Nearest Airport
: Lourdes
at 35
Kilometres
Nearest Ferry
: Bilbao
at 200
Kilometres
Nearest Train
: Lourdes
at 30
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway
: Lourdes
at 35
Kilometres
Nearest Beach
: Biarritz
at 100
Kilometres
Nearest Golf
: Lourdes
at 30
Kilometres
Car: not necessary
Bareges is a delightful Napoleonic village situated at the heart of the central Pyrenees in an area of great natural beauty unspoiled by the passage of time, and offers the perfect base for exploring. Bareges and the Domaine du Tourmalet has the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. The valley is the entry point into the Pyrenees National Park and the Neouvielle Nature Reserve and contains many exceptional sites including the magnificent Cirque de Gavarnie (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The village is situated on the mythical Col du Tourmalet with the Tour de France passing most years. Over the centuries the the local countryside inspired many famous writers including Victor Hugo and George Sand. It is also here that the golden age of Pyrenean exploration started. The seventeen picturesque villages of the Pays Toy (the local area) cling resolutely to the mountainsides, each with their own particular character and local heritage of C12th churches, ancient streets and monuments.
Other Activities: white-water rafting, birdwatching, trout fishing,
Ski: Bareges (La Station du Tourmalet) has the largest ski area in the Pyrenees with 125kms of pistes served by an ultra modern lift network. The interlinked ski areas have wonderful skiing for all abilities, wide sunny cruising pistes in La Mongie, challenging forest runs above Bareges, a huge snowpark, a pretty beginners area with user friendly 'moving carpet' lifts. The adventurous will love the brilliant off-piste descent from 2900m (9500ft) from the Pic du Midi. The whole ski area has snow cannon coverage to guarantee snow cover. You can ski back to the village on a variety of runs. There are excellent ski schools who offer lessons and guiding for all levels, including children from the age of 4 and a number of hire shops. After a day on the slopes what better way to relax than in the Napoleonic spa baths which offer pools, Jacuzzis, massages, steam rooms, beauty treatments.
