Plenty to see: Arrens is about 12km from the pretty town of Argelès-Gazost, which is well known for its thermal baths and has an excellent weekly market. Lourdes, world famous for the shrine of St. Bernadette and attracting millions of pilgrims a year, is 25 km away. The historic and elegant town of Pau is within an hour’s drive. Otherwise, we are in the heart of some of the most spectacular scenery France has to offer, from famous Pyrenean sites – such as the observatory perched on the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the cascades at the Pont d'Espagne or the World Heritage site of Gavarnie – to picturesque lakes and mountain villages with their age-old traditions.
Plenty to do: The area is a paradise for walkers and cyclists of all levels. Activities available locally in the summer season include horse riding, rafting, paragliding and fishing, and in the winter both downhill and cross-country skiing, snow shoe walking and husky sledge rides. The unspoilt natural environment offers the opportunity to observe a variety of mountain flora and fauna (including eagles, vultures and isards).
Annual events: The area hosts a number of annual festivals and events – the most famous being the Tour de France which, in 2008 will have a stage finish at Hautacam above Argelès. Also in 2008 this stage will be featured as the Etape du Tour when 9000 amateur cyclists ride the route the week before the main event. On a smaller scale, there are many traditional fêtes which offer great opportunities to absorb the local culture and traditions. In January a Nordic weekend is held at the Col de Couraduque enabling anyone to try out the various activities such as cross-country skiing and snow shoe walking. In September Arrens hosts the Cutlet Festival which celebrates the return of the flocks of sheep from the high mountain pastures. In October Aucun has a horse festival with displays featuring working horses of a variety of breeds. 2008 will also see special celebrations in Lourdes to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the apparition to St.Bernadette.
Ski:
The largest cross-country skiing area in the Pyrenees at the Col du Soulor is just 10 minutes by car from Les Artigaux. This area links to the neighbouring Col du Couraduque and in all has about 110 km of prepared marked pistes. There is also an area set aside for children's tobogganing.
The nearest downhill skiing is at Hautacam, above Argeles-Gazost, about 30 minutes' drive away. This is a day station and has fairly limited skiing, but is a perfect opportunity to try the sport for a very modest cost. Within an hour's drive are the larger resorts of Cauterets, Luz-Ardiden and Bareges. Bareges links with La Mongie to form the largest downhill skiing area in the Pyrenees and has a total of 100km of pistes.
Equipment for both downhill and cross-country skiing can be hired locally and tuition is available at all the resorts. The cost of a day's cross-country skiing at the Col du Soulor is just 7€ and generally the cost of ski passes at the downhill resorts is cheaper than the Alps.
Learn more about this holiday rental at the owner's website:
