Western France/Pyrenees places to go.

[mechsympathy]

We're off on our hols soon We're planning to drive down from Cherbourg to the Pyrenees for some off-roading.

I'm looking for quiet beaches, good wine and cheese and anything cultural if it really is too good to miss. And if anyone knows any good off-road routes in the Pyrenees that would be very handy.


(I can't wait)

[S2rr Kitty]

Hi dude, I've been to the Pyrenees several times during the last few summers - on bikes but also in search of good roads....

If you take some of the smaller, higher passes into Spain you won't go wrong & have a great time (IIRC) Colombie was awesome - watch out for cyclists - they are mental - and if you take your dog it's advisable not to throw a stick for it to play with when you're having a picnic!

P.S. where is the magician today??

He may know some roads?

[mechsympathy]

Cheers:thumbsup: We're taking our landy though, so I suspect the roads you had most fun on will just be slow and laborious for us

[S2rr Kitty]

Actually, mid summer it's pretty hard to go fast thru some of the higher passes - you really have to keep your wits about you!

If you're doing the coastal route then you could try heading towards the Picos Mountains once you get over to the Spanish side..... if you're heading inland there are some lovely towns such as Auch about an hour from the foot of the Pyrenees

[targarama]

The whole coastline from Bordeaux to Biarritz is peaceful, sandy, lots of camping. I'm not sure, but maybe you can even get on the beach in 4x4s (I have no idea either way but it's quiet enough).

One must visit place en-route is Arcachon and the Dune de Pilas. When I was a student in Bordeaux we used to hitchhie out there on weekends - lovely.

[mechsympathy]

S2rr Kitty said:

If you're doing the coastal route then you could try heading towards the Picos Mountains once you get over to the Spanish side..... if you're heading inland there are some lovely towns such as Auch about an hour from the foot of the Pyrenees

We're not going that far, current plan is to amble down the west coast over a few days, spend a week exploring the western Pyrenees (We've been to the eastern end a few times) and then amble home again. We're planning to take in a bit of vin rouge in the Loire/Bordeaux and visit the Dune de Pyla (thanks Tagarama)



>>And another pic


>> Edited by mechsympathy on Monday 16th May 15:46

[andy4200]

Dune du Pyla is great, I love it there. If you are going at the beginning of June there is the Wagas festival on at the time. Access to the take off is through the Pyla Camping site. Really worth seeing some of it if you are around. The top few in the world usually turn up for it.

[wedgepilot]

Biarritz and the Loire Valley are worth a look. I did a similar drive years and years ago, down the western coast, then across to Perpignan and over into Spain. Lovely area.