Barèges in the summer, butterfies, flowers, authentic Pyrenean mountain village in South-West France. Activities in and around the village

BARÈGES IN THE SUMMER

Barèges is the ideal spot to pass your summer holidays or a short break in the beautiful French Pyrenees. On the edge of the Neouvielle National Park, close to the world heritage site of the "Cirque de Gavarnie" there really is plenty of scope for the debutant or confirmed mountain hiker. Barèges is a perfect setting-off point for bird watching, animal spotting and flower-loving walkers.

Other activities a short car-ride away include para-gliding, rafting, riding and an acrobatic "Tarzan" park... There's also the famous Pic du Midi Observatory with superb mountain views, situated at 2800m altitude and accessible by cable-car.

Barèges itself is a small, largely unspoilt mountain village, with Thermal Spa waters (ideal for aching limbs at the end of a strenuous walk), an outdoor heated swimming pool (open July & August) for those who just want to loll about, trout fishing in the local streams, a climbing wall, a squash court, a cinema, and the usual butcher, baker, papershop and mini-mart. There are also bars and restaurants specialising in local cuisine.

During the summer there are several events organised in and around the village, with dances, numerous musical evenings, an astronomy week, outdoor festivities, fireworks to celebrate various fetes, and of course the passage of the prestigious Tour de France.
Barèges also plays host to the 4 SAISONS music festival during the second half of July.