The Iberian Wandering - Day 24: Two French Pyrenees Destinations

We went to two peak viewing sites today, after an overpriced continental breakfast at the Lourdes Best Western.  (A big comedown from our last hotel in Ainsa)

The drive into the mountains was the usual windy roads, replete with hazardous drivers and blind curves.  Still, we made it to the first location unharmed.

Col du Tourmalet is the highest pass in the French Pyrenees at 2115 meters & a legendary climb on the Tour de France cycling race.  

The sun was out, lighting up the nearby peaks nicely.

Next we made our way back down and then pointed the car at the town of Gavarnie, site of the Gavarnie Cirque. A bowl formation of mountain peaks within the national park.

The weather was overcast when we first got to a viewing point on the Chemin Cirque:

Disappointed with the view and disgruntled at the 8 euro parking charge, we turned back to the car.  We were unhappy with the parking charge, you see, because past the "mandatory" parking, we found cheaper parking closer to the viewing areas.

Anyways, we got back to the main plaza and saw the sun come out from behind the clouds.  Sigh, off we went back towards the viewing areas, this time taking the rockier Chemin de Espagne.

Some quick hustling up the rocky path got us these views:

Heading back down the trail once we lost the sun back behind the clouds; we checked out the L'église de St Jean-Baptiste de Gavarnie.  A small church, part of the French route taking pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.  

Santiago or St. James 

Heading back to the Gavarnie village, some more sights:

Like seemingly all the French we've had interactions with this trip, even this French cat had a sneering attitude.

Note:  Spanish cats have proven warily curious.  The above cat made low snarling noises.

A small creek flowing rapidly with Spring Melt waters:

Note: if you only have time for one peak viewing attraction, go for Col du Tourmalet instead of Gavarnie.

Spanish meal time rules do not apply in France.  Here they shut down at 1 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. apparently, to include grocery stores!  So, we failed to give money for food at 2-3 places and finally gave up and found lunch at McDonald's in Lourdes.

A couple of views of Lourdes from our hotel's third floor fire escape:  

Chateau-Fort Pyrenees Museum 

Famille Missionnaire de Notre-Dame

( I think)

Yes, fire escape.  Our room has a lovely view of the dirty looking train station. 

We'll not be contributing further to the local economy, leaving tomorrow to return to Spain.  The Spanish may not be noticeably welcoming but feeling actively unwelcome by the French is something else.  

I used to think it was just the Parisian French that had this attitude. I think it's now more widespread. Oh well.