| Pyrenees |
|
GPS Co-ordinates: Address: Type of aire: Aire municipal
      Aire at Gourette Gourette-EauxBonnes, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Dept 64. 1350-2400m Gourette is a small purpose-built resort not far from the Spanish border high in the French Pyrenees. Access to the village from Pau (50 km from Gourette) is straightforward and only the last few miles is on mountain roads with several hairpin bends. From Pau take the N134 to Gan and then the D934 marked ‘Col d’Aubisque’ and Laruns where there are two good Aires. After leaving Laruns turn left onto the D918 for Eaux-Bonnes and Gourette. Try and avoid arriving at the weekend and during school half term in February when it is very busy. On the way up you will pass Camping Caravaning Ley which can be used if the Aire in the village is full. A free bus runs all day from here to the resort. On entering the village proceed until roundabout by main complex and take 2nd exit along the side of the complex for parking Cardet. There are spaces for 32 motorhomes and is only 50m from the centre of the resort complex and the lifts. We were there at half term on our way back from Spain and it was packed. Unlike the French Alp resorts the people are much more friendly but their second language is Spanish not English. They also have many Spanish visitors but no English which we thought was a bonus. Prices are more realistic than the Alps and there were plenty of shops and Restaurants. The downside is that their snow record early in the season has been poor but later in the season has been better. The service point (Euro-Relais 2€) looks on the map to be situated next to the car park but is in fact up above the car park. You therefore have to leave the car park and drive up a steep hill to another parking area where the service point is situated. If busy you must reserve your parking spot somehow. The skiing is pleasant although with only about 25 kms of runs a few days will be adequate. There is some good off-piste but when we were there we were unable to try it. There are 6 lifts servicing 1 black, 12 red, 9 blue and 5 green runs. There are two mountain restaurants where the prices are very reasonable and the food very good. Thanks to Peter Gordon
Saint-Lary Soulon, Hauts-Pyrenees, Dept 65. 830-2400m From Lannemezan, where there is an Aire situated off the main square, take the D929 for Saint-Lary Soulon a distance of about 25 miles. Parking for Camping-Cars is situated off Route de Vielle Aure to the north of the town. There is no skiing in the town so everyone has to take the cable car up to Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet at 1700m. It is from here that all the ski lifts depart into the heart of the skiing area. The area boasts 100 kms of ski runs with 183 snow guns and 32 ski lifts made up of 1 cable-car, 1 gondola, 11 chairlifts and 18 tow lifts. There are 55 runs with 7 green, 25 blue, 14 red and 9 black. The Aire de Service costs are as follows: To service your ‘van using the Euro-Relais is 2€. Parking overnight from 19h to 8h costs 6€.
Piau-Engaly, Hauts-Pyrenees, Dept 65. 1800-2600m Piau-Engaly is another ski resort 12 miles further up from Saint-Lary on the D118 towards the Bielsa Tunnel into Spain. It is approx 750 miles from Calais. It is a steep ascent up a fairly steep narrow winding road about 3 km long with many hairpin bends and some parts without barriers. They keep the road clear in the Winter months as it is one of the main routes into Spain. Good advice would be to arrive before 15.00 or after 18.00 and do not leave after 07.30 until about 11.00 as tour coaches arrive and leave at these times and meeting one of these on this road could prove hairy. The resort is purpose built high up in the Pyrenees on the Spanish border. There is not much nightlife or shopping, there are restaurants/cafes but they all are small. There is also a small supermarket and trinket shop. Plenty of skiing shops. They have dedicated car park P5 for Camping-Cars and have provided space for 120 Motorhomes. The site is all tarmac and is reasonable level in most parts. 4 amp electric, you hook up and wait for the guy to come along and switch you on. English is not spoken. €11.30 per night, pitch and electric. The car park is adjacent to the ski slopes. There are heated toilets at the bottom of the site with water, dump and rubbish facilities (RV's need macerator). Its a 200 yard walk to the slopes and according to a French couple the slopes are steeper than you normally find in the Alps. Skiing: There are 65 kms of runs on 41 pistes with 7 black, 9 red, 29 blue and 5 green runs. Due to its height snow conditions are generally good throughout the season.
Other resorts which provide Aire de Service/Camping that are worth visiting are:
The Domaine Touralet is one of the largest linked ski areas in the Pyrenees with 45 lifts, 126 snow canons, 100km ski runs. La Mongie is 1800m with Bareges at 1250m and highest point at 2500m. There is also a cable car that goes to an observatory at a height of 2872m.
|
