The Pyrenees National Park

Touching nature

Advised by Julie , Holiday planner

The Pyrenees National Park was created in 1967 to preserve the biodiversity, the countryside and the magnificent sites of the central Pyrenees, so that your stay will be full of discoveries and surprises.

The Pyrenees National Park is the most visited of all of France’s nine National Parks.

For 41 years more than 45700 hectares of nature have been protected. It is an exceptional environment, almost uninhabited and preserved. There is a wonderful concentration of way-marked routes to discover an exceptional scenery with a rich and diverse biodiversity.
The Pyrenees National Park possesses the most original flora in Europe : 160 endemic species (Ramonda, a throwback to the tertiary period, the rare Pyrenean Lily). The fauna, shows great diversity but is very fragile, and is worth seeking out : The Isard, the Bearded Vulture (largest European bird of prey)…

The Pyrenees National Park welcomes walkers and offers themed outings with their wardens during the summer months. There is also an all year round programme of activities organised in conjunction with local guides. Typical themes are the flora and fauna, discovery of the development of human settlements. Do not hesitate to pop into of the local tourist offices and national park centres to discover more.

In each valley the national park centres are there to welcome visitors, to offer advice on walking routes, to organise conferences, to show films, and stage exhibitions.

A National Park is a protected area with specific rules of use. Never forget that you are the privileged guest of nature!

Sur un rocher, dans un carré blanc est peint à l'encre rouge la tête d'un isard avec de chaque coté les initiales du Parc National

Welcoming and hospitable, the National Park opens its gates to a sanctuary of beauty. Walk, climb, observe, dip your feet in the rivers, fish, photograph… but always behave responsibly.
Nature does not appreciate radios, sweet wrappers, picnic debris, even biodegradable. It takes 3 - 6 months for a banana skin or an eggshell to breakdown, 100 years for a drinks can.. 100 to 1000 years for a plastic cup, 4000 years for a glass bottle!

No dogs allowed, even on a lead to protect the wild animals (only sheep dogs are allowed)
No picking of plants, animals, plants and fossils are part of the countryside.
No guns, here all the animals are protected.
No fires, to avoid fires and destroying the soil.
No camping, to preserve the beauty of the sites and to avoid pollution.
Bivouac strictly controlled, allowed if al least one hour’s walk from road access, tents must be put down between 9am and 7pm.
No vehicles, the area is to be enjoyed on foot, all circulation is banned unless on authorised routes (including mountain biking).
No paragliding or other such sports; overflying at less than 100m of altitude is not allowed so as not to disturb the animals.

Dogs are not allowed into the National Park, make a provision for your dog to be looked after whilst you enjoy your walk, there are numerous establishments which offer day care.