include a train excursion to the mountain of La Rhune (905 m/2969 feet) which offers a unique panorama view to the Atlantic ocean and the mountains of the Pyrenees.
If you prefer, we can call in at Cambo-les-Bains and find out what made this spa town so famous. Labastide-Clairance is also rated as another one of the most beautiful villages in France.
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Béarn province
Course ⑤
Pau/Salies-de-Béarn/Lake of Artouste/Pyrenees National Park.
Visit of the city of Pau and its renaissance-style castle, known as the birthplace of “the Good king“ Henri IV.
We could also within a full day, include a train ride up into the Pyrenees National Park. When we reach the top, we will be at the highest point of any train journey in Europe at 2000m (6562 feet). On arrival we can admire the Lake of Artouste renowned for its clear blue water.
Alternatively, we can make a stop at the little salt town and spa resort of Salies-de-Béarn, which owes its fame to its unique source of saltwater which has created geological curiosity for many years. It was formed over 200 million years ago and the water is 10 times more concentrated than seawater. Today known as the 'Salt Town', it holds a Salt Festival each year in September.
Regional specialities and good restaurants
Do not hesitate to ask for advice about good places to eat for your groups or for your private trip.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
All services described on this website do not include transportation costs.
I will be pleased to recommend reliable bus companies or private car companies which comply with international standards of tourism regarding safety and comfort.
FARES AND CONDITIONS
City tour : 160 EUROS (2 or 3 hours)
Half-day tour : 220 EUROS (up to 5 hours)
Full day tour : 300 EUROS (up to 8 hours)
*VAT not applicable, art. 293 B from French General Tax Code.
Payment should be made by bank transfer upon confirmation of the service.
LIABILITY
I am unable to take responsibility for matters outside my control, notably sites unexpectedly closed, adverse weather conditions or through roadwork. This might require me to amend or cancel itineraries, but I will do my best to suggest new places of interest.
