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The Pyrenees |
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The mountain chain which stretches out from sea to sea and which forms the natural border between France and Spain, was created between 380 and 280 million years ago. Spain was pushed against France with such might, that the mountains came into existence and in the course of time the Pyrenees were shaped and formed by erosion, until they became what we see today.
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In prehistoric times, when great floods
covered many parts of Europe, the
mountainous areas such as the Montagne Noire,
the Massif Central and the Pyrenees were
islands where life continued. Especially in
these regions prehistoric man lived, of whom
the oldest remains in Europe (450.000 years
old) were found in the caves near Tautavel.
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The Cro-Magnon, a descendant from the South
African San people, who replaced the cavemen
of Europe about 30.000 years ago, also lived
in the Pyrenean mountains as a shepherd. By
6000 B.C., their herds had become so huge
that the landscape of the lower Pyrenees had
changed completely by overgrazing. Keeping
sheep and goats was the main means of
survival in the mountains and valleys of the
Pyrenees.
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Archaeological finds prove that from the early days of the shepherd existence in Neolithic times, man was helped by a dog. The dogs protected the herds against attacks from bears and wolves and helped the shepherd to round up the animals when moving from one place to another.
This dog is called the Pyr Shep. Even today it is a beloved dog and it still assists the modern day shepherds during their lonely Summers up in the mountains. |
The
shepherds in the Pyrenees have a unique way
of communicating with one another. It
reminds me of the original inhabitants of
the Canary Islands and some Native Americans.
They communicate by a language of
whistles...
The Pyrenees are partly protected as a
wildlife area. In 1967, the Pyrénées
National Park was founded. About 50.000
hectares of Haute-Pyrénées and
Pyrénées-Atlantiques contain beautiful
natural areas such as Midi d'Ossau,
Balaitous, Vignemale, Néouvielle Peaks,
Gavarnie and Troumousse Cirques (above 3000
meters). Here we find the high mountain
waterfalls, forests and lakes. The rivers
Gaves, Adours and Nestes have their source
here.
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There is a difference in landscape
between the French Pyrenees and the
Spanish Pyrenees. The French
Pyrenees are very steep. The
mountains are cut through by valleys,
which from time forgotten have
functioned as trade routes. The most
famous of them all is the Pas de la
Casa, an ancient trade route on
which still many people travel to
and fro Andorra, the small mountain
state between France and Spain. |
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The
Pyrenees have also produced kings. Charles
V, Louis XIV, the present royal family of
Spain and Sweden and the maharajas of Bopal
all have Pyrenean ancestors. The mountain
region is also the habitat of a unique
fauna. Several brown bears and wolves live
in the mountains and also a herd of 2500
wild goats roam the national park. It is
also the realm of the big birds like the
eagles and Pyrenean vultures. Because of the
differences in height and the different
temperatures in the mountains, there is a
very divers flora such as rhododendrons,
daffodils, blue irises, edelweiss, 'ramondias'
and many other beautiful wild flowers.
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The Pyrenean region is known for its
tales and legends. According to one of these
legends, the mountains were named after
Pyrene, the daughter of the king of Cerdagne.
She was so beautiful, that even Hercules,
before he would start the last of his 10
works, couldn't help but court the lady. She
fell in love with him and decided to follow
him after he had left. Unfortunately, the
girl was attacked and devoured by wild
animals. |
When Hercules heard of her death, he visited her grave lombrives and was so devastated, that he put over her grave so many stones, that the Pyrenees were formed. Of course also witches and gnomes play parts in the tales of the mountain people. There are many feasts and processions among which the Feast of the Bear and the Feast of St. Firmin. One would fight a battle between Good and Evil. A modern proof of valued tradition.
Andorra
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The tiny mountain state of Andorra
lies between France and Spain and is only
464 km² small. Many people visit Andorra
because of the tax free shopping, but one
often doesn't realise that there is only so
much you are allowed to take home. The
Customs usually patrol at l'Hospitalet, not
the border, and when you are caught with too
many cigarettes or alcoholic beverages in
the back of your car, you will not only lose
your newly bought goodies, but you will also
be fined quite heavily. So make sure you
keep to your maximum. |
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Also, many people drive all the way to Andorra la Vella, the capital, for their shopping, but often find out that there is no parking space left. It is so crowded and apart from many other countries, the shops are all closed here on Tuesday and between 12.00 and 15.00 hours all other days.
When there is a feast, they all close without warning. If you decide to go to Andorra for the shopping, then go to Pas de la Casa, which is more convenient and pleasant. |
When you come to Andorra for the country and its sights, then perhaps you will enjoy a visit to Les Escaldes near Andorra la Vella, an ancient spa town where two rivers meet. Or visit Encamp, which lies on a height of 1266 meters, from which a cable lift will take you to 1622 meters to a mountain lake, the Lac d'Engolasters. The views are magnificent. Encamp also has the highest belltower in Andorra. There is also a car museum with old cars from 1898 to 1950. On the other side of Encamp lies Les Bons, with its beautiful Santa Roma church.
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But you do not have to go to Andorra to enjoy the Pyrenees. The trip to Ax-les-Thermes from Quillan is already worth exploring. You will cross the Ariège and the Cathar village Montaillou, famous thanks to the impressive book by Emmanuel le Roy Ladurie. Sniff in the mountain air from the Col de Chioula.
Ax-les-Thermes is a famous spa town where since Celtic and Roman times people came to 'take the waters'. There are several souvenir shops and lovely little restaurants. And when there is a market, do try the goat cheese, it's the best I've ever tasted! |
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Copyright Anneke Koremans
(www.panoccitania.com)! |
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Twenty kilometres southeast of Tarascon, and still on the river, the spa town of AX-LES-THERMES is completely walled in by mountains and its principal value is as a base for exploring the surrounding peaks and as a staging post on the way to Andorra or on down the N20 to Font-Romeu and, ultimately, Perpignan and the Mediterranean. The town itself is small and agreeable enough, but there's little to see once you've wandered a couple of streets in the quarter to the right of the N20, which forms the main street, avenue Delcassé. Rue de l'École and rue de la Boucarie retain a few medieval buildings, and above place du Breilh, the church of St-Vincent is of architectural interest for its Romanesque tower. Just across the road you can dangle your feet for free in the Bassin des Ladres, a pool of hot sulphurous water which is all that remains of the hospital founded in 1260 by St Louis for soldiers wounded in the Crusades....
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 9-Holes.
With its 9 holes (par 36 - 2517meter - 1985 The golf course was embedded in the still natural mountainous landscape. The 9-hole course offers several variations and a wonderful view on the surroundings. Especially the water hazards offer a few difficulties, but whit their clear water they do indeed offer a little refreshment, too....
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Located at the entrance of the village of Roquefort in Sault (direct access from Axat), Camping "Madres Pyrenees", open during the summer, offers vacationers an enabling environment for rest and quiet. Located just outside the stream Clarianelle, with a petanque, a barbecue and of course all the comforts required health, it is the perfect setting for a holiday with family or friends....
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The Aguzou cave is remarkable for its beauty and its mineral profusion. Unusual visits are proposed in the form of subterranean walks. The first part of the cave (Aguzou 1 on the map) was already known in prehistoric times because of its healing waters. It was developed as a thermal resort at the beginning of the 20th century. A second network of galleries was discovered in 1965. Another 6 km (4 miles) of breathtaking galleries were found, 1500 m (1600 yd) of which are now open to the public. The cave is still absolutely natural: there has been no artificial lighting installed, and no ostentatious arrangements. Visits are organized for small groups only, in the form of an underground hike...
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