The region
What to see around the house
The Hautes-Pyrénées, from the plain to the legendary mountain passes.
Orientation map, not to scale.
Driving times from the house, outside peak traffic and outside winter conditions.
Tarbes
5 min
The Massey gardens, the national stud farm, markets, restaurants and summer events.
Lourdes
30 min
The sanctuary, the hilltop castle, an atmosphere found nowhere else.
Aquensis, Bagnères-de-Bigorre
30 min
A Belle Époque thermal spa.
The Madiran wine route
45 min
Wine estates, tastings, the terroir of south-west France.
Lake Payolle
45 min
The “little Canada of the Pyrenees”: walks, mountain biking, picnics.
Pic du Midi de Bigorre
1 hr + cable car
Panorama and observatory at 2,877 m. An hour’s drive to La Mongie, then a 15-minute cable-car ride.
Pont d’Espagne, Cauterets
1 hr 10
Waterfalls, footpaths and the way up to Lake Gaube.
Col du Tourmalet
1 hr
The legendary Tour de France mountain pass.
⚠ The pass road is closed from November until May or June.
Néouvielle nature reserve
1 hr 30
High-altitude lakes and ancient mountain pines.
⚠ From 1 July to 15 September the lake road is tolled and closed to cars from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm — the shuttle is compulsory.
Cirque de Gavarnie
1 hr 15
A UNESCO-listed natural amphitheatre, with walks for every level.
Ski resorts
In winter
La Mongie 1 hr · Cauterets 1 hr · Luz-Ardiden 1 hr 10.
