Western Pyrenees, France

The Western Pyrenees National Park in France is one of the most picturesque places in the Pyrenees. It was created in 1967 on an area of nearly 50 hectares. It encompasses some 14 volcanoes more than 2000 m high, some 200 lakes, picturesque valleys and two cirques. Many rare animals and birds live freely in the park, such as golden eagles, griffon vultures, wild goats and several species of bears. There are about 400 km of hiking trails and hunting, flower picking and vehicles are prohibited. The park has many valleys located around the rivers flowing from the mountains. The towns in these valleys are small, charming and peaceful. In them there are enough hotels and restaurants information agencies that give advice on the routes chosen by tourists.

In the Aspe valley is the town of Oloran Sant Marie, from which tourists can climb to a height of 1,632 metres and then enter Spain at the Col du Sompor saddle, the source of endless disputes between the locals and the government. In 2003, a tunnel was dug through the pass. This eased traffic in the valley. Sompor is the place through which the army of the Saracens passed, who were defeated by the troops of Charles Martel in 732. Furthermore, the pilgrims' route to Compostela passed from here. In the Aspe valley is the village of Saranse , with an interesting ecomuseum, and also the ancient cathedral" Notre Dame de la Pierre" with interesting monasteries around. From the village of Lescan, about 6-7 km up the Aspe valley, there is a magnificent view of the rocky amphitheatre at the foot of the Lescan cirque. There are many resort towns in the Oso Valley. Golden eagles, goshawks, falcons and vultures enhance the sense of the valley's unspoiltness. Of note is the town of Arudi with the Maison d,Oso museum, where a collection of the flowers, animals and history of the Pyrenees and the National Park is presented. Interesting are the ancient settlements of Gabas and Larence. Close to them is the artificial lake of Biou Artigues. After a few hours hike one reaches the Ayo lakes. Above them rises the extinct volcano Midi d,Oso. It is 2877m high and is a challenge for tourists coming to the Pyrenees. On a clear day, the view from here reaches the Atlantic Ocean. At its summit there is an observatory and a Museum of the Stars.

The observatory was built in 1880 and most of the building material was carried by porters and mules. From here visitors can enjoy the magnificent view even at night. From the nearby towns of La Mongee and Lourdes there is a funicular railway to the Midi volcano every 15 minutes. In the Oso valley, heading southwards one can reach the Gavarni Cirque. You pass through the village of Saint Sevan, where there was an abbey built in the 11th century. The 12th century church and meeting hall remain. There are also many ski resorts in this part of the Pyrenees, which are not large but are famous for their good snow and pleasant atmosphere. Walking up the Los Gorges one reaches San Sauveur-a fashionable spa town in the 19th century. From the gorge you can easily reach the most famous Gavarni Cirque and the rocky amphitheatre, sculpted by nature and surrounded by snow-capped peaks up to 3048 m high. Victor Hugo called it the "Coliseum of Nature". Cascades of waterfalls cascade down the Gavarni Cirque, the most beautiful being the Great Cascade of Gavarni. The water cascades down from a height of 422 m. It is the highest waterfall in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another narrow gorge leads to the beautiful old spa town of Cottret. From here, a path leads to the so-called Spanish Bridge, where three waterfalls meet. Above it is Mount Vinyomal-3298m, which is the highest of the border peaks.

The Comain valley stretches from Baner de Lyschon almost to Toulouse. One of the most beautiful buildings in the Pyrenees, the Cathedral of Saint Bertrand de Comain, is considered the region's calling card. Its construction lasted for three centuries, from the 14th to the 17th century. Next to it there is a 12th century monastery. Here you can see the exquisite Romanesque church of Saint-Jules, the famous Gargas Cave, the Regional Museum of Baner de Lichon and several ski resorts around.