Hi all
We are vacationing in July 2018 in Barcelona and San Sebastion for 10-14 days. We plan on driving thru the Pyrenees.
If we have 3 days to make the drive. Does anyone have any recommendations on which towns in Spain or France to visit (stay overnight) or sites to see along the route?
Thanks!
Pick out the route you think you'll take, then do some searches on some of the towns along the way. What I like may not be what you like and towns I think are quaint may be boring to others. Use Flickr, Google, TripAdvisor etc., to get ideas.
Mike, you've got plenty of time to plan, and research where you want to go.
If you stay in Spain, I would suggest going to visit the Vall de Boi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is full of incredible Romanesque churches. Further on you should visit Jaca and the area around it. There is the monastery of Sa Juan de la Pena, which is supposed to be one of the resting places of the Holy Grail for several hundred years. Near by is the Loarre Castle, and the Castle of Javier, birthplace of St. Francis Xavier. To spend the night you might want to try the parador in Sos de los Reyes Catholicos.
Thanks dlindstrom!
Yes, I agree, we have plenty of time to research. I started that process and I was just using this forum to help that cause. Your suggestions are great!
We are open to going into France. It will be a leisurely drive! It certainly seems like you know the area well. If you have any additional thoughts about the Pyrenees area in France, that would be appreciated.
Otherwise, thanks again, your previous post will help us make our decisions.
Day 1 - Stay at Ainsa
Ainsa was once the capital of the kingdom of Sobrarbe and the birthplace of the Kingdom of Aragon. It occupies an idyllic position with a backdrop of the Pyrennes Mountains and it is on the edge of the Ordesa National Park. It's a perfect spot for walking in the summer and for winter sports.
Ainsa's historic centre is the lovely cobbled square, The Plaza Mayor which is surrounded by medieval arcaded buildings. The belfry tower of the 12th century Romanesque Iglesia de Santa Maria adds to the charm of this lovely square. You can climb the belfry to get views over the village and its primitive crypt is worth a visit too.
The Palace of the former kings of Aragon is also on the main square. Ainsa's centre was declared a National and Historic Monument in 1965.
Look out as well for the Casa Bielsa and Casa Arnal built in the 16th century, a time of great prosperity for Ainsa.
Ainsa also has a castle which dates back to the 11th century and the castle and its tower, The Tower of Tenente, are currently being restored.
The historic centre of Ainsa was largely abandoned in the 19th and 20th century and the town moved to the lower area around the base of the hill. This is part of the reason why the medieval village at the top of the hill is so unspoilt.
Day 2 - Visit Cirque du Gavarnie on the French side.
http://summer.gavarnie.com/
Day 2 - Stay at Lourdes
Day 3 - Visit St-Jean Pied de Port
At the foot of the Pyrenees, the town of St-Jean Pied de Port (St-Jean at the Foot of the Pass), 53km southeast of Bayonne, was for centuries the last stop in France for pilgrims heading south over the Spanish border, a mere 8km away, and on to Santiago de Compostela in western Spain. Today it remains a popular waypoint for hikers attempting the pilgrim trail – you're bound to see a few of them wandering along the main cobbled street of rue de la Citadelle.
The walled town itself is beautifully preserved, ringed by ramparts and topped off by a sturdy citadel. It's an ideal day trip from Bayonne, particularly on Monday when the market is in full swing.
djp_syd
Thanks! That was so much info! That route looks great. I had not even considered Ainsa. It looks fantastic. Thanks again, Mike
Don't thank me, thank Mr Google, and a bit of uncredited 'cut and paste'.
Ainsa from ... http://www.spainthisway.com/places/ainsa.php
St Jean de Port from ...
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/st-jean-pied-de-port
I haven't travelled over that route so am not familiar with any of the places I mention. I do remember being wowed by photos of Cirque du Gavarnie in a Readers Digest book when I was a school boy, so that has stuck in my mind. For the past few years my cousin has lived near Navarrenx on the French side, so I hope to get there some day.
Great, thanks again djp_syd
Navarrenx looks very nice also. All this will definitely help while planning our route. We may have to make it a 4 day journey!
If you decide that you like French side more, the Bearn area is very nice. I´ve never been to Navarrenx, but I like Salies de Bearn and San Jean.
Farther east, I suggest Mirepoix and Foix. Both are very charming places, the square in Mirepoix is amazing and the castle in Foix is very interesting.
St Jean pied du port is nice. Lourdes is nice, especially by the grotto. It is very touristy but you can just walk past those shops.
OK, I am on the fence about Lourdes. Seems like it might be bit too "touristy". All the advice concerning the small towns in France has been very helpful. A route thru those towns, once we cross the border, seems like a good plan...there will just be some tough choices.
Of use to consult when looking for villages with atmosphere...
