Destination Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée Magazine - Winter 2016/2017 by Sud de France Développement

1-6 DESTINATION OCCITANIE_Copie de UNE 02/12/16 16:49 Page1

WINTER 2016/2017

THE TOURISM MAGAZINE IN OCCITANIE / PYRÉNÉES - MÉDITÉRRANÉE

DESTINATION

OCCITANIE PYRÉNÉES-MÉDITERRANÉE

A NEW

HORIZON PYRENEES#CEVENNES#AUBRAC#MARGERIDE 42 good reasons to go skiing, between the High-Pyrénées and Lozère

Thermal resorts

30 resorts devoted to well-being

Nature

Aveyron, Lozère, Pyrénées, places to ski in total freedom

Living well

Truffles, foie gras, cassoulet, aligot… winter, truly the season of pleasures!

Discovery

13 departments with a rich heritage, to visit every season

Good places for snow

All the activities and news for 2016/2017 at the mountain resorts

MONNOUVELHORIZON.COM

1-6 DESTINATION OC AN_Mise en page 1 29/11/16 11:20 Page1

Edito Mountains: our four seasons concerto High, medium and low mountains, a range of landscapes and unusual activities: the destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean is dressed in her best to play the four seasons of mountain tourism. More than any other, our region offers mountain fans a superb four seasons concerto: spring, summer, autumn and winter, our mountains offer an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and pleasures. High-altitude vacations are increasingly popular throughout the year but the winter season remains the queen of mountain tourism. And for good reason. For wide-open spaces and winter sports, the Sud de France destination has the rare privilege to offer activities in two totally different mountain ranges: first the Pyrenees, where, from Cauterets to Puyvalador, no less than 33 resorts have the latest equipment and winter activities that are expanding every year: snowshoeing, canyoning, dogsledding, snowbiking, ice diving... Next, the mountains of Cévennes, Margeride and Aubrac, with 9 areas dedicated to the pleasures of sliding sports and cross-country skiing in Aveyron, Gard and Lozère. Winter sports with a commitment to keeping the equipment on a human scale and to promoting authentic and remarkable landscapes and legacies. On the edge of the ski runs of Piau Engaly, Laubert Plateau du Roy and Peyragudes, nature is a fabulous setting with its forests of heveas and pines, its panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountain range from the Pic du Midi at Bigorre or of the Cévennes from the summit of Mont Aigoual. With its philosophy of life and well-being which also rhymes with thermalism and thermoludism, the destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean is at the forefront. Lastly, in this region where living well is a constant and all-encompassing concern, the winter season is best suited for the discovery of the gastronomic wealth and subtleties of our southern Region. I wish everyone a warm winter in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean, rich in wonderful adventures, mountain holidays and discoveries of our heritage. Carole Delga President of the Region Occitania / Pyrenees Mediterranean

Special edition published by the Société du Journal Midi Libre a limited company with a capital of € 6,278,802 - Main shareholders: Groupe La Dépêche du Midi SA - Head Office: rue du Mas-de-Grille 34430 Saint-Jean-de-Védas. Postal Address: 34438 Saint-Jean-de-Védas Cedex - Tél : 33 (0)4 67 07 67 07 - Une production Midi Libre, en partenariat avec Sud de France Développement et la collaboration du Comité Régional du Tourisme Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée. Publishing Manager: Bernard Maffre - Design, editorial coordination: Didier Thomas-Radux - Tél : 33 (0)4 67 07 66 11 - Mail : dtradux@midilibre.com. Editorial staff: Didier Thomas-Radux, Coralie Pierre, Marie Vanhamme, Saskia Leblon, Anne Schoendoerffer, Dominique Malvy. Design: Studio IDM. Cover photo: IStock, OT Font-Romeu. Photos: L.Beziat, Conseil Régional Occitanie/Pyrénées-Méditerranée (p.1), OT Font-Romeu (p.1,38,41), Station Les Angles (p.1,38), Arnaud Spari - Les Bains du Rocher (p.1, 7,11), Domaine de Biar (p.4), La Caminade (p.5), D. Viet - So Toulouse (p.6), C.Deschamps - Sud de France Développement (p.6,23,39), B.Calendini (p.7,10,47), Boigontier - So Toulouse (p.7), Fotolia (p.7), William Truffy (p.7,15,16,17,18,46), Musée-Forum de l’Aurimacien (p.8), Parc de la Préhistoire (p.8), Gouffre de Cabrespine (p.9), Grotte de Niaux (p.9), Serge Lardos - Parc Animalier des Pyrénées (p.10), Balnéa (p.11), Florent Gay - Aquensis (p.13), Didier Thomas-Radux (p.14), Emilie Gentils (p.17), CRT Midi-Pyrénées (p.17), Aurélio Rodriguez (p.18,37), Pierre Lasvenes (p.18), JJ Gelbart - Restaurant Sarran (p.19), P. Nin (p.20), Jean-François Salles (p.21,42,43), Hautacam (p.21), Savasem (p.21,33), Matthieu Pinaud - OT Cauterets (p.21), Archives L’Indépendant (p.21,22,41), N’PY Piau (p.22,27), Hautes-Pyrénées Tourisme Environnement (p.23,24,28), Cauterets N’PY (p.24), Luz-Ardiden N’PY (p.25), Pierre Meyer (p.25, 36), N’PY Grand Tourmalet (p.26), OT Grand Tourmalet - Herranz (p.26), David Vilanova OT Saint-Lary (p.27), Station de ski Nistos (p.28), N’PY Peyragudes (p.29), CDT Haute-Garonne (p.29,30), Altiservice Guzet (p.31), Etang de Lers (p.31), Espace Nordique de Beille (p.32), CCPO (p.33), Refuge du Chioula (p.34), OT Donezan (p.35), Station de Camurac (p.35), OT Cauterets (p.36), C.Espigat - Pic du Midi (p.36), A.Cougnenc - Sud de France Développement (p.37), Cambre d’Aze (p.37), Yves Estivals - Midi Libre (p.42,43,46,48), Station de ski Brameloup (p.42,44), OT Aubrac Laguiole (p.43), Station Les Bouviers (p.42,45), Max Berullier - Midi Libre (p.46), Fanny Perusse (p.47), Archives Midi Libre (p.45,48), DR (p.32,34,40). Printed in Europe. Legal deposit: on publication. ISSN number: 2112-7468. Joint Committee: 0418K 90782. Midi Libre – November 2016 ©

monnouvelhorizon.com Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I EDITO I 1

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Contents

Practical information

Region O

• Custom-made holidays ................................. p 4/5 • How do you get here? ........................................ p 6

7-20 - ATTITUDES

Cities and Countries of Art and History

River ports

Gastronomie

Canal de la Garonne Canal du Midi

Mountain resorts

Golf ranges

Lot

CAHORS

Lauzerte

e Gim

on one Gim s

onne

se Ges

e Sav

Adour

SAINT-BERTRANDDE-COMMINGES

Golf du Comminges

Lannemezan

SAINTGAUDENS

Garon

de Médous

Pau

PIC DU MIDI

Val Louron Superbagnères

GAVARNIE MONT PERDU

Salat

BAGNÈRESDE-LUCHON 3222 m Pic Perdiguère

COLLECTION ARIÈGE Grotte de

Pyrénées Mont Perdu

RÉ

MAS-D’AZIL

Grotte du Mas d’Azil

SAINTLIZIER

Loudervielle Peyragudes

Le Mourtis

Golf de Salies-du-Salat

ron

St-Lary-Soulan

Golf municipal

SAINT-JUST DE-VALCABRÈRE

Barbazan

Luz-Saint-Sauveur Luz-Ardiden

Vignemale 3298 m

Grotte de Gargas

Vallées d’Aure et du Louron

Saliesdu-Salat

Lez

Golf de Tarbes Les Tumulus Golf de l’hippodrome Golf Country de Bigorre

Hautacam Barèges 2872 m

e de

Cauterets

Golf de Lannemezan

Ado

Gav

CAUTERETS PONT D’ESPAGNE

Villefranchede-Lauragais

TARBES

BAGNERESGouffre d’esparros DE-BIGORREGrotte

Beaucens

MURET

Sav

Gar

Baïse

Echez

392 m

64 Capvern- A les-Bains

ARGELESGAZOST

4 A6 RamonvilleSaint-Agne

Golf Club de Toulouse

Lèze

Grotte de Betharram

TOULOUSE

Ariège

LOURDES

Golf du Téoula

nne

Arros

Golf de Gascogne

Golf du Château de Barbet Golf de la Ramée

A68

Garo

Osse

Save

Golf las Martines

MIRANDE

Golf du Château de Pallanne

Golf de Palmola

A62

Arr

Golf d’Embats

MARCIAC

Exclusiv Golf ToulouseSeilh

Sarrant

ats

e al d Canaronne la G

AUCH

Lourdes Pyrénées Golf Club

A20

lise Gé e

Gélis

nne

Garo

Tarn

Lavardens

A64

Golf de Fleurance

Castéra-Verduzan

Adour

A64 BAYONNE

Douz

Golf de Guinlet

Lectoure

Flaran Valencesur-Baïse

FLARAN BAÏSE ARMAGNAC

Tarn

Garonne

CASTELSARRASIN

Gers

CONDOM

Golf des Aiguillons

MONTAUBAN

Golf d’Espalais

Fourcès Montréal Larressingle

Golf de Montauban L’Estang

las

Lembou

MOISSAC

Auvillar

Barbotanles-Thermes Mid ou Séviac

A20

SORTIE

Pyrénées

2 I Contents I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Séoune

Canal des Deux Mers

21-48 - ALTITUDES

• Laguiole ......................................................... p 43 • Brameloup — Nasbinals - Le Fer à Cheval ........ p 44 • Aubrac Sud Bonnecombe Les Bouviers Grandrieu .................................. p 45 • TOUR # From Margeride to Aubrac, authentic landscapes ...................... p 46 • Laubert Plateau du Roy Le Bleymard Mont-Lozère ................................ p 47 • Mas de la Barque — Prat-Peyrot Mont Aigoual ... p 48

GOURDON

Canal des Deux Mers (Two Seas Canal):

Caves

Cévennes-Aubrac-Margeride

Grotte de Cougnac

Canal du Rhône at Sète

• Well-being and thermal baths .................. p 11/13

• Val d'Azun ...................................................... p 23 • Cauterets — Hautacam ................................... p 24 • Luz Ardiden — Gavarnie .................................. p 25 • Grand Tourmalet - La Mongie — Campan Payolle .. p 26 • Piau Engaly — Saint-Lary-Soulan...................... p 27 • Val Louron — Nistos ....................................... p 28 • Peyragudes — Bourg-d’Oueil .......................... p 29 • Luchon Superbagnères — Le Mourtis .............. p 30 • Guzet — Etang de Lers .................................... p 31 • Goulier Pyrénées — Beille ............................... p 32 • Ax 3 Domaines — Monts d’Olmes .................... p 33 • Le Chioula — Ascou Pailhères ......................... p 34 • Mijanès Donezan — Camurac .......................... p 35 • TOUR # On the roof of the Pyrénées ................ p 36 • Porté-Puymorens — Espace Cambre-d’Aze ...... p 37 • Font Romeu, Pyrénées 2000 Les Angles ...................................................... p 38 • Formiguères — Puyvalador............................... p 39 • La Quillane — Station Nordique du Capcir........ p 40 • TOUR # Cerdagne on board the Yellow Train .... p 41

Grotte des Merveilles

Canal de la Robine

Thermal resorts

Pleasure boat marinas

• Winter aromas: seasonal products .................. p 14 • Truffles: recipes and rendezvous ..................... p 15 • Foie gras: recipes and rendezvous .................. p 16 • TOUR # These dishes which make the region.... p 17 • Stars for excellence: Gourmet Restaurants p 18/19 • Indoor markets, the beating heart of regional gastronomy ....... p 20

Golf de Montal

Via Domitia

Gers

Relaxation

Souillac DORDOG

Via du Piémont

Great Sites of France

VALLÉE DE LA

Souillac Golf et Country Club

Via Tolosana

UNESCO sites

Arrat

•Animal Parks .................................................... p 10

Via Podiensis

Top Tourist Destinations of Midi-Pyrénées

Pique

Loisirs-Culture

Brives/ Vallée de la Dordogne

Santiago de Compostela Pilgrims’ Route:

Baïse

• Prehistory, One of the cradles of humanity ........ p 8 • Caves and chasms............................................. p 9

Most beautiful villages in France

Nes te

Nature

NÉ

Mont Valier 2838 m

Écogolf de l’Ariège

Bédeilhac Grotte de la Vache

Grotte de Niaux

Aulusles-Bains Goulier

Guzet

TARASCO SUR-ARIÈ

Pic d'Estats 3115 m

NIAUX

Ax-3 Doma

Pyrénées Cathare

1-6 DESTINATION OC AN_Mise en page 1 29/11/16 11:20 Page3

n Occitania / Pyrenees Mediterranean A20 PARIS A75 CLERMONT-FERRAND PARIS e

Cèr

FIGEAC

SAINT-CIRQLAPOPIE PECH-MERLE

Grotte de Foissac

Lot

Golf du Totche

VILLEFRANCHEDE-ROUERGUE

Phosphatières du Cloup d’Aural

Tarn

e Arièg

Hers

2910 m Le Puigmal

Aude

e Arièg

nne

ôn

Garo

Castelnou

Vernet-les-Bains

Pyrénées 2000 St-Pierre-des-Forçats Eyne

Vallée de la Têt

Têt

Massif du Canigo

Le Boulou

Amélieles-Bains

Céret

Falgos Golf Resort

Puigmal

Grotte de Fontrabiouse

Golf de SaintCyprien

Vallées catalanes Fortifications de Vauban Villefranche-de-Conflent du Tech et du Ter

Sègr

Golf de Font-Romeu

Matemalela-Llagonne

LION

La-Preste-les-Bains

MER MEDITERRANEE

Ste-Marie-la-Mer Canet-en-Roussillon

Têt

Etang de Canet

Saint-Cyprien Tech

Argelès-sur-Mer Collioure Cap Béar Port-Vendres Anse de Paulilles Banyuls-sur-Mer Cerbère

Font Romeu

PERPIGNAN

Mosset Eus

Gruissan

Le Barcarès

Agly

Grotte de l’Aguzou

Molitgles-Bains Evol

Puymorens

CAM

Port-Leucate

Etang de Leucate

Golf de Montescot

Mijanès

Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Catalanes

Etang de Méjean

La Franqui Leucate A9

Puyvalador Formiguères Les Angles

Etang de Mauguio

A54 MARSEILLE

Port-la-Nouvelle La Palme

Sigean

Rennes-les-Bains

AscouPailhères

Etang de Bages Etang de et de Sigean l’Ayrolle

Etang de Lapalme

2027 m Pic de la Fageolle

Lattes

GUE

Cô

Ax-les-Thermes Ax-3 Domaines

Pyrénées Cathares

Golf de Narbonne

Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée

Lagrasse Alet-les-Bains

Limoux

Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises

MONTPELLIER

Vallée du Salagou et Cirque de Mourèze Golf de Montpellier Massane

Etang de Scammandre Etang du Charnier

Canal du Rhône à Sète

s te

Ville Fortifiée Historique

Golf de Carcassonne

Ussat-les-Bains

Bellegarde

Grotte de Clamouse Golf de La Golf de Coulondres Grande-motte Camargue gardoise

A750

ôn

NIAUX

Lac du Salagou

A9 Villeneuve-les-Avignon

Beaucaire

St-Gilles Vauvert

St-Guilhemle-Désert

A75

A9 LYON/PARIS

La AiguesVilleneuveCarnonGrande- Mortes lès-Maguelone Olargues Motte Etang Golf PalavasVic- de Vic Saint-Thomas les-Flots Grotte de la Devèze la-Gardiole Pézenas BalarucLe Grau-du-Roi Thoré les-Bains Parc Naturel Régional 5 Port Camargue 7 Frontignan A du Haut-Languedoc Golf de Bassin l Canal Go fe d’Aig Cap d’Agde de Thau ue BEZIERS du Midi sMinerve Hé rau M Marseillan lt Agde Portiragnes Vendres Capestang Vias Le Cap d’Agde NissanSérignan-Plage Cap d'Agde Sallèles-d’Aude lez-Ensérunes ValrasHomps Le Somail Plage Canal de Au Port Cabanes de Fleury A9 de la Robine A61 Saint-Pierre-la-Mer NARBONNE Narbonne-Plage ieu Orb

MONTSÉGUR

TARASCONSUR-ARIÈGE

Golf de Fontcaude

Gorges de l’Hérault

Orb

Trèbes

CARCASSONNE

Hers

FOIX

Grotte de Niaux

Remoulins

Pont du Gard Gouffre les Espélugues

NÎMES

Grotte des Demoiselles

Cirque de Navacelles

de Au

Gouffre des Corbeaux Grotte de Lombrives

Mid

Bram

Écogolf de l’Ariège

rdo

Montagne Noire Can du al

Camon

Uzès

Gard

Anduze Ga

Ariège

Grotte de Limousis

Castelnaudary

PAMIERS MIREPOIX

Abîme de Brambiau

LE VIGAN

Golf d’Uzès Gorges du Gardon

Sète

Gouffre de Cabrespine

ALES

Golf Club Alès Ribaute

Grotte de Trabuc

Vidourle

Thoré

Sorèze

A61

Golf Club de Mazamet La Barouge

Revel

A6 Villefranche1 de-Lauragais AvignonetLauragais

Orb

rau

LODEVE

Lunas

Lamaloules-Bains

Agout

Hé

Causses et Cévennes

Aiguèze

Cèz

La Roque-sur-Cèze Pont Saint-Esprit Allègre-les-Fumades

rdo

Grotte de Labeil

urd

A62

Girou

Chemins St-Jacques de Compostelle

CASTRES SORÈZEREVELSAINT-FERRÉOL

1117 m Roc de la Layre

ues

Sorg

Avèneles-Bains

caune Mont de La 1267 m

Golf de Gourjade

Golf Estolosa

Pic d'Estats 3115 m

SYLVANÈS

Lautrec

Agou

Gir

RamonvilleSaint-Agne

Aulusles-Bains Goulier

La Couvertoirade

Dadou

Golf St-Gabriel

uzet

Dourdou

Dadou

Golf de Fiac

Dourbie

Grotte de Bédeilhac Grotte de la Vache

ROQUEFORT

Albi Florentin Golf

S-D’AZIL

Broussele-Château

Cité Épiscopale

ALBI

d’Aigueèlze

Cités templières

Mont-Aigoual Prat-Peyrot

ie ourb

Viaduc de Millau

CÉV

1565 m

Meyrueis

NES

Golf d’Albi Lasbordes

Tarn

Puycelsi Golf

A68

Grotte de Dargilan

Tarn

Ardèche

CastelnaudeMontmiral

Golf de Palmola

Grotte de la Cocalière

Aven Armand

Jonte

Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses

CARMAUX

Grotte de la Salamandre

Montclus

Gorges du Tarn et de la Jonte

Tarn

CORDES-SUR-CIEL

Mas de la Barque

FLORAC

Monestiés

Golf de La Garde-Guérin

Lac de Pareloup

VIADUC DE MILLAU

La GardeGuérin

Le Bleymard Villefort

Tarn

MILLAU

Bruniquel Tarn

Pays d’art et d’histoire Mende et Lot en Gévaudan

Peyre

Aveyron

MONTAUBAN

Bagnolsles-Bains

1699 m Mont Lozère

Jon

Belcastel

Sauveterrede-Rouergue

Grotte du Bosc Académie Couleur Golf

Lot

Ste-Énimie

Viaur

Golf de Montauban L’Estang

Golf des Gorges du Tarn

Ste-Eulalied’Olt Sévéracle-Château

Aveyron

Viaur

NAJAC

St-Chélyd’Aubrac

Espalion

RODEZ

Bastides du Rouergue

MENDE

Estaing Lot

St-Cômed’Olt

Golf du Grand Rodez

Avey ron

A20

CONQUES Cransac-les-Thermes

ault

CAHORS

Lot

Capdenacle-Haut Lot

Domaine de Barres

Laubert

1448 m

A7 5

lé

Golf de Mezeyrac

eill

Cap Cerbère

A9 BARCELONE

Grotte des Grandes Canalettes

ESPAGNE Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I MAP I 3

des Causses du Quercy

Cé

LANGOGNE

Rhône

Parc Naturel Régional A20 Grotte du Pech Merle

Bès

Nasbinals

ône

Laguiole

Les Bouviers

Petit Rh

Cardaillac

Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnolellier AumontAubrac

Truy

Hér

GOURDON

ST-CHÉLY-D’APCHER

La Chaldette ère

GO LF

ROCAMADOUR

Grotte de Cougnac

778 m

Presque

Autoire

Grotte de Lacave

Le Malzieu

yère

Loubressac Grotte de Alvignac-Miers

Golf de Montal Grotte des Merveilles

Tru

seza

Dordog

Chas

VALLÉE Carennac Gouffre DE LA de Padirac DORDOGNE Souillac

Souillac Golf et Country Club

Tarn

Brives/ Vallée de la Dordogne

1-6 DESTINATION OC AN_Mise en page 1 29/11/16 11:20 Page4

ATTITUDES

Custom-made holidays Quality accommodation for a great holiday

Domaine de Biar, Lavérune Classic or high-range, the accommodation in Occitania / Pyrenees - Mediterranean highlights the utmost refinement. A vast, diverse territory, including the coastline of the Golfe du Lion, two mountain ranges, limestone plateaus and a backcountry that stretches to the Dordogne Valley, the Region offers a wealth of splendid settings that are typical of the local art of living. Here, wellbeing and living well are important points of view. The options for accommodation are extremely varied. Thus, a holiday in a hostel will delight visitors seeking a family atmosphere in an old traditional building, decorated with care by its owners. If visitors prefer an exotic setting, cabins or yurts in the woods are also offered in several Departments, winter and summer alike.

Close to the resorts of Grand Tourmalet and Cauterets, it is possible to spend one or more nights in superb cabins with a spa perched between the oak and fir trees, in an astonishing setting with a breathtaking view. Mountain lovers will also find friendly places to stay while hiking in the Pyrenees or on the Camino de Compostela. During the winter season, whether at Saint-Lary, Barèges or Peyragudes, many hotels and guest rooms offer services of great quality in real chalets or old, renovated farmhouses in Bigorre, with an authentic and relaxed atmosphere. Many resorts also offer high quality chalets, like the boutique-hotel and luxury chalet recently built at the resorts of Les Angles and the Bolquère Pyrénées 2000, and even historical homes and castles, such as Enveitg near Porté-Puymorens

4 I ATTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

and Camurac in Aude. But winter is also the opportunity to discover the calm of the backcountry where wine tourism is developing in the Lot Valley in the vineyard of Cahors as well as in Gers to discover Armagnac or in Aude to master the subtleties of the wines of Clape, etc. Guaranteed by its different labels, including ‘Qualité Sud de France’, and increasingly more engaged in the sustainable tourism qualification, these resorts enable you to put down your suitcases in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean in total peace of mind. Reserve your next vacations on monnouvelhorizon.com

1-6 DESTINATION OC AN_Mise en page 1 29/11/16 11:20 Page5

Character Sites “Art of living” character accommodation, a rigorous selection

An old priory in Gascogne, a master’s manor at the gates of Toulouse and a restored mill in Conques, where the art of transforming country homes into superb guest houses, hostels and rental properties combines elegance and typical character. The guest houses, hostels and rental properties which form part of the collection of the “Art of living” character accommodation were selected by a jury, composed of members of Departmental and Regional institutions, on the basis of a rigorous product specifications. They provide you with the guarantee of staying in a place which has a history and a soul and distinctive architecture et their special identity (castles, old convents, mills, pigeon coops), setting and environment (panoramic views, unspoilt nature, beautiful villages...) as well as personalised services (rooms with a theme, personalised decoration, activity programme…) La Caminade, Cazals

Unusual places

“Tourism Sud de France” The guarantee of a caring welcome Developed since 2008 in the Departments in the western part of the Region of Occitania / PyreneesMediterranean and recognised at the national level for ‘Qualité Tourisme’, the ‘Tourisme Sud de France’ label guarantees a warm and professional welcome. It indicates high standards of quality and comfort in around 1,300 tourist facilities and sites. Whether they are restaurants, wine-tasting cellars on the new Sud de France wine tourism routes, sales outlets for local products, tourist and cultural sites, accommodation such as local inns, hotels and, very recently, guest rooms which are now eligible for this label, all are engaged in a rigorous approach to quality and are subject to external audits before the label is awarded, renewable every 3 years. These facilities offer at a minimum bilingual French-English services and welcome people with reduced mobility – not to mention a firm commitment to inform guests clearly and effectively on all the cultural and entertainment events available in the region. destinationsuddefrance.com/qualité

Over sixty tourist facilities chosen for their exceptional features form the Prestige Circle, initiated by “Sud de France Développement” for exceptional tourism. There are many destinations: green getaways in an authentic bastide, a mystic night in a Benedictine monastery, an evening under the stars in a Catalan golf restaurant and epicurean winetasting in a vineyard estate... Quintessential refinement to satisfy every whim for discovery and infinite emotions. destinationsuddefrance.com/cercleprestige

Destination Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée I ATTITUDES I 5

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Toulouse, place du Capitole

Montpellier, place de la Comédie

How do you get here? Located in the South of France on the Mediterranean Arc, the destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean is 3.5 hours away from Paris by high-speed train through the Rhône Valley and 4 hours away by the Atlantic high-speed train. Regular flights from Paris for Toulouse and Montpellier are very busy. London is a 1.5 hour flight away and Barcelona is just 2 hours away by the highway. The Region has 9 airports within its territory, hosting commercial flights from all of France and most European countries and the Mediterranean basin – either with the major airlines, or with the low-cost companies. For more information: in order to complete your reading and your discovery of the destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean, you have at your disposal a web site: monnouvelhorizon.com This little square is a QR code allowing you to connect directly to the site monnouvelhorizon.com by scanning it with your Smartphone.

Contact details The tourist agencies of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean • Sud de France Développement destinationsuddefrance.com // monnouvelhorizon.com

• Agence de Développement Touristique du Gard tourismegard.com

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme de Lozère www.lozere-tourisme.com

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme du Gers tourisme-gers.com

• Hautes-Pyrénées Tourisme Environnement tourisme-hautes-pyrenees.com

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme de la Haute-Garonne tourisme.haute-garonne.fr

• Agence de Développement Touristique des Pyrénées-Orientales tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com

• Agence de Développement Touristique de l’Aude audetourisme.com

• Agence de Développement Touristique de l’Hérault herault-tourisme.com

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme du Tarn tourisme-tarn.com

• Comité Départemental du Tourisme de l’Aveyron tourisme-aveyron.com

• Agence de Développement Touristique du Lot tourisme-lot.com

• Comité Régional du Tourisme tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com // monnouvelhorizon.com • Agence de Développement Touristique d’Ariège ariegepyrenees.com

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• Agence de Développement Touristique du Tarn-et-Garonne tourisme-tarnetgaronne.fr

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ATTITUDES A land of sunshine in summer, the 13 Departments of the region become peaceful in winter and offer, in addition to winter sports, many activities for relaxation and good living.

As much as in summer, the destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean is a land of welcome in winter. A region of wide open spaces and vast horizons studded with villages of character, it rhymes with discovery and relaxation. A region of “waters”, it has 30 thermal resorts and a good number of spas and wellness places in winter. A region of “wilderness”, it is full of caves and caverns that are renowned throughout the world for their prehistoric heritage. A region of “pleasures”, it is a world of gourmets with a gastronomy that is sought after and renowned, from truffles to foie gras by way of oysters, not to mention the wines. A friendly and endearing region, endowed with a fabulous heritage that you can discover over the weekend or a family vacation.

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Must-see Dinosaurs, Mammoths and Company

museum of Aurinacien

Prehistory One of the cradles of humanity At Tautavel, in the Eastern Pyrenees, a fabulous discovery was made in 1971. In a cave overlooking the village, the Caune de l’Arago, the oldest European skull redrew all the maps of prehistoric research at that time. With his receding forehead, his prominent brows and his deep-set eyes, Tautavel Man, Homo Erectus, the ancestor of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon y man, lived there 450,000 years ago. Many digs in Spain, in Italy and more recently in Georgia, have made our man seem considerably younger with the discovery of human jaws 1.7 million years old. Everything is relative in palaeontology… In the heart of the village, the Museum of Prehistory presents the fascinating history of this discovery and of this man, the first to have chosen our Region to settle in. Among the reconstitutions, that of the Caune de l’Arago, of the hunting scenes and the exhibits of objects found in the cave and the animals which lived at the same time as our ancestor, captivating for all visitors.

If Tautavel was the first, many other “humans” have left traces of their presence throughout the Region. In Haute-Garonne, the Aurignac site is at the origin of a period called Aurignacian (around 35,000 years before our era), at about the same era as the artists of the Chauvet Cave in Drôme. A very beautiful museum retraces the history of digs which have provided us with the knowledge of this very ancient period. Much more recently, the Azilien era covers the millennia between -12,000 and -9,600 years before our era, a much warmer period after the last ice age. Its name comes from that of Mas d’Azil, a village in Ariège where painted stones and harpoons made of deer antlers were found in a cave. Here also, a prehistory museum preserves the traces of the prehistoric humans who were our ancestors. tautavel.com musee-aurignacien.com sites-touristiques-ariege.fr

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Prehistory Park Ariège is a Department where evidence of prehistory is rich, with the Niaux cave in the forefront (closed in winter) – and also the Prehistory Park. Outdoors on 13 hectares, the Prehistory Park has re-created prehistoric camps along with a vegetal labyrinth to provide you with an immersion experience in the sound environment of the cavemen. Offering an entertaining approach to prehistory, the Park organises many workshops (hunting, archaeology, cave painting, making stone tools, etc.) to better understand this prehistoric period. The museographical building “Le Grand Atelier” offers a tour to discover the art of prehistoric humans. (Reopening on April 3, 2017) sites-touristiques-ariege.fr Dinosauria, the museum of Eva Long ago, dinosaurs also lived in Occitania. The remains of one of them, Ampelosaurus atacis, was discovered in Aude at Espéraza. The largest museum in France entirely devoted to dinosaurs was built there. The greenhouse of the vegetation of the Cretaceous period and its Gallery on Evolution are two excellent introductions to the history of humanity. dinosauria.org Toulouse Museum Did you know? Toulouse has the biggest Natural History Museum in France, outside Paris. Its collections number over one million eight hundred thousand separate artefacts! Real treasures are exhibited in its halls devoted to prehistory and palaeontology. museum.toulouse.fr

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Cave tours Grotte de Niaux - Niaux (Ariège)

“Gouffre de Cabrespine”

Exploration The beauties of the underground world Sinkholes, abysses, caves and chasms, the Region has lots of them and is ranked first on the national podium, moving France to third place internationally, after China and the United States nothing less. Why? It is due to the karst, formed of water and limestone, which is found throughout much of Occitania. Take advantage of the winter season to discover this amazing geological heritage. Underground, the temperatures are constant all year round, at about 14°C. Another reason to plunge into the entrails of the earth. In the Eastern Pyrenees, you should see those of Canalettes and Fontrabiouse. At Cabrespine in

Aude, an enormous glass balcony overlooks a gigantic chasm as impressive as the one at the Cave of Trabuc in Gard.In Hérault, the Cave of the Demoiselles with its famous stalagmite christened “Virgin and Child”, like the aragonites in the Cave of Clamouse, are not to be missed. The underground lakes and twelve chambers in the Caves of Lacave in Lot are truly enchanting, not to mention the famous Chasm of Padirac, 103 meters deep. The Caves of Betharram, in the High-Pyrenees, can be toured by train and boat. These are some of the wonders to sample off-season, far from the summer crowds.

The most ancient museum of Humanity

Most of the decorated caves discovered in France, of which there are just over 150, are located in our

Region. Open to the public, tours are conducted in small groups, accompanied by a guide. They are the most beautiful evidence of human occupation from prehistoric times in Occitania / PyreneesMediterranean. In Ariège, the Cave of Niaux is famous for its “Salon Noir” decorated with paintings of animals that date back 13,000 years before

our era. In the cave of the Mas d’Azil, near Niaux, paintings on the walls and painted pebbles have been found. Even older, the wall frescoes of the Grotte du Pech Merle, located in Lot, have often been compared to… the Sistine Chapel in Rome! In the HighPyrenees, the Grottes de Gargas are known for their portrayals of mutilated hands. Painted as stencils, they are one of the earliest examples of technical research in the history of art.

Closed in January, except on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations required. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 05 10 10. Grotte du Mas d’Azil - Le Mas d’Azil (Ariège) Closed in January. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 05 10 10. Grotte de Bédeilhac - Bédeilhac and Aynat (Ariège). Open on Sundays and public holidays. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 05 95 06. Labouiche underground river - Baulou (Ariège). Open from April. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 65 04 11. Grotte de Lombrives - Tarascon sur Ariège (Ariège). Re-opening in 2017. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 05 98 40. Grotte de Limousis - Limousis (Aude) Open from March 1st. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 26 22 22. Giant abyss of Cabrespine - Cabrespine (Aude). Closed from mid-December till the end of January. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 26 14 22. Grotte de Trabuc - Mialet (Gard) Closed in December and January. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 85 03 28. Grotte de la Cocalière - Courry (Gard) Open from March 15. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 24 34 74 Aven-grotte de la Forestière - Issirac (Gard) Open from April 16. Tel. 33 (0)4 75 38 63 08. Abîme de Bramabiau - Saint-Sauveur Camprieu (Gard). Open from: April 2017. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 82 60 78. Grotte de la Salamandre - Méjannes-le-Clap (Gard). Open from: March 2017. Tel. 33 (0)6 10 86 13 13. Gouffre des Espéluges - Dions (Gard) Tel. 33 (0)4 66 03 62 59. Grottes de Gargas - Aventignan (Hautes-Pyrénées). Tel. 33 (0)5 62 98 81 50. Grottes de Betharram - Saint Pe de Bigorre (Hautes-Pyrénées) Tel. 33 (0)5 62 41 80 04. Open from February 10. Gouffre d’Esparros - Esparros (Hautes-Pyrénées). Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 11 80.

Grotte des Demoiselles

Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois (Hérault) Closed from January to the beginning of February. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 73 70 02.

Grotte de Clamouse

Saint-Jean-de-Fosse (Hérault) Closed from mid-December to January 6. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 57 71 05.

Grotte de la Devèze

Courniou (Hérault) Open from April. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 97 03 24.

Grotte de Labeil

Le Caylar (Hérault) Open from: March 2017. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 96 49 47 Gouffre de Padirac - Padirac (Lot) Open from: March 2017. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 33 64 56. Grotte du Pech Merle - Cabrerets (Lot) Up to March 31, open only on Mondays, Fridays and Sunday afternoons. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 31 27 05.

Grotte de Presque

Saint-Médard de Presque (Lot) Open from February 15. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 40 32 01. Grottes de Lacave - Lacave (Lot) Open from February 4. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 37 87 03 Aven Armand - Open from: March 2017. Hures-la-Parade (Lozère) Tel. 33 (0)4 66 45 61 31. Grotte de Dargilan - Meyrueis (Lozère) Open from: April 2017. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 45 60 20.

Grotte de Fontrabiouse

Fontrabiouse (Pyrénées-Orientales) Tel. 33 (0)4 68 30 95 55.

Grotte des Canalettes

Villefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrénées-Orientales) Closed in January. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 05 20 20.

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An unusual experience

Wild Spend the night next to the bears and wolves in the Pyrenees Animal Park Founded in 1999 near ArgelèsGazost, the Pyrenees Animal Park, stretching over 14 hectares on the hillside, enables you to discover the native animals of the Pyrenees and to mingle with them. 650 animals of over a hundred species live here in semi-liberty. You can play with the marmots in the summer, stroke the deer, admire the bearded vultures and the vultures, laugh at the antics of the otters, rub shoulders with the bighorn sheep and the Pyrenean chamois or admire the fawns. Each species has its own area (ungulates rock, marmots hill, roe deer nursery, etc.) while a wildlife gallery presents scenes of the lives of European African and American fauna. The proximity is such that the Park offers the option of sleeping in an eco-lodge in the park, next to the animals! The “Bear Refuge” offers a wonderful view of the enclosure of Nao and Kuma, the two brown bears, while the “Trapper’s Cabin” an authentic log cabin, enables you to watch the wolf pack led by Macho and Sakia. Unforgettable experiences in the middle of wildlife. The Park was chosen as the best nature/animal site in France for 2016. (Closed from December to March 2017) parc-animalier-pyrenees.com

The largest herbivorous animals in Europe graze on Margeride 800 kilos, nearly 2 m at the shoulders and 3 m long! This is the average size of a male bison. A large and imposing beast, which all but disappeared from the European landscape after the end of the First World War. The last wild specimens were hunted in the great forests of Poland at the beginning of the twenties. In contrast to its American cousin, the herds of which continue to inspire Far West folklore, the European bison almost disappeared. Its history is closely linked with that of humans. They have been found in the prehistoric cave paintings along with the aurochs, their cousins which disappeared centuries ago, Charlemagne hunted them in the forests of western Germany. A victim of its own corpulence, the bison was unable to survive the modification of its environment. With less forest, more crops, it lost its main source of food and was also hunted relentlessly. Saved by the efforts of

a few zoologists, the species first survived in captivity, before being reintroduced little by little in its natural environment in northern Europe. In Sainte-Eulalie, at Margeride in Lozère, six males and three females arrived from Poland in 1991. The graft was successful. From now on, a beautiful herd lives in semi-liberty n the wide open spaces that they share with local fauna (stags, bucks, etc.) and horses. The European Bison Reserve in Lozère offers the unforgettable experience of getting right up close to these gigantic animals that have not changed since prehistoric times - on foot, in a carriage or a sleigh, this is a must-see. Watch the weather and meet up at Sainte-Eulalie when Margeride is covered with snow.. Bundled up in your horse-drawn sleigh, you will see the unusual shape of these bovines loom in front of you from another era. bisoneurope.com

Fauna Zoos and greenhouses In winter and summer, the zoo at the Lunaret Park is the favourite Sunday outing for people in Montpellier. In a vast pine forest, lions, bears and giraffes get along together, the monkeys play with the otters and entertain the visitors while less well-known species such as these fearsome lycaons (African wild dogs) impress both children and adults. Located at the entry to the park, the greenhouse is a formidable reconstruction of the vegetation of the Amazon

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jungles. It also houses an exceptional collection of lemurs.At Plaisance-du-Touch in Haute-Garonne, 20 km away from Toulouse, the African Safari Zoo has assembled over 600 animals on 20 ha for you to discover during a ride in your car, through a collection of African animals and on foot, in a park of oak trees full of species of fauna from around the world. zoo-montpellier.fr zoo-africansafari.com

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Resorts

ATTITUDES

Well-Being Destination A region endowed with real know-how From the High-Pyrenees to the Eastern Pyrenees, from Gers to Lozère by way of Aveyron, the Occitania / PyreneesMediterranean Region is a leading region for thermalism as you can see from the 30 resorts, or one third of the thermal resorts in France! Every year, the resorts welcome hundreds of thousands of guests seeking treatments in buildings that have not changed since the era of the French Second Empire in the 19th century. Napoleon III. The industrial and cultural elite of the of the late nineteenth century lent an incomparable renown to all these villages which have in their areas an inexhaustible resource: their hot springs, some of which have been known and exploited since the Gallo-Roman era. Whether they were sulphur or salt, whether they treated rheumatism, ENT or skin problems, they stimulated the tastes of the wealthy who came to heal (a bit), to show off (a lot) and to have parties (crazy). What remained were sumptuous hot springs, privileged relations, a know-how recognized for over a century and water still pouring from the vents. Everywhere, the thermal resorts have now become popular, offering ultra-modern medical infrastructures. Their geographic locations enabled them to open up to a new type of client by offering balneotherapy activities in an environment that promotes leisure, skiing, hiking and even gastronomy. In adapting to this new demand for well-being, they have succeeded in their gamble: transforming an outdated practice into a young, dynamic activity. Barèges, Balaruc-les-Bains, Lamalou, Cauterets, Avène, Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Lectoure are now associated with recognised medical treatments and a new way of “taking the waters”.

Driven by a constant search for quality and innovation, the hot springs of the Region are renowned in particular for the treatment of rheumatic ailments, phlebology, ENT and respiratory infections among children, neurological and psychosomatic problems and “modern” illnesses such as obesity and metabolic disorders. Over time, facilities have sprung up at these resorts which demonstrate their traditional know-how and their highly specialised knowledge of the benefits of these essential waters. Whether you come here for a thermal treatment or for a short stay to relax, everyone will find what they are looking for.

HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES • Argelès-Gazost

At the gates of the National Park of the Pyrenees, the waters of Argelès-Gazost in the High Pyrenees, surge up from the spring called “Hount Pudio”. These sodium chloro-sulphurous waters (12°C) are rich in trace elements and particularly in fluoride. Sometimes called “little Nice”, Argelès-Gazost is a very attractive climate and thermal resort. Diseases of the veins and respiratory tracts are treated here. The thermal hydromassage equipment at these thermal baths is unique in France: the Thalaxion Bras, developed for the treatment of lymphedema of the arm. Adjacent to the thermal baths, Le Jardin des Bains offers a selection of different well-being areas.

Balnéa, Génos-Loudenvielle

• Luz-Saint-Sauveur

In the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, close to the Grands Sites de Gavarnie and the Pic du Midi, in the High Pyrenees, the hotsprings offer a superb panoramic view of the lights of the Luz Valley. The care facilities form part of an architecture where Napoleonic history combines with modernity. This resort also has a thermoludic centre: Luzéa welcomes you in a superb marble, glass and mosaic setting, incrusted with coloured stones. Totally dedicated to your well-being, Luzéa blends neo-classical architecture with modern infrastructures, while offering you the magical feeling of floating between heaven and earth.

• Saint-Lary Soulan

monnouvelhorizon.com Les Bains du Rocher, Cauterets

In the heart of the Aure Valley in the High Pyrenees, these thermal baths were created at the end of the eighties. The newest in the Pyrenees mountain range, they combine comfort and technical sophistication owing to their sulphurous waters with its analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities. The thermal complex of Saint-Lary also has a thermoludic centre for children and adults (Sensoria Rio with bubble beds, massage jets, jacuzzi for adults; whirlpools, geysers and cascades for children), a spa for the body and facial care (Sensoria Spa NUXE, one of 25 NUXE spas in the world) and fully equipped sports rooms (Sensoria Fitness).

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ATTITUDES • Capvern-les-Bains

The thermal resort of Capvern-les-Bains is located in the heart of the Baronnies of which the soft and luminous reliefs announce the Pyrenees mountain range. The spring water from this resort in the High Pyrenees is today divided into 3 distinct sections: thermal treatments, dietetics and relaxation in the thermal waters at the Edenvik thermoludic centre. Next to the thermal baths, in a zen atmosphere inspired by the world of the Vikings, Edenvik is a thermal spa, an area for relaxation, fitness and diet advice, as well as a beauty institute. To discover in the spring!

• Beaucens

Near Argelès-Gazost in the High Pyrenees, Beaucens is renowned from ancient times and is recognized for the treatment of pain originating from the vertebrae such as lumbago and sciatica. The treatment takes place in a peaceful mountain atmosphere near exceptional cultural and natural sites such as Lourdes or Gavarnie.

• Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Near Pic du Midi, Bagnères-de-Bigorre was the earliest thermal resort in the High Pyrenees, its Grands Thermes (thermal baths) offering thermal treatments for rheumatic, psychosomatic and respiratory illnesses. A few steps away from Grands Thermes, Aquensis, Spa Thermal, welcomes clients for intense cocooning sessions in an exceptional setting: relaxing areas, oriental areas with hammams and tea salons, Finnish saunas and jacuzzis on a terrace, chic areas & spas... Aquensis spreads out over 3,000 m2 in the 19th century wing of the casino and invites everyone to the refinements of naturally hot beneficial thermal water.

• Barèges Barzun

At an altitude of 1250 m, the thermal village of Barèges-Barzun in the High Pyrenees provides calm, pure air and rejuvenation. It is renowned for treatments of rheumatism and respiratory problems. The thermal baths also include the thermoludic centre of Ciéléo. This area open all year enables you to relax in a setting inspired by the astronomical observatory next to the Pic du Midi. Ciéléo offers a relaxing basin with jets and geysers, a giant jacuzzi with an unbeatable view of the mountains, a solarium, treatments in thermal waters, facial and body care…

• Cauterets

The thermal springs of this resort in the High Pyrenees are sulphurous, rich in silica and very hot – 53°C to 60°C – as they originate from deep under the earth. They have proven their effectiveness for centuries, in their therapeutic applications for rheumatism and ENT problems, in particular for children. A few meters away from the thermal springs, the Bains du Rocher offers a world of original and refined relaxation. This area of 2,500 m2 includes a vast whirlpool, a small basin of 38°C, tropical showers, a rest area built of salt bricks as well as a well-being area with 10 care booths for facial and body care. Outside, the Bains du Rocher extend into a large lagoon with bubble beds and geysers,... and everything against a backdrop of the mountains.

• Balnéa-Genos-Loudenvielle

Located on the edge of the Lake GénosLoudenvielle in the High Pyrenees, Balnéa was the first thermoludic centre to be built in the Pyrenees, created in 2000. Its different universes, peaceful or entertaining each in their turn, make this an ideal place for relaxation. Japanese baths, Roman baths, Amerindian baths, Tibetan areas, Inca areas: the originality of Balnéa is to offer very distinct areas for different kinds of clients, expectations and ages. This vast centre stands out with the fine materials used, combining water, stone and light to create a unique harmony on the theme of baths around the world.

HAUTE-GARONNE • Luchon

The waters of Barbotan in Gers are rich in metallic trace elements and dissolved carbonic gas. The resort is also distinctive for its vegetal-mineral mud rich in vitamins. These virtues have made it possible for the thermal baths to develop two therapeutic education programmes that enable patients with rheumatoid arthritis or venous insufficiency to live better with these illnesses. As for well-being, a thermal spa is laid out over an area of 400 m2 with a decor of blond stones and enamel. Test one of the 20 beauty or relaxation rituals with essential oils. Also draw on all the benefits of thermal water owing to the wide choice of balneotherapy treatments.

• Salies-du-Salat

Halfway between Toulouse and the Pyrenees, in Haute-Garonne, this thermal and climate resort has the most highly mineralised waters in Europe. Renowned for their waters rich in mineral salts, the Spa des Thermes, Salinéa Spa, combines four treatment booths and an aquatic area with a hammam, jacuzzi and sauna. Here in this peaceful and luxurious environment, guided by a team ready to serve you, everyone may develop their own tailormade beauty treatments (face and body care, modelling, hand and foot beauty...).

GERS • Barbotan-les-Thermes

The waters of Barbotan in Gers are rich in metallic trace elements and dissolved carbonic gas. The resort is also distinctive for its vegetalmineral mud rich in vitamins. These virtues have made it possible for the thermal baths to develop two therapeutic education programmes that enable patients with rheumatoid arthritis or venous insufficiency to live better with these illnesses. As for well-being, a thermal spa is laid out over an area of 400 m2 with a decor of blond stones and enamel. Test one of the 20 beauty or relaxation rituals with essential oils. Also draw on all the benefits of thermal water owing to the wide choice of balneotherapy treatments.

• Castera-Verduzan

In the middle of Gers, the thermal centre combines quality care, sports activities and the luxury of a spa. Recommended for the care of oral health problems, digestive and metabolic disorders, its thermal waters combine therapeutic virtues and the pleasures of water.

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Theaqua-relaxation area open to everyone, with a thermal whirlpool (jets, goosenecks, hydro-massage beds, …), spa, hammam and sauna. Well-being is also on the agenda with an area for beauty and serenity (body modelling, facial care …) and an area for getting in shape (body sculpting, power fitness, soft gym…). Classes on aqua-biking and aqua-gym are also offered.

• Lectoure

Set up in an old mansion these thermal baths are among the most beautiful thermal facilities in France. In an exceptional environment, from its natural promontory, the spa offers a wonderful view of the Gers Dales. The thermal baths are equipped with an aqua-relaxation area including a panoramic basin of thermal water with a jacuzzi, saunas and a superb hammam with a dome and overhead lighting. They also provide a well-being area offering varied treatments for half a day or several days, as well as a beauty area (body care, modelling, aesthetic care …).

ARIEGE • Ax-les-Thermes

This dynamic resort in Ariège has two thermal spas. Its waters, the hottest in the Pyrenees (72°C to 78°C), allows for the efficient treatment of rheumatic pathologies as well as respiratory problems. The Thermoludic Centre of the Bains du Couloubret is ideal for relaxing after a walk in the mountains or for unwinding after skiing all day. This area deftly plays the whole repertory of the pleasures of water in the modern centres: geysers, counter-currents, cloak showers, gooseneck hydro-massage, bubbles, massage jets...

• Ussat-les-Bains

In the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees, the special qualities of the waters of Ussat, antispasmodic, sedative, harmonising, rejuvenating and healing, have made this thermal resort a centre for nervous balance and hypersensitivity. This resort has developed fitness packages designed for anti-stress relaxation. Also discover: discovery day passes, modelling (with essential oils, or with Ussat’s special mineral cream or with hot stones), not to mention sessions of plant reflexology and Tuina (Chinese energy)…

• Aulus-les-Bains

In the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, the hot springs of this resort, recommended for illnesses affecting metabolism, are supplied from 4 springs, the virtues of which are renowned especially concerning the treatment of excessive cholesterol. The thermal springs also include an aqua-relaxation area (heated 32°C whirlpool, rest breaks, hammam), as well as a well-being area dedicated to relaxation and body care.

PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES • Amélie-les-Bains

In the heart of Vallespir at Amélie-les-Bains, at one of the earliest thermal resorts in France located in the Eastern Pyrenees where the sulphur springs have been venerated since

prehistoric times, rheumatic and respiratory problems are treated in the Roman thermal baths as well as at the Mondony thermal baths.

• La Preste-les-Bains

A the gates of Spain, in the Eastern Pyrenees at Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste in the Tech Valley, the presence of radioactive sulphur springs surging up at 44°C enabled the development of an important thermal resort in the 19th century. The beneficial treatment of urinary and metabolic disorders, completed by treatment of rheumatic pathologies, gives this resort a special ranking among the Catalan resorts.

• Le Boulou

South of Perpignan, in the Eastern Pyrenees, Le Boulou is a charming little village where liver and digestive problems are treated. The resort also offers a thermal treatment to improve cardio-arterial problems. A well-being area is also available, as well as a centre for dietetics and slimming for people with weight problems.

• Molitg-les-Bains

In the Eastern Pyrenees, owing to its sulphurous waters rich in thermal plankton – which develops in the presence of sulphur and which also has a rejuvenating effect on the skin – and is slightly radioactive, Molitg is a place where dermatological, respiratory and rheumatic problems can be treated. The thermal spa is equipped with a superb pool filled with medicinal water.

• Vernet-les-Bains

At the foot of the Canigou mountains in the Conflent area in the Eastern Pyrenees, ENT and rheumatic problems are treated in this family resort with the sulphurous waters of this site. A well-being area is also available while an anti-stress care has been added to the list of treatments.

AUDE • Rennes-les-Bains

The hot, sulphur waters rich in magnesium and iron at this resort are used to treat rheumatic ailments. However, they are also used to offer fitness sessions and aesthetic care, especially with the relaxation room offering a panoramic view of the bed of the La Sals River.

HÉRAULT • Avène-les-Bains

The spring of Sainte-Odile d’Avène, at the foot of the Cévennes in Hérault, is rich in bicarbonates and magnesium and is devoted to dermatological problems and the treatment of skin infections. With its modern medical equipment, it has been awarded the Aquacert international certification for HACCP Thermalism. The thermal waters of Avène have an anti-inflammatory, soothing, anti-irritation and healing effect.

• Lamalou-les-Bains

The mixed bicarbonated waters (calciumsodium) rich in magnesium, potassium, zinc and silica at this resort in Hérault located in the Regional Natural Park of Haut-

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ATTITUDES Languedoc, are renowned for the treatment of joint pain (rheumatism) and nerve illnesses. The thermal treatments used have been inspired by the most recent refinements in hydrological techniques.

Modern and Varied Thermal Treatments

• Balaruc-les-Bains

Bordering the lagoon, the Balaruc resort – operating for nearly two years in a brand new ultra-modern resort which also has a superb health care area – is the best thermal resort in France, in terms of clients. Its waters, originating from deep springs rich in chloride, sodium, calcium and magnesium as well as in bicarbonates and in trace elements, are some the hottest and most mineralised in the Mediterranean basin. They have curative qualities for joints and heavy legs.

GARD • Allègre-les-Fumades-les-Bains

Renowned since the Gallic era and then the Roman era - Julius Caesar is said to have bathed there – the thermal waters of Fumades are heavy in hydrogen sulphide, which is why they are so effective. The water rich in sulphates, calcium, magnesium and sulphides which emerges from the spring at 19°C makes this resort set in the Cévennes in Gard especially good for the treatment of skin diseases and problems of the respiratory system, while strengthening the natural immune system.

AVEYRON • Cransac-les-Thermes

North of Aveyron in the heart of the Acacia forest, Cransac is distinctive for its use of natural hot gases which escape from the mountain side, associated with a thermomineral spring that is beneficial for rheumatic ailments. Apart from the relaxing effects of a natural sauna, these powerful vapours lead to the elimination of toxins and the remineralisation of tissues. Since 2016, the resort also offers a night cure for those who are active and wish to care for their health at their own pace.

LOZÈRE • La Chaldette

The 35.6°C water of this resort in Lozère in the heart of Aubrac, full of sodium bicarbonate, magnesium and a number of trace elements, offers sedative and decongestion action ideal for people suffering from problems with digestion and metabolism. A new-generation thermal and fitness resort, it has high-performance general and medical equipment.

• Bagnols-les-Bains

Near Mende in Lozère, this resort, located at an altitude of 900 m and renowned since Roman days, has an invigorating climate, stimulating and dry. The water which surges up at 41.5°C, rich in fluoride, mineral salts and rare gases, is indicated for ENT and rheumatic illnesses. A fitness area is also available at this resort that combines authenticity and a warm welcome.

More information: eaux-essentielles.com monnouvelhorizon.com

Aquensis, Bagnères-de-Bigorre Balaruc-les-Bains, from now on the major thermal centre of France, offers clients its typically Mediterranean climate and environment in a brand new setting with eight different care sections, 1000 m² of basins and 350 booths, along the banks of the Thau Lagoon. In Aveyron, the hotsprings of Cransac have recently conducted renovations to improve the comfort of the patients. Idem at Lamalou-les-Bains where new hotsprings will be drilled. All the resorts constantly pursue their efforts to improve their care and services, designed for users demanding comfort and novelty. In the High Pyrenees, Cieléo, the spa at the Barèges

hotsprings, offers baths at night under an immense cupola symbolising the starry sky, just like the superb hammam at Lectoure in Gers. Thermalism and well-being areas go together well in the resorts of the region. Positioned at the centre of the issues posed by the medicine of tomorrow and the nontherapeutic needs of users, the thermal resorts of the Occitania / Pyrenees Mediterranean Region are at the leading edge. So much so that it has the finest collection of spas, thermoludic centres and wellbeing areas in France, offering innovative and original spa services, often in an incomparable natural setting.

Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ATTITUDES I 13

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ATTITUDES

Winter fragrances With its 13 Departments, the region of Occitania, PyreneesMediterranean is made up of a number of “terroirs”, which in fact make up its wealth. In addition, it ranks first in Europe in terms of products labelled as IGP, AOC etc. with over 250 references. Oysters from Leucate and Bouzigues with foies gras from Gers, Lot or Tarn-et-Garonne not to mention truffles, winter is a season when regional specialities abound. This is without a doubt the most mysterious product on earth: if you know where you might be lucky enough to find one, it is not always easy to know how it develops or why it suddenly disappears. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that over the last 150 years, production has declined by half in France and today is around 30 tons. The winter black truffle, or tuber melanosporum, which develops at the foot of certain oak trees in limestone soil, remains an enigma for farmers and agronomists. An ever present product in French gourmet cooking, the truffle is one of the symbols of the region of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean , where its cultivation is centuries-old. Moreover, every Tuesday in December, the famed market of Lalbenque, in Lot (ranked “Remarkable site for taste”), continues to set the seasonal tempo for the season for the collection of this noble mushroom that chefs cook with brio and passion and even a simple omelette with fresh truffles often remains unsurpassed. Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Aude, Hérault and Gard are the preferred areas of the “black diamond”, which even has a Maison de la Truffe dedicated to it at Villeneuve-Minervois and a conservatory and a museum at Uzès, while throughout the region many festivals and markets celebrate this product all winter long (see opposite). Another star product in winter is foie gras, which all by itself summarises the art of living in a region where eating well is fundamental. As regions where geese and ducks are raised, the Departments of Gers, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne and the Tarn are even included in the IGP foie gras duck zone of the South-West, while Aude also produces ducks and organises its famous foie gras fairs and

that of Belpech attracts thousands of visitors. Eaten raw, half-cooked or cooked, foie gras forms part of French cultural and gastronomic heritage. Also in season and increasingly sought after, oysters from Bouzigues, a municipality classed as a “Remarkable site for taste”, which is the cradle of the Thau Lagoon oyster farming. A century ago shellfish farming in this privileged area was the activity of passionate shellfish farmers, who provide oyster fans with oysters which have firm flesh that is not too salty. A livestock Region, the Occitania / PyreneesMediterranean Region is also richly endowed in farmhouse production, including lamb and beef – with names like the Rosée des Pyrénées (fresh veal meat), Boeuf Gascon (Gascon Beef) and Boeuf fermier d’Aubrac (Aubrac farmers’ beef) – but also in the production of renowned hams, whether they are the salt hams of Lacaune, the black hams of Bigorre, those of Bayonne or the soon to be marketed Baron des Cévennes. Lastly, winter would not be the same without olives, harvested beginning in October and until the end of the year and often crowned with an AOC like the olives from Lucques in Languedoc or the olives from Nîmes from which oils with an incomparable aroma are produced in several departments of the Mediterranean arc. This flavourful fruit gives rise to many olive festivals while the Oulibo oil-producing cooperative in Aude holds tours of its mill. maisondelatruffedulanguedoc.com lestruffieresduzes.fr odyssea.eu irqualim.fr

14 I ATTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Incomparable cheeses Tasting the cheeses of the region, is to travel to heart of regional landscapes and traditions. Roquefort is the most well-known cheese of the Region, a true monument to French taste. This prestigious cheese with blue veins, holder of and AOC since 1925 (the oldest French AOC), is made in the South of Aveyron with the raw milk of ewes from Lacaune. Known at least from the 11th century, it is today produced by three companies which share the natural caves where the cheese is ripened, in the Municipality of Roquefort.The Bleu des Causses is made in the municipality of Peyrelade, at the entry to the Gorges du Tarn, also in Aveyron. The Laguiole, which results from the transhumance of herds of Aubrac cows and was once made in shepherds’ stone cottages (burons), is the last of the trilogy of cheeses from Aveyron. The Rocamadour in Lot and the Pélardon in Gard, are two goat cheeses protected by an AOC and renowned for their flavour and aroma, the first by the junipers the second by the herbs of Cévennes and the scrubland. Lastly the Tomme cheese from the Pyrenees, made since the 12th century in the heartof the Pyrenees, (in the High Pyrenees and Ariège), has had an IGP for 20 years.

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Truffle Market • Lalbenque (Lot) Tuesday, December 6 Then every Tuesday from December to March. • Moussoulens (Aude) Saturday, December 10 Then December 30 and January 22, 2017. • Cuzance (Lot) Saturday, December 10 Villefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, December 11 • Caussade (Tarn-et-Garonne) Monday, December 12 Then every Monday until March. • Bretenoux (Lot) Saturday, December 17 • Collioure (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, December 18 • Talairan (Aude) Saturday, December 17 Then on January 7 and 28, 2017.

Slow-cooked Cèbe de Lézignan (onions), topped with a crust of truffles from Comprégnac Recipe from Sébastien Bras, 3-star chef at the “Maison Bras” in Laguiole (Aveyron). For 4 to 6 people 4 medium sweet onions 1 l raw milk 45 g of grated black truffles 10 g of vegetable bouillon 6 g of olive oil 20 g grape seed oil 30 g of casein 30 g of butter 35 g of fried bread Salt Wash the sweet onions Cut off the outside layers as well as any remaining roots. Rinse under running water. Wrap them in a sheet of aluminium paper with a dash of oil and fine salt. Roast in the oven until they are tender. Insert a skewer through the foil wrapper to check that they are cooked. Cut them in two and put them in a ring mould, then season with Guérande salt and olive oil. For the milk skin, the night before pour a litre of whole raw milk (essential) into a casserole. Heat to boiling point without boiling. Remove from heat and set aside for 24 hours in a cool

place. Remove the skin with a slotted spoon and set aside. Prepare the truffle vinaigrette with grated truffles (20 g), the vegetable bouillon, the olive oil, grape seed oil and salt (1 g). Set aside for a few hours so that the aroma of the truffles expresses itself. For the truffle crust which should also be made the night before, make the hazelnut butter with the casein and the butter. Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl on ice and cool quickly by mixing frequently. At the same time, grate the truffles and add them to the softened hazelnut butter, as well as the salt. Mix with the fried bread. Roll out between two pieces of greaseproof paper with a rolling pin to a thickness of 7 mm and place in the freezer. Trim the crusts to the same diameter as the mould. At the last minute, heat the moulded onions in a hot oven. Place the truffle crust on top and put under the broiler to brown. Sprinkle a few crystals of Guérande salt on top. Serve with the cooled milk skin, the truffle vinaigrette and a twist of the pepper mill.

• Villeneuve-Minervois (Aude) Friday, December 23 Then on January 14 and 4 February 4, 2017. • Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) Saturday, December 24 • Gramat (Lot) Saturday, December 31 • Céret (Pyrénées-Orientales) Saturday, December 31 • Thuir (Pyrénées-Orientales) Saturday, January 7, 2017 • Saint-Geniès-des-Mourgues (Hérault) Sunday, January 8, 2017. • Martel (Lot) Saturday January 14, 2017. • Montner (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, January 15, 2017. • Uzès (Gard) Saturday January 14 and Sunday January 15, 2017 (Truffle Night) • Moussoulens (Aude) Sunday, January 22 (Ampélofolies in Cabardès - truffle festival) • Gourdon (Lot) Saturday January 28, 2017. • Arles-sur-Tech (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, January 29 (Truffle Festival) Clermont-l’Hérault (Hérault) Sunday, January 29, 2017. • Gignac (Lot) Sunday, January 29, 2017. • La Canourgue (Lozère) Sunday, February 5, 2017. • Castelnou (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, February 5, 2017. • Cuzance (Lot) February 17, 2017. Evening market • Claret (Hérault) Sunday, February 19, 2017 (Truffle Festival).

Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ATTITUDES I 15

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ATTITUDES

Foie Gras Fairs Castres (Tarn) Every day until April 8, 2017.

Prades (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, November 20. Samatan (Gers) Every Monday morning until late March. Fleurance (Gers) Every Tuesday morning until March 28, 2017. Gimont (Gers) Every Wednesday morning and Sunday all day until April 26, 2017. Puylaurens (Tarn) Every Wednesday morning, until February. Seissan (Gers) Every Friday until March 31, 2017. Eauze (Gers) Every Sunday until March 26, 2017. Mazamet (Tarn) Every Sunday morning, until February. Valence d’Agen (Tarn-et-Garonne) Every Tuesday from November to March 2017.

Pan-fried duck foie gras, with gingerbread, arbutus berry sauce and green tomato jam Recipe from Gilles Goujon, 3-star chef at “L’auberge du Vieux Puits” in Fontjoncouse (Aude). Serves 4 4 60 g slices of foie gras Green tomato jam 1 slice of gingerbread 160 g of arbutus berries 5 cl of orange juice Salt + pepper

Dry the slice of gingerbread and crush it to obtain a powder. Mix the arbutus berries with the orange juice, season them and place them in a piping bag. Keep 4 of the best arbutus berries to decorate. Then cook the slices of foie gras in a pan, without any fat. Add salt and pepper and drain on absorbent paper then finish cooking in the oven for 2 minutes at 200°C. Arrange on a plate with the sauce, the jam and the gingerbread powder.

Castelsarrasin (Tarn-et-Garonne) Every Thursday from November to March 2017. Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne) Every Saturday from November to March 2017. Limoux (Aude) Saturday, November 26. Thuir (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, December 4. Castelnaudary (Aude) Sunday, December 4. Belpech (Aude) Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Sérignan (Hérault) Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Baraqueville (Aveyron) Friday, December 16. Rieux-Minervois (Aude) Saturday, December 17. Mazères (Ariège) Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 Foie gras fairs. Carcassonne (Aude) Sunday, December 18. Sauvian (Hérault) Sunday, December 18.

16 I ATTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Céret (Pyrénées-Orientales) Sunday, December 18.

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DISCOVERY N Cère

Truy

Le Malzieu

ère

Alvignac-Miers

ST-CHÉLY-D’APCHER

778 m

La Chaldette Laguiole

GOURDON

Discover culinary specialties

Bès

FIGEAC

CAHORS

Lot

S Laubert

St-Chélyd’Aubrac

Espalion

Lot

St-Cômed’Olt

Lot

VILLEFRANCHEDE-ROUERGUE

MENDE

Estaing

CONQUES Cransac-les-Thermes

SAINT-CIRQLAPOPIE PECH-MERLE

RODEZ

Lot

Bagnolsles-Bains

La GardeGuérin

1699 m Mont Lozère

Le Bleymard Villefort

Ste-Eulalied’Olt Sévéracle-Château

Mas de la Barque

Ste-Énimie Tarn

A20

0 A2

ise

Garo nne

Tarn

Sor

Ariège

ON U LI

Lapalme

La Franqui Leucate

Rennes-les-Bains A9

Hers

MONTSÉGUR

Ax-les-Thermes Ax-3 Domaines

2027 m Pic de la Fageolle

AscouPailhères e

Puymorens Font Romeu

Port-Leucate Le Barcarès

PERPIGNAN

Mijanès

Puyvalador Formiguères Les Angles

Etang de Leucate

Agly

Molitgles-Bains Matemalela-Llagonne

Ste-Marie-la-Mer Canet-en-Roussillon

Têt

MER MEDITERRANEE

Etang de Canet

Têt

Saint-Cyprien Tech

Vernet-les-Bains Pyrénées 2000 AmélieSt-Pierre-des-Forçats les-Bains 2910 m Eyne Le Puigmal

Ussat-les-Bains

Arièg

Lez

Le Boulou Céret

Argelès-sur-Mer Collioure Cap Béar Port-Vendres Banyuls-sur-Mer Cerbère Cap Cerbère

Sègre

mix of sugar, eggs and milk. Coupétade can be served hot or cold, covered with caramel, jam or whipped cream. • Taste it here: Bernadette Mourgues and her chef, at restaurant “Le vieux Pont. 8, rue du Pont-Notre-Dame 48000 Mende. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 49 03 05.

Héra ult

Garon

one Gim Arrat s

Gess e

Save

Gers Pique

Gruissan

Port-la-Nouvelle Sigean Etang La Palme de

Aude

Osse Baïse

Echez

Adour

Neste

Pic d'Estats 3115 m

Sète

Aud

Hers

NÉ

Bassin de Thau

Hér ault Marseillan Agde Portiragnes Vendres Capestang Vias Le Cap d’Agde NissanSérignan-Plage Cap d'Agde Sallèles-d’Aude lez-Ensérunes ValrasHomps Le Somail Plage Port Cabanes de Fleury A9 A61 Saint-Pierre-la-Mer NARBONNE Narbonne-Plage ieu Orb

Etang de Bages Etang de et de Sigean l’Ayrolle

NIAUX

Puigmal

La-Preste-les-Bains

ESPAGNE

• Auberge des Lices: 3, rue Raymond-Roger-Trencavel, 11000 Carcassonne. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 72 34. • Restaurant Emile: 13, place Saint-Georges, 31000 Toulouse. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 21 05 56. • Le Colombier : 14, rue Bayard, 31000 Toulouse. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 62 40 05.

Boles de picolat

An emblematic dish of the Region, cassoulet is a speciality known around the world made of beans and cooked very slowly in a clay pot, or cassole, from which it gets its name. As for its precise origin, three cities claim to be the origin of this ancestral dish: Toulouse, Castelnaudary and Carcassonne. In fact, the only difference among them is that, according to the city, the dish is accompanied by duck confit, pork knuckle, red partridge, mutton or goose. • Taste it here: La Belle Époque: 55, rue Général Déjean, 11400 Castelnaudary. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 23 39 72. • Brasserie Le Donjon: 5, rue du Port d’Aude, 11000 Carcassonne. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 25 95 72.

The undisputed symbol of Catalan Country, from the Côte Vermeille to Cerdagne, this meatball dish is made with ground meat, sausage meat, dried porcini mushrooms, olives and bread. It is served with white beans and tomato sauce. This winter dish has become a cooking classic. • Taste it here: La Cuisine Comptoir, 2, rue Colbert 66190 Collioure. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 81 14 40.

Pastis gascon Made with flour, water and salt, the miracle of this pastry from Gers resides in the art of stretching out the dough on large tables until very fine, then cook it with apples. A variation on this pastry is made in Lot. • Discover how it is made here: Croustad’Oc. Chemin d’Enducasse 32200 Gimont. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 67 82 33.

Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ATTITUDES I 17

Petit Rhône

Etang de Scammandre Etang du Charnier Etang de Mauguio

Orb

Lèze

RÉ

CARCASSONNE

Aud

TARASCONSUR-ARIÈGE

Aulusles-Bains Goulier Guzet

A750

Lattes Etang La Aiguesde Méjean VilleneuveCarnonGrande- Mortes lès-Maguelone Motte Palavasde Vic Vic- Etang les-Flots la-Gardiole Pézenas BalarucLe Grau-du-Roi les-Bains Port Camargue Frontignan

Aud

Alet-les-Bains

FOIX

SAINTLIZIER

GAVARNIE MONT PERDU

Trèbes

Limoux

COLLECTION ARIÈGE Mont Valier 2838 m

Bram

Salat

onn Gar

Le Mourtis

3222 m Pic Perdiguère

BEZIERS

Montagne Noire

PAMIERS MIREPOIX

A66

SAINT-JUST DE-VALCABRÈRE

BAGNÈRESDE-LUCHON

Lac du Salagou

MONTPELLIER A75

Sorèze

Castelnaudary Hers

Ariège

Revel

A61 Villefranchede-Lauragais AvignonetLauragais

MAS-D’AZIL

Saliesdu-Salat

Lunas

Orb

Beaucaire

Bellegarde St-Gilles Vauvert

GO LF

Baïse

Tarn

A20

Gél

Gim one

Vidourle

A61

PIC DU MIDI Loudervielle Peyragudes

d Gar

Gélise

rdo Dou

A62

Garon

Val Louron Superbagnères

don

e Garonn

A dessert typical of northern Lozère, coupétade is made of French toast, eggs and prunes, and is cooked in the oven in an earthenware dish, or coupet from which it gets its name. A party dessert, it is made in large quantities for big events. A peasant dish, the leftovers can be re-used easily by arranging a layer of prunes in a dish then slices of dry bread, the whole covered with a

Jon

A62

Ger

de Pau

Hautacam Barèges 2872 m

Uzès

Gard

A75

Lamaloules-Bains

Agout

Thoré

Barbazan

SAINTGAUDENS

4 Capvern- A6 les-Bains

Gave

Veal, kidney fat and lemon zest make up the filling for this pastry invented by Lord Clive. In the 18th century the former Governor of India invented this sweet and savoury dish that has become the emblem of this city of Hérault. • Taste it here: Confiserie Quatrefages, 3, rue Conti 34120 Pézenas. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 98 16 29.

LODEVE

Thoré

Cassoulet

Coupétade

CASTRES SORÈZEREVELSAINT-FERRÉOL

Girou

Adou

Luz-Saint-Sauveur Luz-Ardiden

ault

NÎMES

1117 m Roc de la Layre

A64 RamonvilleSaint-Agne

MURET

SAINT-BERTRANDDE-COMMINGES

Lannemezan

BAGNERESDE-BIGORRE

Beaucens

Hér

Sorgue

Avèneles-Bains

Mont de Lacaun 1267 m

Agout

Giro A68

TOULOUSE

Arros

ARGELESGAZOST

The 13 departments of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean offer a broad palette of culinary specialities that are the envy of many other regions. Many dishes are winter classics, some of which have become international icons.

Petit pâté de Pézenas

Arr

392 m

St-Lary-Soulan

Simple mashed potatoes flavoured with fresh tome cheese from Laguiole, aligot is a typical dish from Aubrac, which the monks served to the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This is a simple and friendly dish, but it takes a really deft hand to be able to stretch the melted cheese in long, spectacular pulls. • Taste it here: Buron du Bès, Pont du Gournier 48260 Recoules-d’Aubrac. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 41 75. • Hôtel-restaurant Gilles Moreau, 2, allée de l’Amicale 12210 Laguiole. Tel. 33 (0)4 65 44 31 11.

SYLVANÈS

MIRANDE

TARBES

A64

Prat-Peyrot

Dadou

Save

Vignemale 3298 m

Made of cod, milk and olive oil, this speciality is the symbol of age-old trade routes. The origin of this chowder from Nîmes was the in-kind trade of the Atlantic fishermen who came to get salt from the salt pans at the Salins du Midi d’Aigues-Mortes. • Buy it here: Maison de la Brandade, 18, rue Émile Jamais 30000 Nîmes. Tel. 33 (0)4 34 28 67 43.

ALBI

ats

Save

LOURDES

Dourbie

LE VIGAN

ROQUEFORT

Dadou

Cauterets

Aligot

CARMAUX

A68

AUCH MARCIAC

ALES

Tarn

Castéra-Verduzan

Adour

CAUTERETS PONT D’ESPAGNE

Brandade de Nîmes

Meyrueis

CORDES-SUR-CIEL

Dourdou

Flaran Valencesur-Baïse

FLARAN BAÏSE ARMAGNAC

bie

Dour

Aveyron

MONTAUBAN Gers

Douze

These dishes which make the region

MILLAU

Tarn

Allègre-les-Fumades

1565 m Tarno

MOISSAC

Cèze

Jonte

Tarn

Peyre

CASTELSARRASIN

Lectoure

Lac de Pareloup

Lemboula

Garonne

CONDOM

Mid

VIADUC DE MILLAU

Viaur

NAJAC

Gar

Séoune

Barbotanles-Thermes

r Viau

Aveyro

A20

Ardèche

FLORAC

A7 5

Aveyron

LANGOGNE

1448 m

Lot é

Cél

Lot

Les Bouviers

Nasbinals

A20

Allie

Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole AumontAubrac

Truyè

ezac

Dordog

ROCAMADOUR

Chass

VALLÉE DE LA DORDOGNE

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ATTITUDES

SÉBASTIEN BRAS MAISON BRAS

GILLES GOUJON AUBERGE DU VIEUX PUITS

BERNARD BACH LE PUITS SAINT-JACQUES

MICHEL KAYSER ALEXANDRE

FRANCK PUTELAT LE PARC FRANCK PUTELAT

SOUSCEYRAC SAINT-CÉRÉ

Gastronomy

LACAVE FIGEAC

SAINT-MÉDARD

CAHORS

Stars for excellence With 42 award-winning restaurants, the Region of Occitania / PyreneesMediterranean is one of those territories that is generously endowed with distinctions by the famous Michelin guide. Rarity: the territory even has two chefs who have reached the summit with Sébastien Bras at Laguiole in Aveyron and Gilles Goujon at Fontjoncouse in Aude, each of whom was awarded 3 stars. Better: the two cooks appear regularly at the top rankings of the best chefs in the world. While these two chefs are the symbols of high-class gourmet cooking in the region and even throughout France, many other restaurant owners have also been rewarded with stars. We also have 2-star chefs in Aude, Gard, Gers and Haute-Garonne and many award-winning chefs in most departments. All have succeeded, with hard work and dedication, in affirming their identity. These flavour-crazy chefs have lifted to French gourmet heaven this southern cooking which rhymes with sunshine. However, a new generation of chefs is already rising in the Region, offering cooking that focuses on local products and is full of flavour. Over 75 of them have already received the distinction of “Bib Gourmand” which is also awarded by the Michelin guide for restaurants offering excellent quality for the price.

SAUVET DE-ROUE

CASTELSARRASIN MONTAUBAN ALBI

CONDOM

AUCH

PUJAUDRAN

TOULOUSE

MIRANDE MURET

TARBES SAINTGAUDENS ARGELESGAZOST

BAGNERESDE-BIGORRE

PAMIERS SAINTGIRONS

FOIX

AULON

MONTNER

18 I ATTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

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GERS (32)

LOZÈRE (48)

•L’Isle-Jourdain / Pujaudran Le Puits Saint-Jacques Chef : Bernard Bach •Condom La Table des Cordeliers Chef : Eric Sampietro

•Aumont-Aubrac Cyril Attrazic Chef : Cyril Attrazic

LOT (46) MICHEL SARRAN RESTAURANT MICHEL SARRAN

•Lacave Château de la Treyne Chef : Stéphane Andrieux •Lacave Pont de l’Ouysse Chef : Stéphane Chambon •Saint-Céré Les Trois soleils de Montal Chef : Frédérik Bizat •Saint-Médard Le Gindreau Chef : Pascal Bardet •Sousceyrac Au déjeuner de Sousceyrac Chef : Patrick Lagnes

YANNICK DELPECH L’AMPHITRYON

AUMONT-AUBRAC

CONQUES

LAGUIOLE

MENDE

BELCASTEL BOZOULS RODEZ

FLORAC

SAUVETERREDE-ROUERGUE

ALÈS MILLAU

UZÈS LE VIGAN

VILLENEUVE-LÈS-AVIGNON

ALBI

GIGNAC

PUJAUT

NÎMES NÎMES/GARONS

LODÈVE

MONTPELLIER

CASTRES

SÈTE BÉZIERS

LASTOURS NARBONNE CARCASSONNE

FONTJONCOUSE

PYRÉNÉESORIENTALES (66)

LIMOUX

BÉLESTA PRADES

PERPIGNAN COLLIOURE BANYULS CÉRET

•Banyuls Le Fanal Chef : Pascal Borrell •Bélesta La Coopérative Chef : Laurent Lemal •Collioure La Balette Chef : Frédéric Bacquié •Montner Auberge du Cellier Chef : Pierre-Louis Marin •Perpignan La Galinette Chef : Christophe Comes

AVEYRON (12) •Belcastel Le Vieux Pont Chef : Nicole Fagegaltier •Laguiole Bras Chef : Sébastien Bras •Bozouls Le Belvédère Chef : Guillaume Viala •Rodez Goûts et couleurs Chef : Jean-Luc Fau •Sauveterre-de-Rouergue Le Sénéchal Chef : Michel Truchon •Conques Moulin de Cambelong Chef : Hervé Busset

AUDE (11) •Fontjoncouse Auberge du Vieux Puits Chef : Gilles Goujon •Carcassonne Le Parc Franck Putelat Chef : Franck Putelat •Carcassonne La Barbacane Chef : Jérôme Ryon •Carcassonne Domaine d’Auriac Chef : Philippe Deschamps •Lastours Le Puits du Trésor Chef : Jean-Marc Boyer •Narbonne La Table Saint-Crescent Chef : Lionel Giraud

GARD (30) HAUTE-GARONNE (31) •Toulouse Michel Sarran Chef : Michel Sarran •Toulouse/Colomiers L’Amphitryon Chef : Yannick Delpech •Toulouse Les Jardins de l’Opéra Chef : Stéphane Tournié •Toulouse Py-R Chef : Pierre Lambinon •Toulouse/ Aureville En Marge Chef : Frank Renimel •Toulouse/ Quint-Fonsegrives En Pleine Nature Chef : Sylvain Joffre •Toulouse/ CastanetTolosan La Table des Merville Chef : Thierry Merville •Toulouse/ Rouffiac-Tolosan Ô Saveurs Chefs : David Biasibetti et Daniel Gonzalez

•Nîmes/Garons Alexandre Chef : Michel Kayser •Nîmes Jérôme Nutile Chef : Jérôme Nutile •Pujaut Entre vigne et garrigue Chef : Serge Chenet •Uzès La Table d’Uzès Chef : Christophe Ducros •Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Le Prieuré Chef : Fabien Fage

HÉRAULT (34) •Béziers Octopus Chef : Fabien Lefebvre •Gignac De Lauzun Chef : Matthieu de Lauzun •Montpellier La Réserve Rimbaud Chef : Charles Fontès •Sète La Coquerie Chef : Anne Majourel

Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ATTITUDES I 19

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ATTITUDES

“Marché Victor-Hugo”, Toulouse

Indoor and outdoor markets The beating heart of regional gastronomy In a region where agriculture and wine production are the pillars of the economy, the indoor and outdoor markets play role that is more than symbolic. Today, if the outdoor markets continue to prosper in every season, the covered markets dedicated to food products and focused on regional products are the reflection of the local gourmet culture. With its three indoor markets, Toulouse provides essential supplies for gourmets. The most impressive is without a doubt the Victor Hugo market, in the city centre, that accommodates 80 stalls offering all the specialities of the South-West as well as five restaurants that are open for lunch. At Montpellier, which also has three indoor markets, the Halle Castellane, which was renovated fifteen years ago, accommodates 26 stalls offering a fine showcase of local gourmet foods, from Lozère meat to oysters from the Thau Lagoon. At Tarbes, the city has two markets, of which the astonishing Halle Brauhauban and its 36 stalls offer the best products of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Castres, Béziers, Lourdes, Millau, Carcassonne, Cahors, Lunel and Sète also have indoor markets

where amateur producers of good food and quality products are on sale. In Nîmes, the indoor markets with their 75 stalls remain the vital centre of gourmet excellence while in Narbonne, the Halles Baltard have been the soul of the city since 1901, including several restaurants where much of the local life takes place! Proof of the importance of these places, in December, Perpignan, which does not have an indoor market, will open the Halles Vauban modelled on the Narbonne indoor market.

Good to know Night markets in Toulouse

In Toulouse you can go shopping at night, in a festive atmosphere with tastings and musical events. For the last year, the Victor Hugo market, located in the city centre, organises its “Night Market” four times a year. While the indoor markets usually are open from 6 am to 2 pm, 80 merchants open their stalls from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, along with neighbouring boutiques, for a gourmet evening in a festive atmosphere. marche-victor-hugo.fr

20 I ATTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Sud de France, the trademark of the Region that has proven itself

Today a commercial strike force, the Sud de France trade mark which celebrates its 10th birthday in 2016, represents 3,000 regional businesses and producers and has over 9,000 products and wines on its catalogue. Black truffles, foie gras, Bouzigues oysters, cheeses, etc. already benefit or may benefit from now on from the Sud de France brand name as part of its 22 current product specifications. Over the last ten years, the Sud de France trademark has taken it place among the brands of medium and large retailers in 3,000 outlets in France and throughout the world. The trademark has built a reputation and a common identity for products of the region, notably on the international scene. Its values are the reflection of those of the Occitania, Pyrenees-Mediterranean Region: Mediterranean art of living, mountain authenticity, quality of products and local know-how. sud-de-france.com

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ALTITUDES Pyrénées, Cévennes, Aubrac and Margeride: so many mountains offering unequalled winter activities, from skiing to hiking by way of hotsprings and gourmet food.

From the Pyrénées to Cévennes, by way of Margeride and Aubrac, the mountains of the Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean destination offer a unique and authentic setting for holidays under a mantle of snow. This territory of valleys and mountains including prestigious summits such as the Pic du Midi at Bigorre, Carlit, Canigou and the Pic de Vignemale (which, with the Pique Longue at an altitude of 3,298 m is the highest peak of the French Pyrenees and the Occitania Region) is in winter an ideal playground for fans of skiing and its many disciplines (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, etc.). It is also a choice destination for hiking in snowshoes, for sleigh rides, relaxing moments in balneotherapy or a Thalasso experience.

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ALTITUDES “Catalan Snow” 2016/2017 season

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BAGNÈRESDE-LUCHON 3222 m Pic Perdiguère

GAVARNIE MONT PERDU

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Rennes-les-Bains

Mont Valier 2838 m

TARASCONSUR-ARIÈGE

Aulusles-Bains Goulier

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Pic d'Estats 3115 m

MONTSÉGUR

21 22

Ussat-les-Bains

Ax-les-Thermes Ax-3 Domaines

2027 m Pic de la Fageolle

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A combined pass from €187 will give you ALBI access to seven ski resorts: Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000, Porté-Puymorens, Cambre d’Aze (Eyne and Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats), Puyvalador, La Quillane, Les Angles and Formiguères. With this pass, you can race CASTRES down over 280 kilometres of slopes. SORÈZEOnline reservations and information at: REVEL-

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Ski in fabulous landscapes Spread out over five departments, the Pyrenees resorts cover a large part of the mountain range as far as the sea. Choose from a total of 33 resorts with alpine ski runs between altitudes of 1,400 and 2,500 m on average and for cross-country skiing, between 1,100 and 1,500 m, both set in superb landscapes on the roof of the Pyrenees mountain range.

Puigmal

La-Preste-les-Bains

ESPAGNE Pyrenees ski passes Ski the Pyrenees with N'PY, which offers 8 ski resorts to suit your every whim, including 6 in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean: Cauterets, Peyragudes, Piau Engaly, Grand Tourmalet (Barèges La Mongie), Pic du Midi, Luz Ardiden, Gourette and La Pierre SaintMartin. Your N’PY ski pass gives you access to all the ski runs at the N'PY ski grounds. Reserve your ski pass in advance at

n-py.com and select the package that

suits you best: family/tribe ski pass, extended weekend ski pass and Mes premiers pas au ski (My First Steps ski pass).

Ski resorts High Pyrenees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Val d'Azun Cauterets Hautacam Luz-Ardiden Gavarnie Grand Tourmalet / La Mongie Piau-Engaly Campan Payolle Saint-Lary Val-Louron Nistos Peyragudes

Haute-Garonne 13 14 15

Bourg-d’Oueil Luchon-Superbagnères Le Mourtis

Ariège 16 17 18 19

Guzet Etang de Lers Goulier Pyrénées Beille

22 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

20 21 22 23 24

Ax 3 Domaines Monts d'Olmes Le Chioula Ascou-Pailhères Mijanès-Donezan

Aude

25 Camurac

Eastern Pyrenees 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Porté-Puymorens Espace Cambre-d'Aze Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 Les Angles Formiguères Puyvalador La Quillane Nordic Resort of Capcir

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ALTITUDES

PyrEnEES rESOrTS All kinds of skiing Want to see some mountains this winter? The Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean Region offers destinations that are each more attractive than the last. And the options to keep everyone happy are endless. Of course there’s skiing, from the High Pyrenees to the Eastern Pyrenees by way of Haute-Garonne, Ariège and Aude. However, the resorts also undertake every year in a formidable programme of modernisation in order to respond to the wishes of families, fans of excitement, experienced skiers, beginners and all the non-skiers who want to have fun in the snow. Nearly all the resorts now have a snowpark; have created trails for snowshoeing; have sledding areas or hiking trails for nature lovers... Activities offered are often very novel: night skiing, boardercross, dogsled rides, ice canyoning… impossible to be bored in the Pyrenees. To choose the best Pyrenees resort, follow this guide! Good spots for raclette cheese, the best flat rates, what’s new and the special features of each resort, we’ll tell you everything. For more information:

Information

Val d’Azun

Val d’Azun 1,350 m / 1,600 m

The biggest Nordic site

The Val d’Azun is the largest Nordic site and the sunniest i n the High Pyrenees. Close to the National Park of the Pyrenees, Val d’Azun is a real paradise for Nordic skiing in a mountain landscape, unspoilt and bucolic. Here, pastoral traditions breathe life into an exceptional landscape. The resort enables

you to taste the many recreational activities in a warm and friendly atmosphere, in the heart of an authentic valley. With 2 separate areas, one at the Col du Soulor and the other at the Col de Couraduque, both only 35 km from Lourdes, this resort offers a playground with a great variety of activities:

cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Nordic Park for children with a magic carpet ski lift and all kinds of skiing, sledding, and even rides in a snowcat. Visitor reception is available on both ski grounds and equipment rentals and picnic rooms are also offered. Two thematic trails enable you to walk around to discover nature. The most intrepid may tackle the 18 km trail that crosses from one mountain pass to another, to experience the great outdoors. To extend your trail, the authentic, charming villages in the surrounding mountains, such as Arcizans-Dessus, Arrasen-Lavedan, Arrens-Marsous, Aucun, Bun, Estaing, Gaillagos and Sireix can serve as the backdrop for your “après-ski” fun.

10 ski runs (80 km of circuits and loops) for Nordic skiing (classic and skating). 3 green, 3 blue, 3 red and 1 black slopes between the mountain passes of Col de Soulor and Col de Couraduque. 6 compacted trails for snowshoeing. 1 firing range for biathlon training (equipped with a laser rifle). Adult day pass: € 9.50, Children: € 7.

Food & drink

The resort has two high-altitude restaurants for nordic enthusiasts. Gourmets may venture as far as ArrensMarsous, in Tachouère, to take advantage of traditional mountain cuisine with Souloriflette and duck pot-au-feu on the menu. Les Marmottes restaurant also offers on its Bigourdan menu: garbure (cabbage soup), grilled lamb and duck confit. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 97 49 56).

Contact

Tourism Office. Val d’Azun Route Soulor. 65400 Arrens-Marsous. Tel. 33(0)5 62 97 49 49 valdazun.com

Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ALTITUDES I 23

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monnouvelhorizon.com

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ALTITUDES

Information

Cauterets

Cauterets 1,750 m / 2,430 m

Life after skiing

At the gates to the National Park of the Pyrenees, Cauterets is a mountain village that looks like a city: elegant and refined. With friends or family, sliding sports provide infinite variations in a breathtaking, panoramic landscape that could be the Great Canadian North. Two separate ski grounds are dedicated to alpine skiing as well as Nordic activities. Whatever you prefer, this complementarity provides a

unique charm to Cauterets. The joys of “after snow ” can be savoured along the lanes and the multiple activities offered by the village of Cauterets: fitness, cultural and recreational events for children and adults. With one of the finest snowpacks in France, the Cirque du Lys has exceptional snowfalls owing to its ideal exposure. Moreover it is often the first mountain ski resort to open and is systematically the

last to close. Located at only 12 minutes from the village via the cable car at Lys, Cauterets offers perfectly compacted ski runs, well prepared in advance and safe. The Yéti Park beginner’s area with its 3 conveyor belts (including the longest in Europe), allows the whole family to get started in sliding sports. The blue ski run of the Crêtes offers a vertical drop of 700 m and a unique panoramic view of the summits of the High Pyrenees. Snowboarders all go to Oakley Park, the second French freestyle park labelled with the renowned trademark. They especially appreciate the boardercross and the 20 modules, including O’rail and Stairset Oakley (equivalent to a giant stairway) that is unique in Europe.

21 ski runs (2 beginners’ slopes, 8 blue, 7 red, 2 black). 1 beginners’ area with 4 green slopes and children snow garden with 4 conveyor belts. 15 mechanical lifts, including 1 cable car, 4 chairlifts, 2 ski lifts and 3 conveyor belts. 1 new sliding sports area with boarder cross and 20 modules. 1 sledding area. 5 N’PY Moov recreation areas 4 high-altitude eating places. 1 Nordic site at CauteretsPont d’Espagne with 5 cross-country skiing routes, 6 km of trails for hiking and 4 alpine ski runs serviced by one cable car and 2 T-bar lifts. Adult day pass: € 36.50, children: € 31,50. Special rates with the Npy no’souci [no problem] pass.

Food & drink

Many restaurants are available in the village of Cauterets. Follow your whims for fast, simple meals or typical mountain tables, the offerings are adapted to the agenda of the skiers. Thus, old-fashioned raclette cheese over a wood fire at the Brasero, eating on the run at La Gourmandise, home-made soups at the Jardin d’Oh and gourmet dining at the Asterides Sacca are on the menu at Cauterets. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 50 02).

Contact

Tourism Office. Place Foch. 65110 Cauterets. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 50 50. cauterets.com

Hautacam The resort with original activities Hautacam has all the charms of a family resort: accessible, with superb panoramic views, beautiful sunshine and safe, recreational areas to take advantage of the outdoors and to revitalise. When the snow covers Hautacam with a white mantle, the skiers take off from the biggest balcony in the Argelès-Gazost Valley with a bonus in the form of a view of the Great Sites of the High Pyrenees (Pic du Midi, Lourdes, Cauterets, Brèche de Roland…)! Apart from alpine and Nordic skiing, which can be practised on all 18 slopes (including 3 cross-country) of the resort, the most original activity offered by Hautacam is without a doubt the Mountain Sledding on rails during all 4 seasons, accessible to children 3 years and up. Many events are also offered

Hautacam 1,500 m / 1,800 m 15 ski runs. 5 green, 5 blue, 5 red runs for cross-country skiing, 3 trails (15 km marked and compacted) - 1 green, 1 blue and 1 red for Nordic skiing, both classic and skating modes. 1 track for snowshoeing. Mountain Sledding (sledding on rails) Adult day pass: € 20, Children: € 16.50.

Food & drink

on the ski grounds for the enjoyment of families. The Parc de Loisirs at Hautacam, at an altitude of 1,520 m (1,813 m at

24 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

the highest point) only 30 minutes from Lourdes, overlooks the city of ArgelèsGazost and many villages.

The Hautacam restaurant offers you a varied menu of fresh local products to rediscover the traditional cooking of the Pyrenees. From its panoramic terrace, take in the fantastic view of the Argelès-Gazost Valley (Tel. 33 (0)5 35 36 13 37). Another experience awaits you at the Auberge de Tramassel, where you can taste typical mountain dishes with the feeling that you are in a refuge (Tel. 33 (0)6 64 33 88 32).

Contact

Hautacam. 65400 Beaucens. hautacam.com

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Information

Luz-Ardiden

Luz-Ardiden 1,680 m / 2,500 m

The resort for children and adults

Located 12 km from the village of Luz Saint-Sauveur, the LuzArdiden ski grounds spread out over 60 km of ski runs. Two slopes are offered to skiers: Aulian and Béderet. The snow stadium offers all the facilities for skiing, with the resort guaranteeing “zero waiting” even

during school vacations. Shuttles from the villages, parking at the foot of the slopes, skiing instructors, playschool at the foot of the ski runs, kindergarten, ski school, sledding slopes… everything has been designed to make skiing easy. Beginners can discover the

magnificent panorama from the summit of the resort and when going down again in complete safety on a blue slope over 5 km long. The beginner’s area equivalent to 5 football fields, offers different areas for skiers at different levels. The most experienced beginners, may , have fun on a snowpark with a freestyle initiation area and a mini-cross recreational area. The black and red slopes are for the sportiest. Snowboarders break out in fancy moves in the snowpark with its jump and jib modules and its boardercross. At the end of the day, everyone appreciates the charm of Luz Saint-Sauveur and the surrounding villages with their preserved heritage, their many charms and a pronounced taste for festivals.

Gavarnie-Gèdre UNESCO resort Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gavarnie-Gèdre Valley, surrounded by summits over 3,000 m high is a territory that respects its mountain traditions. This is an essential rendezvous for winter sports enthusiasts! Oriented towards families, the valley offers the calm of the mountains, combined with the pleasures of the snow. Gavarnie: offers six trails marked out and free of charge for snowshoers that enables them to discover this emblematic site of the Pyrenees. From levels of easy to difficult for journeys from 1.5 to 6 hours, itineraries lead to the Cirque de Gavarnie. They cross snowy forests, vast, untouched open spaces, highaltitude plateaus, towering cliffs, magnificent summits, frozen waterfalls and encounter large raptors such as the royal eagle and the bearded vulture. Not to

28 ski runs including: 3 green, 1 blue, 2 blue with panoramic view, 18 red, 4 black. 14 mechanical lifts, including 7 chairlifts, 5 T-bar lifts and 2 conveyor belts. 1 beginners’ area with 5 slopes, 4 mechanical lifts and 2 conveyor belts. 1 ESF children’s snow garden. 1 freestyle space. 1 snowpark with an area for jib, big air, rails, spines, woops, boardercross, events and sound system. 1 approved slalom stadium. 1 sledding area. 3 recreational areas N’PY Moov. 5 km of nordic trails. Adult day pass: € 34, children: €30. Special rate with the pass No Souci de N’PY.

Food & drink

A new restaurant called L’Atelier has been set up in a former fashion workshop. The young chef Bruno Duvigneau offers traditional cooking served on the sunny terrace. The menu is priced at € 32 and offers you a choice of 4 appetizers, 4 main courses and 4 desserts. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 85 22). Luz and Coutumes enable you to discover in the middle of the village of Luz Saint Sauveur the tools and habits of yesteryear. However, the originality of this little traditional museum open to all for free, is that you can sit down and taste typical regional dishes such as Garbure (cabbage soup), Pastet (corn-flour fritters) or a heavy-duty snack: the shepherd’s plate.

Contact

Tourism Office. 65120 Luz-Saint-Sauveur. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 80 58 - luz.org

Gavarnie-Gèdre 1,850 m / 2,322 m 28 ski runs. 7 green, 8 blue, 8 red, 5 black. 1 beginners’ area for adults and children, 3 chairlifts, 6 T-bar lifts.

mention the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie, with its bluish winter reflections which make GavarnieGèdre the emblematic heart of the National Park of the Pyrenees. With its many advantages, the resort offers ski grounds at human scale that are one of the most beautiful and diverse in the Pyrenees mountain range. Astonishing panoramic views of the Brèche de Roland, the Taillon

which culminates at over 3000 m and the Cirque de Gavarnie, and short waits at the ski lifts. The prices of ski passes here are among the lowest in the mountains, offering packs for families and ski runs of varied levels of difficulty that are adapted to experienced skiers as well as to beginners with the green slope called “Les Marmottes”, the longest in the Pyrenees.

Adult day pass: € 27.50, children, seniors, students: € 23,50 . Single day ski pass outside school holidays: € 21 for everyone.

Food & drink

Les Espécières, the high-altitude barrestaurant, welcomes gourmets during the winter season and offers simple dishes made of products from the local “terroir”. The restaurant offers dishes priced between € 11 and € 16.50 in a friendly family atmosphere. Reservations for tour groups at: (33 (0)6 85 57 65 90).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65120 Gèdre. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 48 05 - gavarnie.com

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ALTITUDES

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65 • Hautes-Pyrénées

ALTITUDES

Le Grand TourmaletBarèges-La Mongie

Information

The Pyrénées experience, XXL!

68 runs (17 green, 24 blue, 21 red, 6 black). 30 mechanical ski lifts (10 chair lifts, 15 T-bar lifts, 4 conveyor belts, 1 cable car). 2 beginners’ slopes. 3 children’s snow garden (2 ESF and 1 ESI in Barèges). 1 “new sliding sports” area 1 freestyle area. 1 sledding area. 7 recreation areas N’PY Moov. 6 highaltitude restaurants. 2 Nordic areas: Le Lienz and Payolle

With 100 km of slopes offered to amateurs of sliding sports on both sides of the mythical Col du Tourmalet, the Grand Tourmalet (Barèges-La-Mongie) is the largest ski resort in the French Pyrenees. Almost 300 hectares of snowy slopes to roam all day long. Whether you prefer Freestyle or Family Style, the Grand Tourmalet is the resort for your every whim: alpine skiing, snowboarding, free-riding, freestyle skiing, cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing or dogsledding can be practised by visitors of all ages. Fans of free-riding can take advantage of this sport for experts, in a high mountain setting at the foot of the celebrated Pic du Midi at Bigorre. “Cool” skiers, families

and children can ski on green or blue slopes across the 11 kilometres between each end of the resort, passing by the mythical Col du Tourmalet and discovering the many facets of this exceptional area. They can also try out the recreation modules located throughout the resort and linger in the “new sliding sports” area where a zone is dedicated to them. Champion skiers, if they are not satisfied with the black slopes,

Adult day pass: € 42, children: € 36.50.

Food & drink

can try the joys of free-riding on the many slopes around the ski resort and on those of the Pic du Midi which are entirely reserved for them. Cross-country skiers ski can choose from a multitude of routes. There’s something for everyone.

Campan-Payolle

forest of fir trees in a peaceful valley atmosphere that is ideal for revitalising yourself. This little tourist resort in a magnificent mountain environment makes it an ideal centre for mountain activities: cross-country skiing with 70 kilometres of trails,

26 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

For “après-ski” fun, skiers can go to the villages around the resort. You must drop in to the Assiette de Juliette in Bagnèresde-Bigorre for their traditional homemade cooking (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 91 97 16) ; La Couquelle in Barèges to taste mountain specialities (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 68 15) ; and Schuss in Mongie for cooking with local products in a mountain setting. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 91 90 10).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65200 Bagnères-de-Bigorre. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 95 50 71. grand-tourmalet.com

Campan-Payolle 1,120 m / 1,450 m

Little “Canada”

Located in the Campan Valley, the Campan-Payolle resort will delight all those who like to sample the pleasures of immaculate snow. The natural setting of this nordic area has been protected and offers unique tourist routes around Payolle Lake or in the

Grand Tourmalet 1,400 m / 2,877 m

multiple options for hiking in snowshoes, 50 km of trails traced through the forest and around the lake... An alpine ski run is reserved for beginners, along with its T-bar lift. Enthusiasts and beginners who enjoy long hikes may at any time slide through serene grand landscapes or seek new thrills in snowshoes on the slopes of the Col d’Aspin. Payolle Lake, an artificial lake in the Pyrenees, is located at the foot of the Col d’Aspin at an altitude of 1,139 m. With an area of 10 hectares, it is fed by three mountain streams. Its western bank forms the boundary between the municipalities of Arreau and Ancizan. It is usually frozen over in winter. The festivities for National Snowshoeing Day in January is usually organised near the lake.

50 km of trails traced out and marked, including 4 loops. 4 cross-country ski trails. 9 marked snowshoe tours. 1 trail for hikers (2 km.) 1 initiation trail (2km). 1 sledding area. 1 picnic area. Adult day pass € 9, children: € 7 .

Food & drink

The resort has no less than 6 highaltitude restaurants. The place preferred by tourists: Chez Brenda which serves the simplest, but most effective Italian cuisine. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 41 43 72). L’Arcoch du Lac de Payolle offers as much raclette cheese as you want, with a view of the lake (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 95 23 61) and at the Auberge des Trois Pics, the servings are generous and home-cooked, by the owner, Germaine (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 91 82 16).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65710 Campan. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 16 01. grand-tourmalet.com

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Information

Piau-Engaly

Piau-Engaly 1,850 m / 2,600 m

100% natural playground

With its four freeride areas and it exceptional snowpack, Piau is the resort for free-riders, but it is also the resort for all those who dream of a mountain holiday in an unspoilt natural setting, in the heart of the National Park of the Pyrenees at the border with Spain. Beginner and experienced

skiers, mountain enthusiasts and fans of sliding sports in the natural environment will be happy here. From the Pic de Piau to the Badet Valley, its 104 hectares of trails are guaranteed to have a natural snowpack. Moreover, it’s not for nothing that Piau was judged the resort with the biggest

snowpack in 2015 ! A vast area for beginners is offered for you to learn to ski in excellent conditions. Easily accessible by chairlifts, the freeriding areas enable you to develop or consolidate your skiing skills. The most experienced tackle the other side of Piau, a legendary free-ride route from the Pic de Piau. Lastly, Piau offers a snowpark judged to be the best in the Pyrenees in 2014, composed of six zones for all levels. At only 35 minutes from the alpine resort of Piau, in the National Park of Ordesa and Mont Perdu, the Sobrarbe nordic area is a protected area without any skilifts or buildings. Here, nature takes over. Four circuits at all levels, or 24 km of trails that are completely marked out await cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

Saint-Lary-Soulan With its ski schools, its sledding trails, its recreational areas like the Kidpark and the Patou Parl, SaintLary Plat d’Adet makes every effort to spoil families and confirms its ‘Family Plus’ label. During the school vacations, the Bear Academy provides free initiations for children from 18 months to 7 years old in snowboarding. Hikers are not left behind with hikes through the National Nature Reserve of Néouvielle, its 70 lakes, its black pine trees and its peaks. New this year: a high-

Adult day pass: € 22.50. children: € 22.

Food & drink

To take advantage of traditional mountain cooking for the family, there is no lack of opportunities: the Refuge du Lys and its tastings by the fireside, the Relais de Piau located at Aragnouet (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 64 63) or the Relais de Neouvielle with its jazzy, retro atmosphere are some of the options for flavourful meals. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 02 43).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65170 Aragnouet. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 61 69. piau.n-py.com

Saint-Lary-Soulan 1,700 m / 2,515 m

The paradise of the little mountain dweller With its three inter-connected areas, Saint-Lary is a big ski resort in the Pyrenees which is designed for both families and sports enthusiasts. The municipality of Saint-Lary, linked to the ski grounds by cable cars and gondolas, offers a warm and authentic atmosphere of a real Pyrenees village, at the gates of Spain. Saint-Lary strengthens the snow safety of its beginners’ slopes at Pla d’Adet with 6 newgeneration snow cannons. They make it possible to produce snow at warmer temperatures. The Maison du “P’tit Montagnard” welcomes families with a new nursery, a new leisure centre and an events room. The grounds and equipment that are accessible directly from the ski runs complete the facilities.

39 runs (4 green, 17 blue, 11 red, 7 black). 1 beginners’ area. 11 mechanical ski-lifts, including 5 chair lifts, 5 T-bar lifts and 1 cord lift. 1 ESF children’s snow garden. 1 snowboarding area. 4 free-ride areas. 1 sledding area. 9 recreational areas N’PY Moov

56 runs: 7 green, 26 blue, 13 red and 10 black. 28 mechanical lifts. 295 snow cannons. Thermal areas “Le Sensoria” and “Spa Nuxe” 1 Snowpark. 1 freeriding area, 1 Patou Park for children 1 Kids park. 3 sled tracks. 1 beginners’ area. 1 children’s snow garden. 1 crosscountry ski trail. Adult day pass: € 41.60. children: € 35.50

Food & drink

performance mechanical lift that enables high-speed access to the ski runs (with a vertical drop of over 600 m in less than 6 minutes) and services an exceptional panoramic area on the heights of Pla d’Adet.

The ski resort has several places to relax that offer large sunny terraces and quality restaurants, in order to respond to everyone’s expectations: from the setting of the Refuge de l’Oule (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 98 48 62) to the friendliness of the Les 3 Guides restaurant (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 98 45 38) by way of the wide choice of the Merlans (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 98 45 28), there is something for everyone. This choice is completed by the many restaurants at the foot of the ski runs at Espiaube and Plat d’Adet!

Contact

Tourism Office. 65170 Saint-Lary-Soulan. Tel. 33(0)5 62 39 50 81. saintlary.com

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65 • Hautes-Pyrénées

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Information

Val Louron

Val Louron 1,450 m / 2,100 m

The Paradise for families

White wonderland for children, little jewel of the Pyrenees, wonderful winter garden… words are not lacking to describe Val Louron and its training grounds, where the youngest skiers are royalty. Of course it is smaller than Peyragudes, the resort at the foot of the ski runs offer gentles slopes. Val Louron has this

become one of the most appreciated beginners’ grounds in the Pyrenees. In the middle of the pines, with a 360° view of the Pyrenees, children have fun while the adults revitalise. From the colourful day care centre to the immaculate ski runs for experts, everything has been designed for the well-being and

serenity of families. For the resort’s anniversary, people celebrating their fortieth birthday in 2017 may ski for free during this season (on presentation of an ID card). Moreover, Val Louron has set up a week of festivities from February 7 to 13. A recognised reference in the Pyrenees in terms of learning and accessibility, the resort offers children a total of 20 slopes, including 7 green and 6 blue. And even if the slopes at the top of the grounds offer champion skiers real thrills, Val Louron remains above all a site that is particularly prized by families and beginner skiers. Higher up, the panoramic circuits offer an unbeatable view over the valley enabling you to discover the distant peaks of Néouvielle, Arbizon, Hourgade and Abeillé.

nistos

Adult day pass: € 28.50, children: € 22. Monday to Friday except school holidays: single price of € 18 per day.

Food & drink

The villages of Loudenvielle, Genos, Avajan and Germ are some of the “après-ski” destinations for fine dining. L’Oustaou at Loudenvielle offers a terrace, an ideal restaurant for sunny days (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 08 24) while the Auberge du Château at Génos offers a warm and authentic setting (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 40 92 02). At the Relais d’Avajan, the menu features family cooking and regional specialities (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 99 67 08).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65510 Loudenvielle. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 99 95 35. val-louron-ski.com

Nistos 1,600 m / 1,800 m 8 trails (55 km of loops). 1 green, 2 blue, 4 red and 1 black for Nordic skiing, both classic and skating. 1 Kids park. 3 circuits for hikers and snowshoers. 2 sledding parks. 1 trail dedicated to the laser biathlon.

Divinely Pyrénées Nistos is a real island of beauty off the Pyrenees, where nature is accessible to all. With its dominant position and a great variety of slopes on ridges, on plateaus or in forests for this nordic area offering a unique panoramic view of the main Pyrenean summits: Aneto mountain, Pic du Midi at Bigorre, Arbizon and Maladetta. This magnificent site located in the heart of the Pyrenees, between the altitudes of 1600 and 1800 m is a ski ground with an exceptional snowpack. A holiday at Nistos offers the opportunity for traditional activities like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but also to try out more original sports like dogsledding, the biathlon or the skating rink. The day can be extended with a night in an igloo

20 runs (7 green, 6 blue, 6 red, 1 black). 1 beginners’ area. 10 mechanical ski lifts including 3 chair lifts, 1 conveyor belt and 6 T-bar lifts.

Adult day pass: € 9, children: € 6.

Food & drink

or simply a good garbure by the fire. And at Nistos, skiing does not necessarily stop at the end of the day. You can also ski at night! Under a starry sky, skiing takes on a new dimension, strong and original. Skiing under the starstudded dome is a rare moment, where the mountains take on a different look… You slide

28 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

differently, sampling the pleasure of going down the slopes in an atmosphere that is a bit mysterious and unusual. Magic awaits you, and many skiers allow themselves to be tempted by this experience, ideal for having fun with friends or family. So why don’t you try it out, this special style of skiing?

After a full day on the trails at Nistos, there’s nothing like a tasty garbure (cabbage soup) or a homemade tartiflette to revitalise. L’Arixo is the only high-altitude bar-restaurant at the resort. It is made up of two rooms enabling you to savour an authentic Pyrenees cuisine in front of the fire. Guy, he master of the house, may also concoct these little flavourful dishes to share in the downy comfort of the “refuge” accommodation of the resort. (Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 74 00).

Contact

Tourism Office. 65150 Nistos. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 39 74 34. nistos-ski.fr

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Information Peyragudes 1,600 m / 2,400 m

Zen skiing for the whole family

On one side the Haute-Garonne, on the other the High Pyrenees. Overhung by summits over 3000 m in altitude, the Peyragudes resort guarantees maximum sunshine owing to its two runs and villages at the “foot

of the slopes”: Agudes and Peyresourde. At Peyragudes, everything has been designed so that skiing rhymes with pleasure. Beginning skiers go at their own pace on both areas that are reserved for them while

the most experienced have fun on one of the three freestyle areas and the 51 trails of the resort… This year, the resort has created a panoramic blue trail to ensure you return with your skis on from the top of the Sérias chairlift towards the Balestas altiport, at the entry to the Peyresourde resort. To celebrate 20 years of filming scenes at the altiport for the James Bond film “Tomorrow never dies”, This trail is now called the “007”. The zen attitude of Peyragudes was bolstered in 2015 by the opening of a mountain spa called “Spassio by Balnéa” at the foot of the slopes. Peyragudes was the first French resort to obtain in 2015, the ISO 50001 certification (system for the management of energy) and in 2016, it became the fourth resort of the Pyrenees mountains to be awarded the label “Family +”.

Bourg-d’Oueil

Adult day pass: € 39.50, children: € 34.

Food & drink

For refreshments after a day of skiing or to energize at midday, a variety of pubs and restaurants respond the wishes of tourists at the Peyragudes resort. High-altitude restaurant, crepe restaurant, traditional pub, tapas, fast food, bar-restaurant with atmosphere… at the foot of the slopes or nearby, the restaurants of Peyragudes and their menus with South-western accents offer typical meals of the region as well as timeless mountain dishes.

Contact

SEMAP Peyragudes 65240 Germ. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 99 69 99. peyragudes.n-py.com

Bourg-d’Oueil 1,350 m / 1,660 m

The human-scale resort At 15 kilometres from Luchon, Bourg d’Oueil welcomes skiers in a superb mountain valley overshadowed by Mont Né with its snowfields at altitudes between 1,350 and 1,660 metres. Its human scale dimensions and its “low prices”, make it an ideal destination for all family activities in complete safety: walking tours, hikes on foot or on skis, snowshoeing treks, sleigh rides, alpine skiing or just relaxing in the open air. This resort is highly prized by beginners and by skiers seeking a fun atmosphere. Six ski runs opposite the village and three mechanical ski lifts offer three levels of skiing, an area for children to play on their sleds and the whole mountain for snowshoeing. Here, simplicity is the watchword! Also to discover, the remarkable churches and

51 slopes (6 green, 23 blue, 18 red, 4 black).2 beginners’ area with 1 rope lift and 2 moving carpets. 2 ESF snow gardens with magic carpets, 1 covered. 2 areas for “new sliding sports”. 1 Fun Cross track. 2 sledding areas. 4 recreational areas N’PY Moov. 17 mechanical lifts including 4 ultra rapid chairlifts.

6 ski runs. 3 mechanical lifts. 2 snow guns. On-site equipment rental Area for camping-cars at Luchon. Adult day pass: € 14, children: € 11.

Food & drink

The resort offers fast food snacks: sandwiches, hot drinks and crêpes (large and thin pancakes).

Contact

Mairie de Bourg-d’Oueil 31110 Luchon. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 75 47. stationdebourgdoueil.fr

chapels of this valley. To get to this resort, tourists go through the magnificently preserved Biches Valley, through which winds a small picturesque road,

bordered by 7 Pyrenees villages with slate roofs. (Good tip: the resort and its businesses do not have a system for payment by bank card). Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean I ALTITUDES I 29

31 • Haute- Garonne

Peyragudes

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Luchon-Superbagnères The pleasure resort

Superbagnères has everything to make you love mountains, as it offers a wide choice of leisure activities. Luchon Superbagnères invites you to discover its ski resort located on a naturally sunny balcony with an incomparable view over the Luchon Valley, the mountains of Maladeta and the roof of the

Pyrenees: the Aneto mountain. Different types of skiing adapted to all levels are offered on the 3 separate parts. The Techous area is ideal for beginning skiers and those who seek safety while admiring the vast stretches of snow. The Lake area is best for forest skiing, with blue and red level ski runs

which are more difficult than those of Techous. Lastly, the Céciré area culminates at an altitude of 2,260 meters. Ski runs with steep drops are found here along with runs of other levels of difficulty, such as, for example, the blue run at the Marmottes with a drop of only 720 meters as well as the red and black big ski runs. What else is there besides skiing? Everything except boredom... Luchon, a real “resort-village” rolls out a red carpet of fun activities: fitness and balneotherapy centre, shopping, snowshoeing, hang gliding, indoor heated pool, open air skating rink, golf, airport... not to mention the atmosphere of festive nights and events with the cinema, the nightclubs, bars and restaurants… Entertainment guaranteed!

Le Mourtis

LuchonSuperbagnères 1,425 m / 2,125 m 32 km of ski runs. 28 runs: 2 green, 13 blue, 7 red, 6 black. 13 mechanical lifts. 180 snow guns. 1 snowpark. 1 cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail. 1 sledding slope for children. Adult day pass: : € 33.50, children: € 29.50.

Food & drink

At the restaurant or on the go, whether you want fast food, traditional dishes or refined meals, Luchon caters to everyone’s needs. For fine dining, The Heptaméron des Gourmets offers a year- round menu of 7 gourmet dishes made with fresh products (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 78 55) and Le Baluchon serves meals made from fresh products in season plus a bonus of a terrace for sunny days. (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 88 91 28).

Contact

Tourism Office. 31110 Bagnères-de-Luchon. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 97 00. luchon-superbagneres.com

Le Mourtis 1,350 m / 1,860 m 23 km of ski runs (4 green, 5 blue, 7 red, 3 black). 10 mechanical ski lifts including a chairlift with four seats and a conveyor belt. A recreation area, airboarding stadium and sledding slope Nordic Area: forest trails and a 8-km route. Nordic skiing. 2 ski schools.

The mountain in complete freedom With an unobstructed view of the most beautiful summits of the Pyrenees range, Le Mourtis is a fun resort in a wooded environment, just an hour and a half from Toulouse at the gates of Val d’Aran. This resort offers a range of activities adapted to families enthusiasts of the new sliding sports to take advantage of winter. Skiing at Mourtis means letting your ski tips loose, whatever your expertise or interest in sliding sports. From novices to experienced skiers, from hikers to free-riders, there’s an activity for everyone. Equipped with modern, high-performance snow cannons, the resort guarantees exceptional sliding quality on three slopes. On skis, snowboards, snowshoes or airboards (sleds of the future), beginners or experts, Mourtis is

Information

Adult day pass: € 25, children 6 to 12 years inclusive: € 18.

Food & drink

On the ski runs, le Louzat welcomes famished skiers with its comforting cuisine (Tel. 33 (0)7 86 53 09 41), as well as ‘le Yéti’, where you can bask on the sunny terrace (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 89 74 55). At the Chalet des Oursons , flavourful and generous meals (Tél. 33 (0)7 82 71 40 07) while gourmet amateurs may turn to la Grange (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 41 08). Lastly, the Tuc de l’Étang is a lively restaurant, where the cooking is based on local products and priced for low budgets Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 60 93.

Contact the ideal resort for a successful holiday! For non-skiers, many snowshoe tours are organised every day with mountain guides.

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Unusual activities are also waiting for you to discover them, like the art of prehistoric archery.

Le Mourtis ski resort 31440 Boutx le Mourtis. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 79 47 55. mourtis.fr

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Information

Guzet

Guzet 1,110 m / 2,100 m

The authentic resort of the Pyrénées

Pine forests and wooden chalets make up the fairy-tale setting of this resort nested in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the Regional Nature Park of the Ariège Pyrenees. This “well-being” resort, located on a mountain peak, offers a 360° panoramic view Its 40 kilometres of ski runs are divided up into three areas,

from the most accessible to the most extreme. The Guzet Snowpark has been redesigned this year to make it easier for freestylers. 6 new modules have also been set up. Pure pleasure for all, beginners or experienced. The beginners’ area of Prat Mataou offers “easy” slopes to learn in complete tranquillity.

In addition, a new trail linking between Prat Mataou and Guzet has been opened up for skiers. New and improved, this trail through the woods and chalets offers a gentle slope in the heart of an authentic landscape which will delight lovers of sliding sports. The “extreme skiing” area, Le Freychet, with its beautiful steep slopes thrills the most experienced skiers. Apart from speed-riding, ski joering or hikes in snowshoes, Guzet also offers a plunge in the hot springs of Thermes d’Aulus les Bains... Fans of gourmet cooking can have an unforgettable experience this season: take a ride in a snow tractor to “Le Chalet de Beauregard” restaurant for high-altitude dining with chef Paul Fontvieille.

Étang de Lers

1300 m),you can see the reflection of Mont Béas. In winter and summer, this is a welcoming site for those who love quiet, unspoilt natural areas, an area for relaxation all year round. In winter, this is a resort for crosscountry skiing (30 km of ski runs) and snowshoeing. The mountains, which are accessible for the whole family, provide fun holidays. When

Adult day pass: € 31, children: € 27.

Food & drink

Many restaurants of Haut-Couserans offer traditional and regional cooking with a marked South-West touch. Among the eating-places at the resort is the high-altitude restaurant, Le Chalet de Beauregard which serves a cuisine of the local “terroir” (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 66 75 99), along with the New Papayo located at the foot of the slopes. (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 04 47 37).

Contact

Guzet Neige 09140 Guzet. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 04 42 81. haut-couserans.com

Étang de Lers 1,274 m / 1,570 m

Between skiing and fishing

At an altitude of 1274 m, the nordic area of the Etang de Lers is located on the Trois Seigneurs mountains, 1 hour from Saint-Girons and 2 hours from Toulouse. Its frozen lake, its 28 km of ski runs and its 27 km of trails for snowshoeing and hiking make this an exceptional site. In the luminous setting of the Etang de Lers (at an altitude of

40 km of ski runs on 3 grounds. 29 runs (7 green, 9 blue, 9 red, 4 black). 15 mechanical lifts. 2 sled runs. 3 km of nordic ski runs. 1 snowpark. 1 kids park. 1 slalom stadium. 1 free-ride area. 1 recreational slope. 1 children’s snow garden.

the nice days come around, alone, with friends or family, a fishing party on the Etang de Lers is the opportunity to spend a pleasant day in the heart of the Regional Nature Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, in the Natura 2000 area. This is the season for trout fishing and hiking! 2 options for tourists in the Department: regularly stocked with young fish, fishing is easy and success is guaranteed. A bit further up is a site for free flying where hang gliding fans prefer the slopes overlooking the Étang. For walkers, an easy hike leaves from the spillway of the Etang to the Col de Dret (at an altitude of 1,454 m). From this pass you can go up to the Tuc du Laguel, or you can continue on the trail which leads to Aulus-les-Bains where you can drink in the beautiful views.

28 km of Nordic and cross-country ski trails; 27 km of snowshoeing trails; 5 km of Nordic hiking trails; permanent orientation course; flora and fauna trail; sledding slope; onsite rental of equipment. Adult day pass: € 8, children € 6.

Food & drink

The high-altitude restaurant at the Étang de Lers is open all day. At Massat, fine restaurants welcome gourmets. The Hostellerie des Trois Seigneurs managed by Stéphane and Magali Polvanesi keeps its promise of a flavourful traditional cooking: Coq au vin, duck, stuffed lamb shoulder, game stews. Meat-eaters will love it (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 96 95 89). Also recommended: the Maxil Café; of course (Tel. 33 (0)5 81 29 49 49).

Contact

Étang de Lers 09320 Le Port. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 04 91 13. etang-de-lers.fr

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09 • Ariège

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09 • Ariège

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Information

Goulier Pyrénées

Goulier Pyrénées 1,500 m / 1,900 m

Nature skiing

Goulier Pyrenees is an authentic site, unspoiled, like the Auzat Vicdessos Valley. At only 1.5 hours from Toulouse and 24 km from Tarascon-sur-Ariège, this ski resort is equipped for all skiing styles. At the foot of the highest Ariège summits, the resort offers great moments

of pleasure for nature skiing at an affordable price. An area for children, two green, two blue and two red runs are offered at Goulier. Here there is no crowding, no irritation, just the laughing of children enjoying their first time down the slopes. Far from the crowded ski centres,

winter sports are practised here in total simplicity, in a real spirit of “nature”, at the foot of the highest summits of Ariège and Catalan Montcalm (3,077 m) and Pique d’Estats (314 m). The snowpack is guaranteed for the whole season, owing to the snow cannons and their artificial snow. Apart from the six runs at the resort, adapted to skiers of all levels, the wide open, natural surrounding areas call for cross-country hikes in snowshoes or skis. This is also the opportunity to try speed riding at the resort or, nearby, crosscountry skiing and even mountain climbing on the frozen waterfalls. To vary your pleasures, some may be tempted by Via Ferrata, potholing or horse riding in the indoor riding ring, while others may prefer to go out to discover the many other Ariège ski resorts.

Beille

Adult day pass: € 17.50, children: € 14.50.

Food & drink

In a friendly mountain setting, the Relais d’Endron at Goulier is open every day at midday and in the evening. With a panoramic view of the Pyrenees mountain range from the terrace, this ski lodge-bar stimulates the tastebuds of mountain-dwellers and also offers a hostel. (Tel. 33 (0)5 81 29 57 96).

Contact

Goulier ski resort 09220 Goulier. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 88 99. ariegepyrenees.com/goulier

Beille 1,800 m / 2,000 m

“Scandinavia” at the gates of Toulouse

Did you know that going to Beille is the same as going to Scandinavia? Located close to Toulouse (1.5 hours) at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Beille offers a 360° panoramic view of the Pyrenees. All along the trip, the landscape changes. Between Toulouse and Foix, oak trees predominate. Then the beech trees appear above Tarascon. Pine trees mingle with the chestnuts just after Les

6 ski runs, totalling 7 km (2 green, 3 blue, 2 red). 4 mechanical lifts. 4 ski lifts. 1 sledding area. 1 daycare centre. 1 leisure centre. On-site equipment rental.

Cabannes. It is only when you arrive at Beille that you discover the birch, the black pine, the heather and the rhododendron. The succession of these vegetal species is exactly the same when you cross Europe from South to North. In the same way, the ptarmigan and the white partridges that are found at Finestre, South of the Beille Plateau, have very close “cousins”

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in Lapland, in the Arctic Circle! Beille is one of the first Nordic sites of France, with its untouched natural environment, its majestic landscapes and its many activities that set pace of the holidays of fans of sliding sports. New this year, Beille has set up 10 snow cannons covering the sled runs, the T-bar lift and the snow front to make sure you have plenty of snow. On skis, snowshoes, sleds, dogsleds or by building an igloo, the entertaining and festive world of Beille is great for families. Fans of contemplative walks, vigorous hikes, skating or biathlons may, whatever their level of expertise, discover “another sliding sport” which offers the time to take advantage of an exceptional natural setting, from the beginner to the expert.

15 cross-country ski trails (32 km). 1 green ski run. Recreational slope. 4 snowshoe trails. Sledding area. 2 ski lifts 1 conveyor belt. Alpine ski run for beginners. 2 nordic walking trails Daycare centre. Nordic Village. Adult day pass: € 11, children: between € 4.50 and 9 €.

Food & drink

L’Abeille Gourmande welcomes visitors with all tastes: traditional cooking of the local “terroir”, pub, self-serve, takeout, crêpes, meals on the terrace… summer and winter, this mountain restaurant is always full. (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 65 10 80).

Contact

Régie des espaces nordiques des Vallées d’Ax 09250 Luzenac. Tel. 33 (0)5 34 09 35 35. beille.fr

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Information

Ax 3 Domaines

Ax 3 Domaines 1,400 m / 2,400 m

For fans of sliding sports

The Ax 3-Domaines resort welcomes those who love sliding sports. They can cover the 80 kilometres of ski runs on foot, on skis and in the snow and allow themselves to be charmed by this resort that is as vast as it is friendly. Breathtaking wide open

spaces, skiing for the whole family and a wide range of activities to find yourself. With the creation of the new Beginners’ Area, all of the foot of the slopes have been entirely renovated and the global reception of all the skiers has

been improved. The ski schools and the snowgardens have been assembled and access for families is easier. A covered conveyor belt of 50 meters, as well as a rewinding ski lift of 120 meters have been installed. High mountain atmosphere, in the forest and between the trails, opportunities to leave the beaten path are not lacking at this resort. In the heart of the resort, on the Saquet plateau, the NFP offers all the riders a snowpark, a safe, friendly area to discover or perfect their techniques. The French Ski School (ESF) and the Ax-3 Domaines resort also offer to help you discover new thrills and to try jumping with this enormous inflatable cushion set up at the foot of the slopes. New: ESF offers freestyle classes with airbags.

Mont d’Olmes

Adult day pass: € 36.50, children: € 27.

Food & drink

For dining, there are several choices, at the foot of the slopes or at Ax-LesTermes. When you have tried out all the sliding sports, a restaurant break is offered on the slopes at Le Tétras or Le louzat, with panoramic views of the whole of the South from the terrace (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 28 33). At Ax-les-Thermes, for a gourmet dinner, you must stop in at the restaurant Le Chalet, in summer and winter (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 24 31).

Contact

Ax 3 Domaines 09110 Ax-les-Thermes. Tel. 33(0)5 61 64 20 06. ax-ski.com

Mont d’Olmes 1,500 m / 2,000 m

Magnificent panoramas The Monts d'Olmes resort is located at altitudes between 1,500 m and 2,000 m. As part of the municipality of Montferrier, it is located not far from the citadel of Montségur, in the heart of the Cathar Country in the Pyrénées . At only 1.5 hrs from Toulouse and 1hr from Carcassonne, the Monts d’Olmes welcomes skiers in an unspoilt natural setting with magnificent views. The ski grounds which spread out over 350 hectares have a chairlift with 4 seats enabling you to access the entire grounds along with six other ski lifts. The resort is equipped with 80 snow cannons which complete the natural snowpack of the resort. 21 km of ski runs enable you to ski according to your wishes, your level or your specialty:

80 km of ski runs (36 runs). 9 green 10 blue - 10 red - 7 black (6 ski runs and a snowpark with boardercross). 19 mechanical lifts. 8 ski lifts – 2 cord lifts 6 chairlifts – 1 cable car - 1 cable car village/resort - 1 conveyor belt.

21 ski runs totalling 18 km: 8 green, 2 black, 3 blue, 8 red. 1 Snowpark. 80 snow cannons. 1 chairlift 6 ski lifts. Adult day pass: € 26.50, children € 18.

Food & drink

Plenty of options for eating at Monts d’Olmes! Fast food or traditional meals at Le Refuge restaurant (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 65 57 51), mountain dishes at Perce-Neige (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 03 83 79), regional specialties at L’Iceberg, options abound for all tastes and budgets.

Contact the youngest can enjoy the children’s area and sled tracks especially arranged, beginners can discover the joys of sliding sports with the free cord lift while the Snow Park, the boarder-cross and the free-ride area guarantee excitement for teenagers. At this resort you can do alpine skiing, but the geography of the grounds does not lend itself to crosscountry skiing Monts d’Olmes

resort is also the departure point for snowshoeing or winter hiking to discover the Pyrenean landscapes. The Col de Cadène, the highest point at the resort, offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the Ariège valleys. The resort can also reveal itself in other ways: night skiing, downhill torchlight parade… many activities are organised for everyone’s enjoyment.

Monts-d’Olmes ski resort 09300 Lavelanet. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 03 89 06. montsdolmes.com

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Information

Le Chioula

Le Chioula 1,240 m / 1,650 m

Skiing to relax

Facing Beille, The Chioula resort is the second nordic area of the Ax valleys. Culminating between 1240 and 1650 m, it is located just steps away from Ax-3 Domaines. Its skiing and snowshoeing trails wind through forests, plateaus and valleys. In

the wink of an eye, fans of sliding sports can go directly from the panoramic terrace to the sled run. Skis and snowshoes are an excuse for a Nordic hike. On site, all the equipment you need is available for rent for the day or for the holidays: cross-

country skiing, skating, snowshoeing and sledding. From the mountain refuge to the village gates, from the mountain restaurant to the nordic wonderland, let yourself be guided by the tracks, trails and snowy paths of this magical place. At 15 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes, the landscape changes rapidly from open terrain with magnificent views of the Pyrenees mountain range to dense forests, splendid when the trees are covered with snow. In this environment where each trail conceals a universe, each crossroads has snowmen to greet, each lump covers some igloos, this ride is full of surprises. An area especially dedicated to sledding on safe slopes provides hours of fun for the whole family.

Ascou-Pailhères

accessible for all levels to taste the pleasures of sliding sports! And if the “Clairière” ski run, a short distance away, is entirely devoted to children, further up, the young hopefuls of the local clubs prepare their future exploits... in complete calm! In a warm atmosphere, children enjoy the playground and the

34 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Adult day pass: € 11, children: from € 4.50 to € 9.

Food & drink

La Marmotte Toquée, the only restaurant in Chioula, welcomes skiers in an idyllic setting, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 03 18 71). At the Col du Chioula, located inside the reception building, meals based on local products are served here. The panoramic view from the restaurant and its terrace will delight winter sports fans in their quest for nature and well-being. In addition, in the heart of the village of Prades, La Bexane bar-restaurant prepares traditional and gourmet meals according to the seasons and the tastes of the region. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 74 81 22).

Contact

Domaine du Chioula 09250 Luzenac. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 20 20. Tourism Office. 09110 Ax-les-Thermes. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 60 60.

Ascou-Pailhères 1,500 m / 2,000 m

Skiing with complete serenity

It is beautiful, this resort submerged in the pine trees fifteen minutes from Ax-lesThermes. For everyone’s enjoyment, family skiing along with freeride skiing can be practised on its 20 km of ski runs. The snow is always abundant and of excellent quality. In the middle of a pine forest, this resort is

13 ski runs totalling over 48 km. 3 green, 4 blue, 3 red, 3 black. 5 snowshoe trails. 1 footpath (Nordic hike). 1 recreational area with 2 sled tracks. Picnic room. Equipment rental. Guarded refuge Hostels.

compacted sledding track away from the other skiers, ensuring peace of mind for the parents. There is also a rest area for children less than 6 years under the supervision of the parents. Ski runs with gentle slopes allow skiers of all ages to learn downhill skiing and to calmly progress. Other tracks, more severe, attract the most experienced who prefer to ski far from the crowds. Every year at the end of the season, the resort organises its “Open Ascou”, where off-beat competitions, discoveries and encounters combine under the sign of friendly fun. The resort also organises workshops to discover mountain trades and enable participants to explore the backstage of mechanical ski lifts and the work of trackers.

17 runs (4 green, 5 blue, 6 red, 2 black). 1 4-km snowshoe trail - 5 ski lifts 1 chair lift with 3 seats and 1 conveyor belt for sledding and skiing Adult day pass: € 23, children: € 17.

Food & drink

The Cafétéria d’Ascou is the only mountain restaurant and is ideally located for lunch at the ski resort of Ascou-Pailhères. The cafeteria is located on the road or on the second floor compared with the foot of the slopes. A large lunch room provides shelter from bad weather and a terrace which opens out onto the ski runs promises lunch in complete calm. (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 88 54).

Contact

Ascou ski resort 09110 Ascou-Pailhères. Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 28 86. ascou-ski.com

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Information Mijanès-Donezan 1,500 m / 2,000 m

An air of “Ariège Québec”

Four kilometres from the village of Mijanès, on the slopes of the Canrusc mountains at heights between 1,500 and 2,000 m, the ski resort of Mijanès-Donezan is a fine alternative. It is rather more oriented towards families, but it attracts more and more lovers of wide open spaces. In the

heart of the "Country of the colour of Nature", it offers a whole palette of activities linked to snow. A ski ground for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, this resort is an “all snow” site. With its 12 km of ski runs, it is the ideal resort for sharing fun with the family and special

moments in total quiet. The 26 km of cross-country ski trails across the forest are set in a landscape that reminds you of Québec! Here, the silent landscapes are mostly sunny and the cotton wool silence invites relaxation. Cross-country skiing is different, intimate, velvet and at the same time so friendly. A total disorientation. To vary your pleasures, sledding and snowshoeing are some of the options for discovering the canton in wintertime. While skiing downhill, children are protected from all the other ski runs for greater safety and are located on the southern slope. Five of the ski runs in the first sector are particularly adapted for beginner to medium level skiers. Experienced skiers may enjoy the upper part of the ski grounds, especially the Orrhy black run.

Camurac

Adult day pass: € 19.50, enfant : € 15.50.

Food & drink

For lunch or dinner, skiers have the choice of staying at the Relais de Pailheres in the village of Mijanès (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 20 46 97), or get away from the ski runs for the Sapin Rouge in Artigues (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 74 26 65); in Quérigut, the l’Auberge des 4 saisons (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 20 42 40).

Contact

Tourism Office. 09460 Mijanès. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 20 40 44. donezan.com

Camurac 1,550 m / 1,800 m

The Pyrenees in total simplicity

A unique winter sports resort in Aude Pyrenees Mountains, Camurac occupies the heights of the Pays de Sault. Forests of beech and fir, wet grasslands and pastures give way to the skiers in winter. Overlooked by the Tabe mountain and its line of ridges between the peaks of Saint-Barthélemy and Soularac up to an altitude of 2,348 metres, this

12 km of ski runs and 26 km of crosscountry ski trails. 15 ski runs 6 mechanical lifts. 6 cross-country ski trails.

family-friendly resort (at 1,5501,800 m) has turned pristine nature into its principal asset. Regarding architecture, the municipality has opted for the authenticity and charm of a mountain village, with a natural approach. The ski lift cabins and snow barriers at the resort are made from larch wood, harvested from the nearby state

forest of Montaillou. In the heart of an agricultural “terroir” focused on raising sheep, where the wealth of natural environments make up an inestimable heritage, winter sports go along with the discovery of the environment. This locality is ideal for an immersion, with friends or family, in the snowy wilderness. The nordic sports, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing areas, cover 9 kilometres. The alpine skiing area has 11 marked ski runs, serviced by four mechanical lifts and 25 snow cannons. There are lots of activities for beginners and children also with a ski school, a sled track, a beginners’ area with cord lift and a snow garden. To discover, the fir tree route stretches from Coudons to Camurac, crossing the great and little plateaus of Sault.

11 marked runs (2 green, 5 blue, 2 red, 2 black). 4 ski lifts. Beginner’s area with cord lift. Sledding track Ski school with children’s snow garden. Snowshoe trails. Marked cross-country ski run. 25 snow guns. Shuttle leaving Quillan. Orientation table. Adult day pass: € 19.50, children: € 15.50.

Food & drink

This resort in Aude has two restaurants: le Pescaillou and its delicious homemade crepes (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 20 30 13). For gourmet restaurants, you should hike as far as Ax-les-Thermes and recommend a break at the Chalet, holder of a Bib Gourmand label (Tel. 33 (0)5 61 64 24 31). and at Chalet refuge (Col du Teil) with its panoramic terrace.

Contact

Tourism Office. 11340 Camurac. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 20 32 27. ski-camurac.com

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11 • Aude

Mijanès-Donezan

09 • Ariège

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TOUr

AUCH

ats

Arr

Save

Ger

Osse

Adour

TOULOUSE

Gim on

MARCIAC

MIRANDE

Arros

Pyrénées Route

36 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

Ges se

Pique

Loudervielle Peyragudes

Val Louron Superbagnères

GAVARNIE MONT PERDU

ESPAGNE

Pic du Midi

COLLECTION ARIÈGE

Nest

St-Lary-Soulan

Your tour begins with an exciting trip in a cable car. Then, 750 m² of renovated terraces enable you to contemplate an incredible panorama over the Pyrenees mountain range: over 400 kilometres of mountain peaks as far as you can see, from Catalonia to Basque country. From the Pic du Midi at Bigorre, 2,877 meters high, the night sky is a sight to see owing to the unusual light and the undisturbed atmosphere. This quality led to it being classed as an “International Starry Sky Reserve”. The Pic du

MAS-D’AZIL Salat

Lez

Le Mourtis

Luz-Saint-Sauveur Luz-Ardiden

• The Hôtel-Restaurant La Brèche de Roland in Gèdre, operates in one of the oldest buildings of the village. The setting is refined and the cooking is gourmet. Decorated in traditional style, the rooms are very comfortable. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 92 48 54.

Save

Gers

SAINT-JUST DE-VALCABRÈRE

PIC DU MIDI

Vignemale 3298 m

most impressive. Over 5 kilometres in diameter, vertical walls 1,500meters high, and hundreds of waterfalls. Facing this exceptional colossus, it is difficult to believe that it is not alone. However, the cirques of Estaubé and Troumouse are also close by. These spectacular rock formations are backed by the grand canyons of the Spanish Haut-Aragon and form together the site called “Gavarnie - Mont-Perdu”, a unique part of the Pyrenees, a sacred mountain inscribed on the UNECSO World Heritage List.

Saliesdu-Salat

SAINTLIZIER

Fifty million years ago in the Pyrenees, erosion due to water and glaciers carved out several natural circular meanders of a rare perfection. Gavarnie is one of them. It is also the most renowned and the

nne

ron

Cirque de Gavarnie

Garo

• Le Viscos is a comfortable hotel located at Saint-Savin, 5 minutes by car from ArgelèsGazost. It has a gourmet restaurant as well as a bar. 1, rue Lamarque, 65400 Saint-Savin. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 97 02 28. • At l’Hôtellerie du Lac de Gaube on the terrace, facing a magnificent landscape, you can taste trout and other products from

A natural hole 40 meters wide and 100 meters high above the Cirque de Gavarnie, according to the legend, the Brèche was opened by Roland, the nephew of the Emperor Charlemagne, when he tried to destroy his sword Durandal by striking the rocks after the battle of Roncevaux. Located at an altitude of 2807 meters, the Brèche can be reached from the Col des Tentes by the Refuge des Sarradets. Depending on the weather and the snowpack, access to the Brèche – a high mountain itinerary – may require mountaineering equipment.

Cauterets

64 Capvern- A les-Bains

Hautacam Barèges 2872 m

Barbazan

SAINTGAUDENS

Adou

Beaucens

CAUTERETS PONT D’ESPAGNE

SAINT-BERTRANDDE-COMMINGES

Lannemezan

BAGNERESDE-BIGORRE

Brèche de Roland

ARGELESGAZOST de Pa

the local “terroir”. Site of Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne, lac de Gaube. Tel. 33 (0)6 74 51 56 28.

LOURDES

Gave

This route will lead you to the most magnificent possession of the Pyrenees: lac de Gaube, Unesco World Heritage sites, the purest observation site of the sky in Europe…

Here, every corner is full of life. The mountain pines cling to the rocks, the cascades rebound, the Pyrenean chamois watch you and the ibex bicker. Higher up, you will discover the splendid Lake Gaube, under the fascinating Vignemale, the highest mountain range of the French Pyrenees... magical ! Many trails and upgrades respectful of this exceptional environment offer several options for hiking and enable you to effortlessly enjoy this Garden of Eden in the Pyrenees In the middle of winter, nordic skiing, snowshoeing and sledding are practised here in a fairyland of frozen waterfalls and fir trees weighted down with snow.

Arra

Baïse

Echez

Adour

On the roof of the Pyrénées

TARBES

A64

CauteretsPont d’Espagne

MURET

Save

392 m

BAGNÈRESDE-LUCHON 3222 m Pic Perdiguère

Mont Valier 2838 m

RÉ

NÉ

Goulier

Midi, a reference among the “Great Sites” of the Region, has just opened a planetarium that is the highest in Europe. Set up in the Coupole Baillaud which is over 100 years old, it has a hemispheric screen 8 meters in diameter as well as 45 seats for visitors to view scientific films. High mountain freeriders can even return on skis by following the two sections of the ski lift to Artigues or by the chairlift to Tourmalet. • You can sleep at the summit of the Pic du Midi, an uncommon experience. Single rooms from € 299/person. Tel. 33 (0)5 62 56 70 00. • You can also have lunch here with Marc Berger: the chef and his team create culinary masterpieces and original dishes of great quality on a daily basis. Pic du Midi (Access from La Mongie) Tel. 33 (0)5 62 56 70 00 picdumidi.com

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Information

Porté-Puymorens

Porté-Puymorens 1,600 m / 2,500 m

The natural exception

Porté-Puymorens is one of the very first resorts built in the Pyrenees in 1936 in 1936. It is also one of the sportiest. Overlooked by the Tour de Cerdagne, which is today only a ruin, the village, which is at the centre of the resort, stretches South to the Carol Valley, the

entrance to which it once guarded. The ski runs, start at an altitude of 2,500 m, flirting with the Pic de la Mine and that of Estagnon, announcing for some a drop of 900 meters, one of the steepest in the Pyrenees. From the Col de Puymorens, you

can try out cross-country skiing adventures at an altitude of 1900 m, but also through the forest, except if you want to learn how to take off at the snowkiting school. For freestylers, new sliding sports have not been left behind with a snowpark of 600 meters long and a half-pipe. A mogul ski run, certified “Équipe de France” is also available, associating speed of execution and jumping techniques. This year, the resort has a new heated picnic room, an impressive panoramic terrace suspended above open space culminating at an altitude of 2,500 m with a long, interactive view. An interactive ski run in the “Magic Forest” has also been set up for you to discover the Pyrenean fauna as well as recreation areas on two snow fronts.

Adult day pass: € 30, children: € 25.

Food & drink

A variety of dining options is available around the resort. No less than 6 restaurants welcome skiers during the winter season at the foot of the slopes and even in the resort. The Castel Izard offers traditional cooking (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 80 82) while La Tramontane will delight those on a budget who want mixed grills on the terrace or the homemade daily special. (Tel. 33(0)4 68 04 89 70). On the road to Andorra, the Auberge du Campcardos cooks farmers’ products. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 57 16).

Contact

Porté-Puymorens ski resort 66760 Porté-Puymorens. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 82 41. porte-puymorens.net

Cambre d’Aze

Cambre d’Aze 1,640 m / 2,400 m

Sunlit mountains The Cambre d’Aze, with its highest summit at an altitude of 2,750 metres, is a mountain with a characteristic glacial relief that guards the eastern entry to the Cerdagne and the Capcir Valleys. Plunging down over 1,100 metres of vertical drop and bordered by two deep valleys: with Planès to the East and the famous Eyne Valley to the West, whose slopes shelter terrains that are favourable for all mountain sports and activities. The ski grounds link the two villages of Eyne and SaintPierre-dels-Forcats. The resort, which highlights its family focus, provides all types of sliding sports. Powder snow, marked trails and impeccably compacted ski runs are excellent for alpine skiing, snowboarding and sledding on the groomed runs. The natural snowpack is backed up with

35 runs (6 black, 11 red, 7 blue, 11 green). Snowpark of 500 m. Freestyle area. Half-pipe. Kite-school. Ski Chronometer. Fun Igloo. Airboarding. Snow tubbing. Snowshoeing. Suspended viewpoint with “feet dangling in the air”. 4 chairlifts. 9 T-bar lifts, 1 cord lift. 1 ski school. Night skiing on Saturdays up to 8 pm.

22 runs (3 black, 7 red, 3 blue, 9 green). 1 detachable chair lift 18 ski lifts, 2 children snow garden. 2 sled tracks. 2 beginners’ slopes. 1 snowpark. Forest circuit. Snowshoe trail. 2 official French ski schools. 1 daycare centre. Adult day pass: € 29, children: € 25.

Food & drink

artificial snow produced by a vast network of 157 snow cannons. Those who love to go crosscountry on skis or in snowshoes will find a favourable site here. Horse riding on snowy trails awakens other emotions. The Cirque du Cambre d’Aze, with its horseshoe shape (Fer à Cheval), dominates the village of Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats, and is one of the emblematic mountains

for hikers. At the summit, you will find a breathtaking view of the highest Catalan peaks, from Canigou to Carlit by way of the Pic du Géant. On the way back, thrills are guaranteed on the “Great corridor”, a descent of over 1000 m both on and off the ski run. Fascinating to watch and fun to try out, downhill torchlight parades are organised throughout the season.

The villages of Eyne and Saint-Pierre-delsForcats are populated with many local producers, farmers and herders who work with the restaurants, offering flavours to tourists with the fine taste of the local “terroir”. Among the places to eat in the village of Eyne : Le Roc Blanc hotelrestaurant offers meals made from fresh local products. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 72 72) and El Tupi serves daily homemade specials. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 75 41). Le Slalom (Tél. 33(0)6 58 33 45 96) and L’Akwaba (Tel. 33(0)6 15 04 30 93) at Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats.

Contact

Cambre d’Aze ski resort 66800 Eyne.Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 08 01 cambre-d-aze.com

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Font-romeuPyrénées2000 All-natural downhill thrills Born of the merger of Font-Romeu and Bolquère, the Font-RomeuPyrénées 2000 resort attracts at first glance any amateur of sliding sports and winter activities. Located above the Cerdagne Plateau, in the heart of the Nature Park of the Catalan Pyrenees, Font-Romeu-Pyrénées 2000 is one of the biggest ski grounds in France that provides skiers with the privilege of skiing in the middle of a fantastic mountain range. The ski trails crisscross the forest where viewing pleasure is added to the thrills of the different routes. Here, you can do alpine skiing and cross-country skiing and also snowboarding, snowshoeing and riding a dogsled. For experts of sliding sports, “night skiing” at Pyrenees 2000, organised every weekend during the season, offers a range

Information Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 1,700 m / 2,200 m 41 km of alpine ski runs and 111 km of nordic ski runs. Alpine runs: 9 black runs, 7 red, 10 blue, 15 green. 1 snowpark and 1 playground 8 chairlifts, 12 T-bar lifts, 2 conveyor belts, 1 cable car Children’s snow garden Ski schools. 1 lighted run. Nordic ski runs : 22 marked runs, including 7 green, 10 blue and 5 red. 1 2-km run with artificial snow. 1 guarded mountain refuge Site labelled “3 Nordiques France”. Adult day pass: € 38, children: € 33. Nordic ski runs € 11, children: € 5.

Food & drink

of new emotions while families can enjoy the Snowpark and the recreational slopes (20 hectares). The Snowpark will host the World Freestyle Championship on January 11-14, 2017. Font-Romeu is also the opportunity to vary

your activities with ski-joering or biathlon laser. For sports enthusiasts, you can try canyoning in hot water or ice diving supervised by certified monitors, a very original activity in water at 2°C.

Gourmet dining is not neglected Font-Romeu with over 40 places to eat in and around the resort. Among the best, La Chaumière serves meals inspired by Catalan culinary traditions (Tél. 33 (0)4 68 30 04 40), La Ferme de Lloses, in the centre of town (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 79 51), offers special cheese dishes and La Table des Saveurs sublime fresh products in season of the best quality in a chic mountain setting. (Tél. 04 68 04 88 49). More restaurants are located in Bolquère.

Contact

Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via 66120 Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 30 68 30. Bolquère-Pyrénées 2000 66210 Bolquère. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 30 12 42. font-romeu.fr pyrenees2000.com

Les Angles A lively resort

At the crossroads of Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean, Les Angles resort has added on a multitude of activities. From the Bigorre Plateau, which hosts ski schools, to the Pla del Mir, for enthusiasts of sliding sports, and throughout the areas of

Balcère and Jassettes, 55 kilometres of alpine ski runs have been marked out through the forest with vertical drops of 800 meters offer different levels of difficulty. The resort has a second Alpine skiing zone including 3 black

38 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

freeriding runs for advanced skiers and fans of open spaces. The 5-hectare Snowpark offers jumping and acrobatics enthusiasts different freestyle modules and several trails (slopestyle, snowskating and a freestyle airbag). For naturelovers, the resort has 36 km of trails for snowshoeing. This is the opportunity to approach the Lac de Balcère, to follow the meanders of the River Aude, to sneak into the hollows of the valleys and forests to try to catch sight of a bighorn sheep or a capercaillie. Les Angles also offers the options of off-track skiing, cross-country skiing, snake sliding, ice-diving, hang-gliding, skating, Tyrol rope climbing or even a visit to the animal park. There’s something for everyone!

Les Angles 1,650 m / 2,400 m 45 ski runs totalling 55 km for all levels: 14 green, 9 blue, 14 red, 8 black. Snowpark with slopestyle trail and modules for tables, quarter pipe, big air, hip, rails, face jump and freestyle airbag; 1 cable car, 4 chairlifts, 2 conveyor belts, ski schools, 19 mechanical lifts. Adult day pass: € 38, discounts on day passes (children, students) € 34.

Food & drink

Chez Antoine offers traditional homemade Catalan specialties. (Tel. 33 (0) 4 68 30 09 21). The Eden cooks fresh fish dishes to perfection (Tel. 33 (0) 4 68 04 33 66) and Le Chalet, a high-altitude restaurant, serves refined family meals in a majestic setting. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 68 38).

Contact

Les Angles ski resort 66210 Les Angles Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 32 76. lesangles.com

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Information

Formiguères The resort in the forest

The 19 alpine ski runs at the Formiguères resort swallow up the wooded slopes at heights of 2,400-1,700 m , with a vertical drop of 650 meters. The resort and its ski grounds of 65 hectares are located two km above the village. It relies on its family dimension in offering a daycare centre for the youngest visitors, discount passes for teenagers and “Tribe Passes” for the whole

family. Also available next to the ski runs of different levels, areas for recreation and acrobatics: sledding, boardercrossing, snowpark, woodpark… Formiguères is one of the resorts in the Eastern Pyrenees that is a partner of the Fédération Française Handisport (along with Pyrenees 2000, Les Angles, PortéPuymorens and the Nordic Nordic Resort of Capcir). Monitors from

their ski schools are trained in how to teach handi-skiing and have dualski and tandem ski pilots as well as equipment for those with visual deficiencies. Two chairlifts allow access to the protected site of Camporells, where the main sports are crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. The route opens out onto magnificent landscapes and the string of blue lakes linked by the crystal swishing of streams at the foot of the highest peaks. Its dense forests, dominated by mountain pines, shelters the fauna typical of the mountains: ptarmigan, but also the Pyrenean chamois, emblem of the Pyrenees, cousin of the chamois… Great Northern weekends with snowshoes and dogsleds on virgin terrain with a night in an igloo are organised by professionals.

Puyvalador-rieutort

19 ski runs (1 black, 9 red, 6 blue, 3 green). 70 snow cannons, 1 beginner’s slope. 1 play area for children, 1 boardercross, 1 freestyle area, 1 mogul run. A ski slope treasure hunt, sledding, 2 chairlifts with four seats, 4 T-bar lifts, 1 free cord lift. Piou-Piou daycare centre. 1 10-ha freeride area Free marked snowshoe trails. 3 skiing routes on marked, safe, cross-country trails in the middle of the grounds. Adult day pass: € 31, reduced day pass (children) € 26.

Food & drink

“Après ski”, the Picheyre restaurant welcomes fans of raclette cheese and rib steak with wild mushrooms (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 40 07). To taste traditional cuisine, meet up at La Tapenade (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 35 10). Les 2 lacs restaurant offers meals based on fresh local products all year round. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 11 11).

Contact

Formiguères ski resort 66210 Formiguères. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 43 75. formigueres.fr

PuyvaladorRieutort 1,700 m / 2,400 m

The friendly resort Puyvalador-Rieutort is one of the newest ski resorts of the Eastern Pyrenees, constructed in the middle of the fir trees at an altitude between 1,700 and 2,400 meters in 1981. Overlooking the Capcir on the Madres mountains – a natural boundary between Aude and the Eastern Pyrenees - its long trails wind towards the lake that carries its name, offering a superb panoramic view of the whole valley and the whole Pyrenees mountain range. With a total distance of 32 km, beginners can practise on varied ski runs, in a good-natured atmosphere. Advanced skiers, freeriders and those in search of unique spots will be attracted by the more technical runs, such as the one at Les Lys, known for its difficulty and its dizzying slope, as well as

Formiguères 1,700 m / 2,400 m

19 ski runs totalling 32 km: 4 blue runs and 6 green runs (including the Grand Tétras [capercaillies] trail of 5.7 km), 7 red runs and 2 black runs, 7 mechanical lifts. 1 sledding area, 1 beginners' area. Equipped recreational areas (boardercross, wood park, whoops, banked bends and moguls to initiate the youngest to freestyle...), 1 certified competition ski run, freestyle airbag located below the resort, free WiFi. Camp car area. Adult day pass: € 26, children: € 19.50.

Food & drink

its counterpart at Les Combes. Fans of powder snow can slalom between the marked runs in complete safety. If the blizzard which blows at Pic du Ginèvre (2,382 m), justifies the nickname of “little Siberia” given to the Region, the sunshine on the trails specially marked for cross-

country hikes in snowshoes or on skis, allows you to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes. Puyvalador is known for its friendly atmosphere and its safe and calm setting, with a view overlooking the valley for an authentic resort at human scale.

At the foot of the slopes, Les Lys restaurant offers you a mixed grill or a traditional Cerdagne meal. (Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 30 19). A highaltitude restaurant, the Atelier is a little chalet with a sunny terrace located below the Bosc Nègre ski lift and offers your choice of delicious pizzas, pancakes and salads.

Contact

Puyvalador-Rieutort ski resort 66210 Puyvalador. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 44 83. puyvalador.fr

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Information

La Quillane

La Quillane 1,710 m / 1,810 m

The little Catalan resort

Opposite the Pic du Cambred'Aze, in the village of La Llagone, the resort of La Quillane is the smallest Catalan resort. Set up in the Col de La Quillane, in the perimeter of the Nordic Area of Capcir, its four ski runs – three green and one blue – are ideal for discovering and getting initiated to alpine skiing in a warm atmosphere far from the

big, crowded Pyrenees resorts! The children’s area is managed by the French Ski School which provides courses in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. This family resort stands out for providing lighting for the ski runs in the evening, up to 8 pm, guaranteeing that the slopes are snowy with no less than 11 snow

cannons and by offering events in the snowpark, where beginners and skiers can be initiated in complete safety to freestyle on the ski-jumps secured with an airbag for landing. It is even possible to rent the whole resort in the evenings to practise downhill skiing after sundown. Après-ski, a trip into Llagone, the communication line between the Haut Conflent and Capcir via the Col de La Quillane, is a must. A bit further North, the Lac de Matemale, an ice-diving site, is resplendent in its green bower, at an altitude of 1600 m., in the royal forest of Matte with its woodland Scotch pines, inhabited with deer and stags. The village of 300 inhabitants with the same name, with the River Aude running through it, has preserved all its mountain charm.

nordicresortofCapcir The highest plateau of the Eastern Pyrenees

In the Regional Park of the Catalan Pyrenees, the Capcir, the biggest nordic site in the Pyrénées, is bordered by the Madres mountains, to the East and that of Carlit, to the West. Its landscapes and immense pine

forests scattered with lakes are full of Pyrenean chamois which welcome cross-country skiers on 130 kilometres of compacted trails. The 15 trails of the Capcir grounds allow families to enjoy a range of nature and snow

40 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

activities: snowshoeing, hiking, sledding, dogsledding, biathlon… Labelled the “4 Nordics”, the area is divided into five large sites. Higher up, the Llose-Clavera at an altitude of 1900 m with a view of the Mediterranean, is equipped with broad trails, ideal for discovering cross-country skiing. One of the three snowshoeing trails leads from the Refuge du Col del Torn to the middle of the grounds. The site of La Quillane-Calvet has added to the cross-country trails a track for dogsleds. The Galbe Valley, the forest of La Matte and the Lac de l’Olive complete the ski grounds of these five trails in the middle of the wilderness. Dogsled trips, biathlons and nordic horse rides are also organised, as well as ponysledding.

Alpine ski runs: 3 green and 1 blue. 1 daycare centre 2 drag lift. 2 ski lifts 2 drag lift. 1 Snowpark. Ski school. Night skiing. The resort and restaurant can be booked for private evenings. Adult day pass: € 24, children € 21. Night passes from € 10.

Food & drink

The resort restaurant welcomes skiers at midday and in the evening at the opening of the resort (every weekend and weekdays during school vacations). In the evening it offers mountain specialties of your choice, an assortment of tapas and various other suggestions.

Contact

La Quillane ski resort 66210 La Llagonne. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 22 25 laquillane.fr

Nordic Resort of Capcir 1,600 m / 1,900 m Over 130 km of cross-country trails. 2 recreational areas with nordic pulley/cord lift, marked snowshoeing routes free of charge, 1 dogsled trail. Picnic rooms. Day pass: € 11, children: € 5.

Food & drink

Two good spots to visit frequently for your pleasure in the heart of the ski resort: Le p’tit resto (the little restaurant) at the Col de la Llose and its fast food (Tel. 33(0)4 68 04 84 79) as well as Le Refuge at the Col del Torn which offers you a local “terroir” menu, with barbecues, drinks and hot dishes... a not-to-be-missed stopover, recommended by the resort! (Tel. 33(0)6 31 11 97 84).

Contact

Nordic Resort of Capcir 66210 La Llagonne. Tel. 33(0)4 68 04 49 86. capcir-nordique.com

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MIREPOIX

TOUr

Limoux

Alet-les-Bains

Rennes-les-Bains

Hers

Catalan Pyrénées Tour

2027 m Pic de la Fageolle

Molitgles-Bains Matemalela-Llagonne

Têt

Villefranche de Conflent

Vernet-les-Bains Pyrénées 2000 AmélieSt-Pierre-des-Forçats les-Bains 2910 m Eyne Le Puigmal

ge Ariè

Puyvalador Formiguères Les Angles Puymorens Font Romeu

Le Boulou Céret

Sègre

For a hundred years, this mythical train of Catalan crosses sumptuous landscapes and serves the big ski resorts of the Eastern Pyrenees.

PERPIGNAN

Mijanès

Aude

Cerdagne on board the yellow Train

AscouPailhères

Agly

Puigmal

La-Preste-les-Bains

ESPAGNE

ESPAGNE • Office de Tourisme Conflent Canigo. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 96 22 96. villefranchedeconflent-tourisme.fr

The baths of Saint-Thomas at Fontpédrouse The Yellow Train Everyone boards it. Skiers from Paris or Toulouse, those from Barcelona, Montpellier or Perpignan, the inhabitants of Capcir, Conflent and Cerdagne who live near this unusual railway. Operated by the SNCF, the rail line links Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol. A journey of 62 km during which you will view dozens of art works displayed in a breathtaking landscape. • sncf.com

Villefranchede-Conflent Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is a perfect example of the genius of the great Vauban, star engineer of Louis XIV. For long a Spanish city, Villefranche was entirely redesigned after the signature of the Treaty of the Pyrenees. It is remarkably well preserved. On the programme for your trip: Fort Liberia, overlooking the ramparts pierced with monumental doors along with the little lanes and beautiful mansions of the city.

The train arrives at the station after crossing one of the most remarkable monuments along the way: the Séjourné viaduct. The sulphur hot springs at Saint-Thomas are the hottest in the Pyrenees. Cooled to 37°C, they are the delight of the “snowbirds”, these visitors who would not miss a relaxing break in the open air and in the middle of winter. Leaving the village, the train crosses the other monument of the journey, the impressive Pont Gisclard. • Tel. 33 (0)4 68 97 03 13. bains-saint-thomas.fr

Mont-Louis The fortified town of Mont-Louis – its name is a tribute to King Louis XIV – is full of superlatives. It is the highest fortified city in France, the smallest municipality of the Eastern Pyrenees and probably one of the buildings of Vauban that has remained closest to its original form when it was begun in 1679. Divided in two, Mont-Louis is made up of a civilian town and a citadel where a garrison is still posted today. A tour of this jewel of military architecture is quite simply unforgettable. • Tourism Office Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 21 97. mont-louis.net

The solar oven at Font-Romeu In an astounding setting dominating the great plateau of Cerdagne, Font-Romeu rises up at 1,700 meters of altitude. Built on a southern slope, the town has a very sunny climate. Its Grand Hotel and the Hermitage NotreDame are well worth a visit. The solar oven, set up in the hamlet of Odeillo is the flagship of the CNRS, which has specialised in research on solar energy. To get initiated to this high-level science, visit the Héliodyssée Centre, a nice tool for public education. • Office de Tourisme. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 30 68 30. font-romeu.fr

• Héliodysée. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 30 77 86. foursolaire-fontromeu.fr

The baths of Llo and Dorres

Before reaching the end of the line at Latour-de-Carol, the train stops at the stations of Saillagouse and Béna-Fanès, the next to the last station on your journey. Two villages lead to other hotsprings in Cerdagne. At Llo, near Saillagouse, three pools of hot sulphurous water are equipped with jacuzzis, geysers and bubble beds. A real fountain of youth! From Béna-Fanès, the road leads to the Roman baths at Dorres. Here also, the water is 38°C, a real delight to savour even when it freezes hard and the surrounding landscape glints under the snow. • Bains de Dorres. Tel. 33 (0)4 68 04 66 87. bains-de-dorres.com

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yèr

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Laguiole

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ier

AumontAubrac Les Bouviers

re ruyè Bès

LANGOGNE

Nasbinals

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Estaing St-Chélyd’Aubrac

Espalion

Lot

St-Cômed’Olt

Lot

La GardeGuérin

Le Bleymard

Aveyro

Villefort

Ste-Eulalied’Olt Sévéracle-Château

1699 m Mont Lozère

Mas de la Barque

Ste-Énimie Tarn

Via

Tarn

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c sseza Cha

Laubert

1448 m

Lot

Viaur

rdo

VIADUC DE MILLAU

Jonte

Lac de Pareloup

Tarn

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rbie

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Prat-Peyrot Hé rau Mont Aigoual lt

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Tar

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CARMAUX

ALÈS

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Ski resorts

Cévennes, Aubrac, Margeride Winter fun on wide open spaces Around Mont Aigoual and Mont Lozère and up to Aubrac, between the Departments of Gard, Aveyron and Lozère, nine resorts open their large grounds for cross-country hikes on skis, in snowshoes or by dogsled in wild landscapes with fascinating immensity. Between 1200 and 1600 m, the snow gives

these rough lands an extraordinary majesty. You can go cross-country on skis and enjoy skiing down the snowy slopes with the family, but above all you will discover here an incomparable raw beauty. monnouvelhorizon.com

Aveyron 1 2

Lozère 3 4 5 6 7 8

Nasbinals Aubrac Sud - Bonnecombe Les Bouviers - Grandrieu Laubert Plateau du Roy Le Bleymard - Mont Lozère Mas de la Barque

Gard 9

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Laguiole Brameloup

Prat Peyrot - Mont Aigoual

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CEVEnnES/MArGErIDE AUBrAC rESOrTS Intense pleasures The ski resorts of Aubrac and Cévennes by way of Margeride, are appreciated for their unique, natural areas and their family atmosphere. Far from the agitation and crowds of skiers, these resorts with a human touch rely on their authenticity. The gentle slopes of the mountains allow for a broad palette of sliding sports for beginners as well as for experienced skiers, each at their own pace. The trails criss-cross vast stretches of the high plateaus, plunging through state forests planted with fir, spruce and beech trees, skirting the lakes, hurtling across the summits of Aigoual and Mont-Lozère and giving you outlooks from which to admire the fantastic panoramic views. The kingdom of cross-country trails for skis and snowshoes, the resorts which punctuate Lozère, Aveyron and Gard, many of which are located in the heart of the National Park of Cévennes, also offer the opportunity for beautiful alpine skiing slopes and snowkiting take-offs. The charm of snowy ski grounds goes with the discovery of heritage buildings, Romanesque churches, shepherds’ cottages, traditional farms, stone houses with slate roofs… not to mention the gourmet cooking that characterises the diversity of local products.

Information

Laguiole

Laguiole 1,220 m / 1,400 m

Sliding sports for the whole family

All the sliding sports meet on the two slopes of the summit of the resort, the Puech du Roussillon overlooking the Aubrac plateau (altitude 1,407 m). Le Bouissou (10 km from Laguiole) is the departure point for cross-country skiing, fifty kilometres of compacted trails for alternate or skate skiing. The 14 alpine ski runs (including 4 equipped with

snow cannons), serviced by 10 ski lifts, are divided between two ski grounds, Le Bouissou and La Source, which, with its steeper drop, offers two black runs. One slope is dedicated for children where there is also a sled track, and a playground for games and sliding sports. The presence of monitors from the French Ski School offering classes in alpine

and cross-country skiing at all levels, makes Laguiole one of the favourite resorts for families. The snowshoe trails are an invitation to the wintertime discovery of Aubrac, its vast stretches of grasslands and underbrush of frozen beeches. One of the five tracks leads to the summit of the resort (1,407 m) and to the orientation table. A ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, a dogsled and snowshoeing with huskies are also on the programme of winter activities at the resort. Not to mention Laguiole nearby, which is renowned for its knives and artisans’ workshops open to visitors, for its PDO cheese, for its promises of gourmet moments and the massive, welcoming village with its houses of granite and basalt and roofs of slate.

Alpine skiing: 14 runs, including 5 equipped with snow cannons, 11 mechanical lifts including 1 child lift (for young children). Cross-country skiing, 4 trails, 1 green (3.3 km) , 1 blue (7.2 km) , 1 red (9.3 km) , 1 black (12.3 km). Nordic hiking, 2 marked runs, 1 green (3.8 km) and 1 blue (7.2 km) and 33 km of snowshoe trails Day ski pass: € 18, children: € 15. Cross-country skiing pass: adult € 7.70, youths: from € 3.50 to € 5.50. Weekly ski pass also valid for Brameloup.

Food & drink

You will enjoy going down to Laguiole to discover the atypical and sympathetic LaBa restaurant with the cuisine of a young chef who concocts marvellous meals with simple, high-quality products. A moment of fun to savour. (Tel. 33 (0)5 65 51 68 30).

Contact

Laguiole ski resort 12210 Laguiole.Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 39 62. aubrac-laguiole.com. Tourism Office Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 35 94.

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monnouvelhorizon.com

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12 • Aveyron

ALTITUDES

Brameloup 1,260 m / 1,385 m

From snowboarding to snowshoes

From Suc de Born, skis and snowboards rush down the slopes lined with beech trees , at the Brameloup resort. Dominating the buttresses of Aubrac in Aveyron, this summit, plunging towards Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac, has a gentle slope adapted to learning and to downhill skiing. The cross-

48 • Lozère

Information

Brameloup

country ski trails are nested in the Aubrac state forest full of beech trees and a few firs. The snowshoe trails, across open ground and through the forests, accompany the streams at Mousseaux, skirting the Roc de Campiels and breaking away towards the resort at Aubrac

Bonnecombe for other adventure courses.The boardercross run and the sled track complete these sliding sports for family vacations, in a landscape with many faces and infinite beauty. The routes offered are off-track with a guide to the Signal of Mailhebiau, the highest peak of Aubrac (altitude 1,469 m), to the Puech de Alte Teste and to the Croix de la Rode offer a superb viewpoint over the Lot Valley below and the summits of the Massif Central which stand out on the horizon. Onsite, several restaurants have included local specialties on their menu, like aligot. A visit to Saint-Chélyd’Aubrac, located in the Boralde Valley at Saint-Chély, will lead you to the Pont des Pèlerins, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, under the routes of Santiago de Compostela.

nasbinals - Le Fer à Cheval Off the beaten track

Located 67 kilometres from Mende, close to the village of Nasbinals, the site of the Fer à Cheval [The Horseshoe] stretches across Aubrac, a vast plateau of forests and pastures filled with enormous blocks of stone, inhabited by stags and roe deer, flown over by great horned

owls and peregrine falcons. At an altitude of 1,200 m, amateurs of sliding sports with the family will find enough to satisfy their every whim with 35 kilometres of trails for crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing and nordic hiking. You can even get initiated to the excitement

44 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

of alpine skiing techniques on the three trails equipped with a mechanical lift. And because winter vacations are not just for sports, two fitness areas provide the comfort you need after your efforts, at less than half an hour from the ski resort. The thermal resort of La Chaldette offers passes for your choice of “fitness” and well-being body care. The Spa en Aubrac at SaintChély-d’Apcher is equipped with a choice of areas to relax (hammam, heated pool, jacuzzi…). At less than three kilometres, Nasbinals, take a break on the Camino de Compostela, and its houses of granite and basalt massed around th Romanesque church Sainte Marie de Nasbinals, presents the characteristics of traditional villages of Aubrac.

Alpine skiing: 8 runs (3 blue, 2 red, 2 green and 1 boardercross). 5 mechanical lifts, 2 green cross-country trails, 1 red. Route for nordic hiking and snowshoeing to Aubrac 14 km, 3 snowshoeing trails, 1 sledding track. Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Adult day pass for alpine skiing : € 16, youths: € 14. Adult cross-country skiing pass: € 7.70, children: from € 3.50 to € 5.50. Weekly pass valid also for Laguiole.

Food & drink

At the Chemins Gourmands restaurant at the foot of the slopes, aligot and pieces of Aubrac beef are a must. The chef likes to navigate between the traditional, the typical and the gourmet to design menus according to the seasons. (Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 21 27).

Contact

Brameloup ski resort 12470 Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac. Tel. 33 (0)9 77 48 52 25. brameloup.com

Nasbinals Le Fer à Cheval 1,200 m / 1,400 m Alpine skiing: 3 ski runs (1 green, 1 blue, 1 red) with 1 ski lift. Cross-country skiing: 3 runs in classic and skating, 2 12-km routes for nordic hiking, 2 routes for snowshoeing. Single day ski pass: adults: € 15, children: € 8. Adult cross-country skiing pass: € 7.70, children: from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

Food & drink

La Route d’Argent Hotel at Nasbinals serves aligot together with duck confit, Cofidou or striploin of Aubrac beef or lamb ribs from Lozère. For sweet specialties, don’t miss the chestnut cake (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 50 03). Not far away, the Buron du Ché set up in an old shepherd’s cottage, offers traditional, refined cooking, prepared with products from the local “terroir”. Open all year round. (Tel. 33 (0)9 70 35 12 69).

Contact

Nasbinals - Fer à Cheval ski resort 48260 Nasbinals. Tél. 33 (0)4 66 45 79 21. Office de Tourisme intercommunal Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 55 73. nasbinals.fr

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Aubrac Sud - Bonnecombe Take off from the plateau for cows

A grazing plateau for cows in summer, Aubrac transforms its bare spots into a ski ground during the winter with an altitude of 1,400 m between the Valleys of Truyère and Lot when these medium-height mountains with a harsh climate are covered with a thick mantle of snow, ideal for sliding sports! The resort stretches from the Col de

Bonnecombe, with cross-country trails at altitudes between 1,200 m and 1,450 m and several hiking routes for snowshoeing. The trails weave through the Forest of Baronte, circumnavigate the Étang de Bonnecombe, skim the Signal de Mailhebiau, the highest point in Aubrac at 1,469 m, and venture onto the high pastures, offering unobstructed views of the River

Lot, the Cantal mountains, the Puys range, Margeride, the Grands Causses… The Col de Bonnecombe is also a renowned spot for snowkiting. The resort offers a free ski lift to get there, to launch and unfurl your brightly-coloured sail to cross the vast untouched spaces. An initiation area provides the lessons you need before taking off. Aubrac is also a land of adventure, accompanied by a professional, to explore frozen lakes and waterfalls and stock up on unforgettable images. A shepherd’s cottage – built recently along the model of traditional shelters where cheese was made – offers its warmth for a picnic or a break for coffee or hot chocolate… Here, on the highest of the Aubrac mountains, pleasure is always at hand.

Les Bouviers - Grandrieu Pretend to be a trapper at Margeride! Renowned for its nordic area which offers, in the middle of the forests of beech and spruce trees, thirty kilometres of runs for classic and skate skiing at different levels, the Bouviers resort boasts immense stretches of pasture and heaths, covered with a thick mantle of snow, punctuated with big round boulders and interrupted with forests of pine and beech trees. It’s like the end of the world, North of Mende, between Aubrac and Allier, at an altitude of 1,400 meters. In winter, Margeride, the largest granite plateau in Europe, resembles the Great North. Especially if you explore its snowy trails on a dogsled, for an initiation or for a two-day race. Surrounded by the vastness of its landscapes, the creaking of the dogsled in the snow and the

Information Aubrac Sud Bonnecombe 1,300 m / 1,500 m Cross-country skiing: 4 compacted runs for alternate and skate skiing, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 red, 1 black, 1 6 km route for snowshoeing Sledding area with training workshop and learners’ track. Adult day rate: € 7.70, youths: from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

Food & drink

At Salses, the Relais des Lacs in a typical Aubrac landscape, could only offer traditional dishes including excellent aligot and also local preserved meats and cheeses (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 61 78). L’Auberge du Radal, in a setting no less sublime, posts its regional specialties for a gourmet moment. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 61 71).

Contact

Espace Aubrac Sud Lozère. 48340 Les Hermaux. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 39 53. aubrac-sud-lozere.com

Les Bouviers Grandrieu 1,400 m / 1,500 m Thirty kilometres of gentle slopes dedicated to cross-country skiing, (2 green, 1 blue, 1 red and 1 black), 1 nordic competition run (ESF), 2 snowshoeing trails 4.5 km and 9 km). A children’s area with sleds and baby dogsleds for children of 3-7 years. Sled dogs. Adult day pass: € 7.70, youths: from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

Food & drink

To relax at Saint-Chély-d’Apcher, La Table de Thierry restaurant offers meals made from fresh products from the market all year round. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 47 68 53). Also to discover, Le Lion d’Or which prepares for you on order regional specialties such as omelette with mushrooms, coupétade, etc. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 31 00 14).

panting of the huskies, you are the king of trappers! Close by, at Sainte Eulalie, the European Bison Reserve will make your dreams come true, when, bundled up in a horse-drawn sleigh, you pass by the herds of these imposing beasts living in semiliberty. The snowshoeing trails

lead to a buron, a little stone cottage where shepherds once made cheese, today converted into a forest home under the snowy branches. And the chalets in the heart of the forest extend the illusion of roaming wild in the wilderness, plus cosy comfort.

Contact

Les Bouviers ski resort 48700 Saint-Denis-en-Margeride. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 47 41 54. lesbouviers.com

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AumontAubrac Les Bouviers

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Aubrac-Margeride circuit

Laubert

1448 m

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Estaing

St-Cômed’Olt n Aveyro

Laguiole

The showcases of the cutlers, or knife-makers, follow one another,

46 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

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Peyre rbie

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ROQUEFORT offering the famous knives of Laguiole, which have become one of the symbols of Aveyron. Some workshops, such as the dynamic Forges de Laguiole, enable you to discover the different steps in making the knives that have become art objects. Laguiole is, of course, the name of a cheese made from raw whole milk under an AOP (PDO), to taste at the cheesemaker in the centre of town or during a gourmet tour to the Jeune Montagne Cooperative which also makes the emblematic dish of Aubrac, aligot. There are also tours of the factory. But Laguiole is also a welcoming town where it’s nice to stroll around. And in winter you can even go for a ride on a dogsled!

• Office de Tourisme Aubrac Laguiole. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 35 94. • Forge de Laguiole. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 48 43 34. forge-de-laguiole.com • Musée du Couteau. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 51 23 47. musee-laguiole.com • Nord Aveyron Mushing. Tel. 33 (0)6 86 66 99 47. • L’auberge du Taureau. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 48 44 77. An unpretentious inn, renowned for its pounti and its truffade

Prat-Peyrot Hé rau Mont Aigoual lt

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MILLAU

At Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, Margeride has its own show! The hero is Auguste, the postman, on the verge of retirement, who takes you on his last round. An original and intimate way of discovering Margeride, its landscapes, its inhabitants, its history from the pilgrims of Compostela

The village of Aubrac is located on an old Roman road used by the earliest pilgrims journeying to Santiago de Compostela. The construction in the 12th century of the Dômerie, a hospital and monastery, ensured refuge and protection for the pilgrims. The Dômerie d’Aubrac, which could distribute up to 5000 loaves of bread per day and accommodate 500 people, was the most powerful seigneury of the region up to the French Revolution. Today only a few buildings remain: the Tour des Anglais and a Romanesque church. • Dômerie d'Aubrac. Tours by reservation. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 28 42.

VIADUC DE MILLAU

Margeride on Scenovision

Aubrac

Lac de Pareloup

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The architecture of its long southern façade and the richness of its decorations have earned the Château de la Baume at Prinsuéjols, the nickname of the “little Versailles of Gévaudan”. The billiard room with its carved wooden doors, the wooden chimney (1702) in the King’s room, the study (1714) with the coat of arms suspended from two carved cherubs and the dining room that reflects the fashionable galleries of the first half of the 17th century, will plunge you with delight into another world. • Château de la Baume. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 32 51 59. Sur réservation.

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Aubrac, land of adventure on the routes of Santiago de Compostela, is also a land of history, tradition and gourmet dining, a living territory that invites CORDES-SUR-CIEL you to discover it.

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From Margeride to Aubrac, authentic landscapes

to the Resistance, as well as the astonishing relationship of the Saint-Alban hospital to outsider art. A 45-minute interactive show in three rooms, full of humour and emotion. • Scenovision at Saint-Alban-surLimagnole. Reservations required. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 31 32 85 or 33 (0)4 66 31 57 01. • Le Rocher Blanc at Aumont-Aubrac. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 31 90 09. In this hotel-restaurant renowned for its welcome, nine thematic rooms, the “Bubble Barn” with a pool and sauna, fresh local products for magical nights and gourmet menus.

LANGOGNE

Nasbinals

• La Ferme de Moulhac. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 33 25. An old farm where the farm buildings have been transformed into superb guest houses.

Estaing

The medieval city backed up by the buttresses of Aubrac is dominated by the keep of its 13th century castle, the imposing home of the celebrated d’Estaing family. A walk around the village – which also produces the Château d’Estaing wine, one of the smallest AOC in France - enables you to admire the beautiful façades of the mansions, to go up the stairs of the 15th century to discover the six altar pieces of the gilded wooden statues and the contemporary stained glass windows by Claude Baillon. The gothic bridge over the River Lot is on the UNESCO World Heritage list under the routes of Santiago-de-Compostela. • Tourism Office. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 03 22. • Maison de la vigne, du vin et des paysages. Tel. 33 (0)5 65 44 04 42. lesvigneronsdolt.fr

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Laubert - Plateau du roy An air of the Great North

Pastures, heaths and forests make up the vast nordic grounds of around 10,000 hectares at the resort of Laubert-Plateau du Roy. South of Margeride, at altitudes of 1,200-1,550 m., the crosscountry ski trails for classic and skate skiing take you around the Lac de Charpal from the village of Laubert to which they are linked by a route six kilometres long. In

winter, this vast body of water with its banks festooned with vast wooded areas, takes on the appearance of the Great Canadian North. Equipped with snowshoes or nordic skis, off-run with the family , slide down its banks, while admiring the rays of sunshine mirroring its frozen surface. A magical impression! A trail marked GR, leads to Truc

de Fortunio which offers a fantastic view of the plateaus and mountains of Lozère. Located half an hour from Mende, the resort of Laubert-Plateau du Roy is the winter playground of the inhabitants of the capital of Lozère who do not hesitate to enjoy a lunch break to put on their skis. Their presence and that of the school children, give the resort its authentic family atmosphere. Thirty kilometres away on the Monts de la Margeride which is home to the legendary Bête du Gévaudan, the Wolf Park at Sainte-Lucie invites you for an unusual encounter with the one hundred wolves living there in semi-liberty. Meanwhile the aurochs, bovines hunted by the Neanderthals to extinction, live a second life at Arzenc-de-Randon! To be discovered.

Le Bleymard - Mont Lozère Nordic and alpine ski in an authentic environment “Nordic” grounds in the South, alpine grounds in the North… With 7 runs dedicated to skiers and surfers at all levels, serviced by 5 mechanical lifts, the resort of Bleymard-Mont Lozère may boast of being the only alpine skiing resort in Lozère! And in an exceptional landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage list, in the heart of the National Park of Cévennes, a few ski poles away from the Pic du Finiels, the culminating point of Mont Lozère (1702 m). Far from the tourist crowds, lovers of an authentic, untouched natural environment will go down the runs on hillsides planted with pine, fir and beech trees or leave on skis or snowshoes to discover the vast stretches of this “strange, bare mountain range, scattered with round granite boulders and

Information LaubertPlateau du Roy 1,200 m / 1,550 m 41 km cross-country ski trails: 2 runs in Laubert (1 green and 1 blue), and 6 runs in Charpal (2 green, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 black). 4 snowshoe routes. Heated picnic room at Laubert and at Charpal.

Adult cross-country skiing pass: € 7.70, children: from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

Food & drink

On a gourmet stopover in the capital of Lozère, La Safranière in Mende offers a refined, inventive cuisine where local products in season are enhanced by a subtle blend of flavours. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 49 31 54).

Contact

Laubert-Plateau du Roy ski resort 48170 Laubert. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 47 79 30 et 33 (0)6 85 80 73 64. Office de Tourisme de Mende Tel. 33 (0)4 66 94 00 23. ot-mende.fr

Le Bleymard Mont Lozère 1,400 m / 1,700 m Alpine skiing: 7 ski runs (2 green, 1 blue, 3 red, 1 black) and 5 mechanical ski lifts. Cross-country skiing: 5 runs - 1 green, 2 blue and 2 red and 2 snowshoeing trails and a sledding track. Alpine skiing, adult day pass: € 13, children: € 8. Nordic activities, adult day pass: € 7.70, children: from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

Food & drink

At the resort, le Refuge is a hotelrestaurant open all year round which offers traditional cuisine with beautiful plates of preserved meats from Lozère, truffade, chestnut fondant, etc. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 48 62 83).

punctuated with cool springs... ”, to quote the English writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Long descents among the snowy fir trees and peaks, by way of cross-country hiking trails to admire the many facets of Mont Lozère and the sledding tracks, beginners and experts, children and adults, will find here the excitement and thrills

to suit them. Onsite, in the three hotels of the resort or in the hostels of the village of Bleymard bordered by the Altier and Tarn Valleys, which the River Lot crosses, evenings by the fire contribute to the charm and the warm, family atmosphere of this resort between the blue sky and the white snow.

Contact

Le Bleymard - Mont Lozère ski resort 48190 Le Bleymard. Tél. 33 (0)4 66 48 66 48. lemontlozere.com

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Mas de la Barque 1,420 m / 1,680 m

In complete freedom…

A resort in the great outdoors at an altitude of 1,420 m, the Mas de la Barque has stretched out its runs devoted entirely to Nordic activities East of Mont Lozère, in the heart of the National Park of Cévennes. This means that the diversity and the beauty of the landscapes participate fully in the sporting fun. Here, cross-country trails and routes invite you to let

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yourself slide on the gentle, wooded slopes in the state-owned forests, to press on through the fir trees and other softwoods up to the Col de l'Aigle or the Pic Cassini (1,680 m) for a panoramic view in good weather from Mont Blanc to Mont Ventoux, from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, from Cantal to the high plateaus of Ardèche. A cross-

country snowshoeing and Nordic hiking route leads to the source of the Tarn, crossing superb little hamlets and farms built on the mountainsides of big stones cut from the granite: Mas Camargue, l’Hôpital, Belle Coste… At the resort, the information centre of the National Park of Cévennes and the hostel village, built with a traditional Cevennes architecture, seem to be the only traces of human activity in an environment where nature reigns. Big attraction for children, a sledding stadium of 10,000 m² is accessible for free. Sleigh rides, drawn by Comtois draft horses, invite you to be enchanted, without the least effort, by the winter magic … New this year, nordic cross-country skiing off-run and electric scooters to test out on the snowshoeing trails, for children 8 years and up!

Prat Peyrot - Mont Aigoual Skiing with a sea view!

Renowned for the outstanding view from its summit which culminates at 1,567 meters, Mont Aigoual is greatly appreciated by alpine skiers from around Montpellier and Nîmes. The steep slopes which cut through the forests of beech, spruce and fir trees form part of the assets of this ski resort in Gard. Located at an altitude of 1,380 meters at the Col de Prat-

Peyrot, in the municipality of Valleraugue, in the southern Cévennes, the resort of Prat-Peyrot Mont Aigoual offers all levels of difficulty on 13 runs and serviced with 12 mechanical ski lifts. To the heady rush of the slopes are added the beauty of the mountain peaks where the view includes other summits: Mont Lozère, the Grands Causses, and on a clear day, much farther

48 I ALTITUDES I Destination of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

28 km of nordic ski runs for alternates and skate skiing. 4 sled tracks. 1 sledding stadium of 10,000 m2 free of charge Adult day pass: € 7.70, children € 3.50 – Passes for the weekend or for the week.

Food & drink

To relax, La Remise restaurant-inn in Bleymard offers an inventive regional cuisine. Tel. 33 (0)4 66 48 65 80. Another friendly gourmet place is in Vialas at the Auberge de Vialas. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 41 09 50). In Génolhac, La Régordane restaurant offers a choice of copious, homemade meals made from local products. (Tel. 33 (0)4 66 61 11 72).

Contact

Mas de la Barque ski resort 48800 Villefort. Tél. 33 (0)4 66 46 92 72. lemasdelabarque.com

Prat Peyrot Mont Aigoual 1,320 m / 1,460 m Alpine skiing: 13 runs (4 green, 5 blue, 4 red) and 12 ski lifts. Cross-country skiing: 40 km of ski runs (1 green, 3 blue, 1 red, 1 black competition run). Sled track and snowshoe trail at Espérou (free access). Adult cross-country skiing pass: € 7.70, children from € 3.50 to € 5.50.

away and much higher, Mont Blanc and the Alps, the Pyrenees and... the Mediterranean. The nordic area rolls out over mountain landscapes, age-old woods with clearings and lawns here and there in the National Park of Cévennes. The resort totals 40 kilometres of cross-country trails, compacted and marked, including 1 black competition run. You are free to hike the trails in snowshoes without a guide. Ideal for children to learn with individual or group classes in cross-country or alpine skiing and snowboarding, taught by the monitors of the French Ski School and the International Ski School, in March the resort welcomes the “Traces Blanches de l'Aigoual”, entertaining cross-country ski races for adults and youths.

Food & drink

For pleasure-seekers, in the old cottage in the forest at the Col de la Serreyrède, is a farmer store, where several local producers have created the Association Terres d’Aigoual to sell their typical products of Cévennes. (Tél. 33 (0)4 67 82 65 39). At 5 minutes from the resort, you have your choice of accommodation in guest rooms, hotels, rural hostels... on foot, on a mountain-bike, on a road bike... From hiking in snowshoes to Geocache trails (treasure hunts by GPS) by way of the orienteering race and the discovery of the fauna and flora. A four seasons Nature Centre on Mount Aigoual and a source of recreation in the great outdoors!

Contact

Prat-Peyrot Mont-Aigoual ski resort 30570 Valleraugue. Tel. 33 (0)4 67 73 19 84. Office de Tourisme de Valleraugue Tel. 33 (0)4 67 64 82 15 and 33 (0)4 67 82 64 67. pratpeyrot.fr - aigoual.fr causses-aigoual-cevennes.org

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