Walking-Foodie Itineraries

 

September 2011

 

Day 1

All participants will be met at Pau railway station at 15.15. This is the arrival time of the TGV 8514 from Paris, Montparnasse. Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour. Participants will be taken to the hotel in Monein, approximately 20 minutes away. Those who are not using this pick-up service will make their own way to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served before dinner with folk singers performing local traditional songs.

Day 2

Quick bus ride to walk along country lanes with beautiful mountain views to the village of Lagor. After lunch in the village we will go to Abos, where I grew up, to play some ancient games with some of the locals. Dinner in Pau.

Day 3

Bus trip to Salies de Béarn for a tasting of the local red and white wines, followed by a visit and tasting at an organic duck farm where traditional ancient methods are still used. We will have lunch in the beautiful village of Laas and then visit its chateau and gardens. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4

Journey by bus to Oloron to visit the twelfth century Cathedral of St Marie and learn about its unique treasures. We will then have time to visit the local market followed by lunch in the spectacular Basque mountain village of Larrau. Before we make our way back to the hotel we will go to the top of La Madeleine to admire the magnificent 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5

Bus trip into the Valley d'Ossau for a walk on the spectacular Plateau du Benou, well known by Tour de France enthusiasts!! Picnic lunch, followed by a visit to an observatory where we will watch and learn about the Pyrenees vultures in their natural habitat. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6

Journey by bus to the village of Gavarnie for a two hour return walk to Le Cirque de Gavarnie listed on the World Heritage. Picnic lunch. On the way back, quick stop to see the twelfth century fortified church in the village of Luz St Sauveur. Dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Day 7

Off to a local Ferme Auberge to learn some local recipes. After enjoying lunch we will go to Pau where you will have time to wander shop or visit its museums. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8

Bus trip into the Valley d'Aspe for a walk along part of the ancient Compostella pilgrimage trail into the village of Bedous. The bus will then take us up into the tiny mountain top village of Aydius for a picnic lunch before a short walk downhill to a goat farm where we will meet the goats and taste the cheese. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Day 9

The bus will take all the participants to Pau railway station to catch the 11.45 TGV 8541 for Paris. This will be the only transport organised that day. [The TGV ticket is not included in package] Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour.

 

September 2012

 

Day 1

All participants will be met at Pau railway station at 15.15. This is the arrival time of the TGV 8514 from Paris, Montparnasse. Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour. Participants will be taken to the hotel in Monein, approximately 20 minutes away. Those who are not using this pick-up service will make their own way to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served before dinner with folk singers performing local traditional songs.

Day 2

Breakfast.
Journey by bus to the village of Gavarnie for a two hour return walk to Le Cirque de Gavarnie listed on the World Heritage. Picnic lunch. On the way back, quick stop to see the twelfth century fortified church in the village of Luz St Sauveur. Dinner in a nearby restaurant..

Day 3

Breakfast.
Bus trip to Salies de Béarn for a tasting of the local red and white wines, followed by a visit and tasting at an organic duck farm where traditional ancient methods are still used. We will have lunch in the beautiful village of Laas and then visit its chateau and gardens. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4

Breakfast.
Bus trip into the Valley d'Aspe for a walk along part of the ancient Compostella pilgrimage trail into the village of Bedous. The bus will then take us up into the tiny mountain top village of Aydius for a picnic lunch before a short walk downhill to a goat farm where we will meet the goats and taste the cheese. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5

Breakfast.
Check out of the hotel to make our way to St Jean Pied de Port via the mountain route. Free time to wander this historical town followed by lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we will visit a chili farm before settling into our hotel in the village of Esplette. Dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Day 6

Breakfast.
Bus trip to the village of Irouléguy where we will start our 8 km country lane walk to the village of St Étienne de Baigorry. After our picnic lunch we will stroll around the village and later visit a Basque pig farm in the Valley des Aldudes. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7

Breakfast.
Bus trip to the village of Irouléguy where we will start our 8 km country lane walk to the village of St Étienne de Baigorry. After our picnic lunch we will stroll around the village and later visit a Basque pig farm in the Valley des Aldudes. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8

Breakfast.
Free time in the morning to relax followed by a short walk in Itxassou before lunch. After lunch we will play some traditional French games. Farewell drinks followed by dinner at the hotel.

Day 9

Breakfast.
The bus will take all the participants to Bayonne railway station in the morning to catch the 11.11 TGV 8534 for Paris, Montparnasse. This will be the only transport organised that day. [The TGV ticket is not included in package] Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour.