Is there a way to get into the Pyrenees around Cirque de Gavarnie besides driving a car? Are there any buses that go near that area?
That sounds like such a lovely place. I'll be in that part of France later this year, so I did a bit of research on public-transit options. This is just a product of internet research, so I can't vouch for its accuracy, but this is what I have in my notes:
SNCF buses from Lourdes to Luz-St-Sauveur (34 min.), than another bus to Gavarnie (30 min.) or taxi. Also buses to Argeles-Gazost, but that's not very close. There are day-tours from Lourdes.
Perhaps that's enough info to get you started on your own search.
I don't know when your trip is, but I have read this (might be an unattributed quote, or it might be my paraphrase): The Cirque may only be approached safely in mid-summer. Treacherous ice and snow may be present even in mid-June...Traveling west to east with sun behind you is best.