The beautiful and historic city of Pau boasts an enchanting old quarter, where numerous cafés and restaurants bring life to a labyrinth of quaint streets. The magnificent Château de Pau looms large above this historic centre. Flanking the south side of the old quarter is one of France’s finest promenades, the Boulevard des Pyrénées, a majestic esplanade, from which you can gaze at a 60 mile section of the jagged crest that defines the range, each peak identified by plaques on the hand rails. Pau is 1¼ hours from Luz and 1½ hours from Panticosa. It will therefore make an ideal place to spend the last evening of your holiday if you are flying home from Pau early the next morning.

Ideally situated in the heart of the South West France, Toulouse is a sunny cosmopolitan city which mixes heritage and lifestyle with great cultural and festival events. It is also home to some of France’s best museums and galleries. Between tours you can chat on the terrace of one of the city’s many street cafés, stumble upon the charms of a square, park or garden or just wander along the quays of the Garonne or the banks of the Canal du Midi.

The viewing terrace of the Pic du Midi Bigorre is set (at times) above the clouds at an altitude of 2877m with its sensational views across the Pyrenees and is well worth a visit. The astronomical observatory dates back to 1878 and it was from here in the 1960s that detailed photographs of the surface of the moon were taken by NASA in preparation for the Apollo missions.

The scenic vineyards of the Jurançon and Madiran appellations are an easy car drive from Luz. Tours can be arranged and the day can be spent wandering amongst the gently rolling slopes.

The stunning Val d'Azun is a delightful location for a day out. Relax at the picturesque Lac d’Estaing, or wander about one of many picturesque villages, such as Arrens Marsous, Aucun and Atcizas Dessus or the charming market town of Argelès-Gazost

The spectacular coastline, pristine beaches and excellent surfing of South West France and Northern Spain together with enchanting seaside towns such as St-Jean-de-Luz, provide guests with an easy way to divide their time between two contrasting holiday environments – beaches and mountains. The historic walled towns of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Navarrenx and the picturesque town of Orthez make for lovely places to break the drive between the Pyrenees and the coast.

Finally, the world famous pilgrim site of Lourdes with its sanctuaries, basilica and holy waters is only a short drive from Luz.

Panticosa ~ the Spanish side		Zaragoza Castillo de Loarre Pamplona Alquézar
There are many places of interest which can be visited from Panticosa, either before, after or, if the weather in the mountains is being unkind, during your holiday.
Zaragoza is a gem. Here the remains of the ancient city wall surround the picturesque old town with its charming squares and many fascinating sights such as the Aljaferia Castle and the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar.
The breathtaking Sierra de Guarra, with its deep narrow gorges and high limestone walls, is one of the best canyoning locations in Europe. Situated amongst the almond and olive groves of the pre-Pyrenees, it is a fantasy land of sculpted gorges of all difficulties. The area is also home to pre-historic cave paintings, quaint Spanish villages such as Alquézar and one of the most important bird reserves in Europe.
The 11th century Castillo de Loarre, perched on a rocky outcrop, has to be Aragon’s most spectacular fortress. The San Juan de la Peña monastery was once guardian of the mystical Holy Grail.
The phenomenal Mallos de Riglos, are sugarloaf mountains of sandy red and pink spires, turrets and buttresses, which rise abruptly from the Sierra de Loarre.
Dotted around there are picture-postcard Spanish villages such as the once deserted Lanuza and Ainsa with its cobbled streets and atmospheric hill top quarter. Torla is on the way to Ordesa and the Mondarruego cliffs give this village an impressive backdrop.
Over the border in France, the informative ‘Falaise aux Vautours’ (a Vulture Centre) in Aste Béon offers a fascinating way to view close up, and learn more about, the many vultures which make the Valle de Tena and the Vallée d’Ossau their home.