The
Pyrenees
If you are looking for tranquillity and peace you will find it in this beautiful mountain
range, there are rolling hills, sun dappled forests, meadows and farmland, rivers,
gorges, caves and waterfalls. A diverse landscape encompassing mile-upon-mile
of peace and tranquillity. Perfect for walking, cycling, climbing, rafting,
canoeing, fishing, bird watching and of course skiing in the winter and if all that
sounds too exhausting why not just relax and unwind in the wonderful rural surrounding.
La Ville Gerde
Gerde nestles
in the foothills of the Pyrenees on the east bank of the sparkling River Adour which
carries the melt water from the mountains to the south through the fertile Campan
valley. Our
house and orchard garden provide wonderful views of the near mountains of the Parc
National des Pyrenees dominated by the Pic du Midi (2,877m). The
village is situated on the outskirts of an elegant spa town, Bagneres-de-Bigorre.
The town has restaurants, a market selling local produce, an amazing
swimming pool, art galleries, a cinema, and of course the spa for which the town is
famous. Gerde is approximately two kilometres from Bagneres-de-Bigorra and
is easily reached on foot in fifteen minutes. The village has a small shop selling
local farm produce and a restaurant that uses local produce to produce wonderful traditional
dishes.
A visit to this quiet oasis of calm will truly leave you feeling restored
and ready to face the world again! |
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Skiing The nearest ski resort is La Mongie, which is a 30 minute
drive from Gerde (20 if you drive like a local). I can recommend
it. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier you will
enjoy the skiing in this area, particularly as it doesn't get as busy as
the main resorts. The resort includes facilities for renting or buying any
equipment you might need.
Absailing There are a variety of organisations that provide guides
and lessons for a number of activities including absailing, one such
company is Bureau des Guides, they offer a half a days lesson for €39
per person. If you are experienced you could do a one or two day
adventure, with a night of refuge included in the two day sortie!
There are a variety of areas that are used for these hikes including;
Taillon, Casques, Marboré, Mont Perdu, Balaïtous, Munia and Néouville.
The prices range from €43 to €73.
Bungy Jumping! If you are feeling really adventurous (or mad!) or
if absailing and a night of refuge are too safe for you than what
about bungy jumping? Le Grand Saut à L'Élastique is a 90 metre
dive, it could be just the thing for you. For this you have to visit
between April and the end of November, it will cost you between €30 and
€122 depending on whether you want one go, are mad enough to want to do
it again, or are too scared to do it on your own and need someone to hold
your hand.
RaftingThere are some wonderful rivers for rafting in the area,
in fact the river that runs through Gerde is often used for this
sport. Bureau des Guides offer a choice of rivers to raft.
Walking Ok, now to the more sedate, much more my style.
There are again organisations that arrange walking groups or you could
just pull on your hiking boots and head in almost any direction. The
Pyrénées is well known for being one of the finest walking areas in
Europe, this is in part due to the wonderful scenery but also because you
do not have to be superfit to walk the Pyrénées, there are walks for all
ages and levels of competence. There are footpaths and trails of
varying lengths and the local tourist office can advise on the most
appropriate, alternatively tourist guides are available.
Horse Riding Another option is horse riding, less energetic than
walking but with just as many aches and pains at the end of the day, just
in different places! We are in the process of searching out an organisation
that provides horse back tours.
Bird Watching The area provides a perfect setting for bird watching, the
list of birds is impressive. You can expect to see green woodpecker, goldfinch,
chaffinch and greenfinch all year round in our orchard with interesting
summer visitors such as spotted flycatcher, black redstart and the
occasional nightingale whilst overhead there will always be swift, barn
swallow and house martin (a pair nests regularly under our eaves). Raptors are usually seen daily all year round with regular fly
pasts by buzzards and, intermittently red kite, with regular sightings of
griffon vulture which are very prevalent only a few kilometres away. In the warmer months you are also sure to see honey buzzard, hobby
and black kite. Tawny owls
can be heard calling most evenings and it would be surprising if you do
not see dipper and grey wagtail by the nearby River Adour.
Fishing The most popular type of fishing in France is trout
fishing and you will see many signs for 'pêche à la truite'. We
recommend A Beaudean near to Bagnères de Bigorre where you can also fish
for salmon. A Beaudean is open all year around and also sells farm
produce.
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Aquensis This swimming pool with sauna, jacuzzi and gym must rank
as one of the most elegant in Europe, there is even a water music pool,
you can only hear the music if you go under water! The
architecture is amazing, photos do not do it justice so you must
visit. Aquensis is open every day all year round. It is a
little expensive but well worth it. Aquensis is situated in
Bagneres-de-Bigorre.
Grands Thermes The thermal spas that Bagneres is famous for. The
waters are said to ease the pain of arthritis, respiratory problems and
stress. Grands Thermes is open from March to November.
Les Grottes de Labastide A voyage into the history of prehistoric man, based in the caves of the
Baronnies. The publicity states it is an exceptional voyage, but is it
real or imaginary? This is a wonderful place to take children.
Leaflets giving further details are available at La Maison Tranquille or
from the local tourist office.
Parc Animalier des Pyrenees Another one that children will enjoy, walk through the nature park and
see many of the animals local to the area, including deer, bears and
marmots.
Aquarium Tropical If you don't fancy fishing how about visiting a tropical
aquarium? You can learn about the mysteries of
marine life. Pierrefitte Aquarium can be found between Argeles Gazost and Luz et
Gavarnie, in fact you could visit both the Parc Animalier and the
aquarium on the same day. The aquarium is closed on Monday and
Friday mornings.
La Falaise aux Vautours Had enough of fish and wild beasts? How about birds then?
La Falaise aux Vautours is based in the small village of d'Aste-Béon in a
nature reserve. There is an observatory with cameras installed to
watch the birds in their natural habitat. There is also a library and
interactive facilities. Time of opening varies depending on the time of
year, contact details are available at La Maison Tranquille.There are many more things to do if your not exhausted by the list
already! We will add more excursions as we sample them. If you
visit the area and find something we haven't listed please let us have the
details and we will add it to the webpage.
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Prices shown are per week
for the house, there is room for a maximum of eight people. Between
November and February inclusive a heating deposit of £50 is required. A deposit of £100 will be
required against breakage.
Practicalities
Heating The price is inclusive of average use of electricity, gas and
water. However between November and February
inclusive a heating deposit of £50 is required.
Linen The price is inclusive of linen and towels, however it is expected that
you will wash these (washing machine available in house) at the end of
your stay. The attic beds have duvets, blankets are also available. The
double and king size bed have blankets and traditional French style
quilts.
Arrival and Departure This can be negotiated, but will depend on other bookings on those
days. The changeover day is usually Saturday, however it may be possible to
negotiate a different day. Please contact us.
Key The key will be sent to you along with detailed directions on receipt
of the final payment and breakage/heating deposit.
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JANUARY |
£250.00 |
