Villas in Hautes Pyrénées

Yes, for intermediate skiers and families. The Grand Tourmalet above Barèges and La Mongie is the largest ski area in the French Pyrenees, and Peyragudes is a mid-sized resort facing the high peaks on the Spanish border. Both are cheaper and less crowded than the big Alpine resorts outside French school holidays.

Tarbes-Lourdes for Barèges, around an hour by car. Toulouse for Peyragudes and Loudenvielle, around two hours, with more flights from the UK. Pau is another option for Barèges.

It depends what you want from it. The Sanctuary and grotto draw millions of pilgrims a year, including many sick and disabled visitors, and the torchlight procession runs every evening from April to October. The streets nearby are lined with souvenir shops. Most non-pilgrims find half a day is enough.

Yes. Gavarnie is around 40 minutes' drive from Barèges via Luz-Saint-Sauveur. From the village it is a walk of an hour and a half or so to the foot of the cirque. Go early in July and August, when the car parks fill.

The road is closed in winter, when the pass is part of the ski area, and usually reopens around May depending on snow. In winter, driving from Barèges to La Mongie means a long detour, though you can ski across.

By cable car from La Mongie, a ride of around 15 minutes to an observatory at nearly 3,000 metres. From Barèges, reach La Mongie over the Tourmalet in summer or on skis in winter. Clear mornings give the best views.

Lift-served walking and mountain biking, paragliding, and the lake and Balnéa spa down at Loudenvielle. Road cyclists come for the Col de Peyresourde and the Col d'Azet. The lifts open only for set weeks in summer, so check dates before you go.