The Pyrenees Mountains run from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea, neatly dividing France and Spain and running up into southwestern France. This area of France is generally known as the Midi-Pyrenees which run from the plateau of Aubrac near St Etienne to the Pyrenean peaks, providing a wide range of landscapes and elevations for those choosing a holiday rental in the Pyrenees as a base for outdoor pursuits.
The regional capital is Toulouse, known for its aerospace industries and rich in architecture and art. Other major cities include Tarbes, Cazeres, Castres and Montauban.
Visitors can enjoy the mountains in the south, the beautiful countryside and history in the north of the region and the calm quiet Gascony region in the centre.
The Lot Valley has some beautiful historic regions and pretty villages such as Puy l’Eveque on the Lot River. Loubressac is a charming village on a rocky outcrop and is known for its flower displays and its artistic charm.
For those looking for a gite in the Pyrenees for an active outdoor holiday, the Midi Pyrenees is ideal. The medieval walled towns, rivers, ancient vineyards, oak and walnut groves are ideal for exploring by car, on horseback, hiking or mountain biking. White water rafting and rock-climbing centres arrange trips and training and airfields offer flying, gliding and microlighting. There is excellent golfing in the summer. In the winter, downhill and cross-country skiing is popular in the area.
Gers is part of the cluster of most beautiful villages with their tall half-timbered houses and colonnaded shops. Toulouse, the capital of the region is the fourth largest city in France. It has a charming old town and many of the grand buildings were constructed with pretty pink brick. The Canal du Midi passes through the town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other things to enjoy include the many churches and museums in the city.
The Pyrenees is a superb year-round destination in southwest France. The ski season runs from the first snow in November to April and then the walking season begins. The area has early springs, long hot summers and short winters with good snow cover on the higher elevations.
The hearty food is based on locally produced goose, duck, mushrooms and vegetables. Fish from the streams and fruit from the orchards provide a wide variety of produce. Blue cheese is made from goat, ewe and cows’ milk.
Gites in the Pyrenees are well served by cheap flights to Toulouse with a choice of airlines. Ryanair also flies from the UK to Rodez. From Calais the drive is a 8-9 hour journey and the Motorail train service runs from Calais and/or Paris making it an easy journey.