The Pyrenees

Bordeaux : Limousin & Perigord : Gascony : The Pyrenees

Car Hire (main collection points only) : Bordeaux Airport : Bordeaux Railway Station : Toulouse Airport : Toulouse Downtown : Toulouse Railway Station

The wild and beautiful Pyrenean Mountains stretch from the Basque coast of the Atlantic all the way to the Mediterranean forming a massive and continuous chain along the Spanish border.

Due to the deep valleys that slice through the range, there are several different and distinct cultures and ways of life in its provinces.

The most famous is the town of Lourdes, which is home of one of the most important Catholic shrines in the modern world. Thousands crowd the streets each year in search of miracles and healings.

The observation point at the Pic du Midi de Bigorre is accessible by car, and at 2,872 meters (9,397ft) has the most outstanding view of the entire chain of mountains.

Situated on the cost of the bay of St Jean in Golfe de Gascogne is the town of Biarritz, which the Empress Eugerie and Napoleon III became enchanted when they “discovered” it in the mid 19th century. Since then Biarritz has become a resort synonymous with the rich and famous.

The beautiful and romantic beaches of Biarritz extend past the two advances of cliffs, the Pointe St Martin and the Plateau de l’Atalaye, to the northern beach of Chambre d’Amour (love room), famous for its outrageous waves. Many of Europe’s important surfing competitions take place here.

The city Toulouse is famous for its trademark red rose buildings, the material for which comes from the nearby plain of Garonne.

From the 9th to 13th centuries Toulouse was self governed, providing the Toulousians with a life of prosperity and leisure.

Today however Toulouse is the fastest developing city in France, boasting and extremely advanced technological and intellectual community. For example, Concorde was created here, and the university established in 1229 is now the second largest in France.

In this area you can obtain your hire car from Biarritz Airport, Lourdes Airport Tarbes, Lourdes Downtown, Saint Etinenne Airport, Saint Etinenne Downtown, Toulouse Airport, Toulouse Downtown and Toulouse Railway Station.