The French Pyrenees

Tour Code: FRA20

An 8-day holiday of birdwatching and botanical walks in the high Pyrenees.

8 days from
£1,895 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,745

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Highlights

The Pyrenees contains large tracts of unspoiled wilderness and spectacular mountain scenery with a long-established tradition of pastoral agriculture. Its isolation from the rest of Europe and a wide range of habitats has led to a rich endemic flora and diversity of birds, butterflies and other insects. A comfortable family-run hotel in the quiet village of Gedre, close to the Parc National des Pyrénées, provides an ideal base, from which we explore the region on daily mountain walks, and the perfect European holiday for the all-round naturalist.

June is the best time to see the spring flora, after the winter snows have receded, and early enough to avoid the summer crowds. Breeding birds include Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Common Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Citril Finch and White-winged Snowfinch and butterflies can be numerous. September provides ideal walking conditions, autumn colours and fruits, late-flowering Gentians and endemic Crocus and Colchicum. Migrant birds cross the Pyrenees, often in huge numbers, at this time of year and we have our best opportunity to see the elusive Wallcreeper.

The perfect mountain holiday for the all-round naturalist
Friendly family-run hotel with excellent traditional cuisine
Daily mountain walks in and around the Pyrenees National Park – fabulous walking country
Spectacular Pyrenean scenery & delicious picnics
A diverse flora including many regional endemics
A range of breeding birds including Golden Eagle, Lammergeier and Griffon Vulture
Snow Finch, Alpine Accentor and possibilities of Wallcreeper and Black Woodpecker
Alpine Marmots and Pyrenean Chamois
A wealth of butterfly species and other insects
Guided by expert Naturetrek leader

Grading

Grade B. Day walks only.

The Pyrenees, that great barrier between France and Spain which rises to well over 3,000 metres and stretches for 450 kilometres from the blustery Atlantic to the sun-drenched Mediterranean, offers a scenic and cultural variety unmatched by other European mountain ranges. Its western extremities and north-facing (French ) slopes are largely wet, lush and green. Its southern (Spanish ) slopes, and those in the east (the Catalan-speaking French Roussillon ) are hot, dry and craggy, and carved by spectacular canyons. Naturally, such very different landscapes, and the climates that have fashioned them, provide for a very diverse flora and fauna.

On this holiday we will be exploring the Parc National des Pyrénées, situated in the high central region of the French Pyrenees. These north-facing slopes, closer to the Atlantic than the Mediterranean, are wet, green and well forested; in early summer their highest slopes remain snow-covered. Here, the high Pyrenean bird and mammal specialities are to be found amongst the most spectacular scenery; and the month of June, just before the hay is cut, is the best time to enjoy the wonderful flowering meadows of the Pyrenees, and their rich butterfly-life. Our base, throughout our stay, will be a pleasant country hotel in the quiet village of Gèdre. Situated at just over 1,000 metres, and a short drive from the magnificent Cirque de Gavarnie, Gèdre is an ideal base from which to explore the full spectrum of Pyrenean habitats during daily walking excursions.

The valleys that dissect the high peaks will be the main focus of our attention, with their high forests, mountain pastures and spectacular cirques. They offer fine walking and the best of high Pyrenean birds and flowers. The magnificent Cirque de Gavarnie and Port de Boucharo, on the Spanish border, comprise high limestone cliffs and screes, with imposing waterfalls that drain the dwindling glaciers. Overhead we will look out for Chough and Alpine Chough, Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier and Golden Eagle, whilst at ground level Snow Finch and Alpine Accentor feed around patches of melting snow. High cliffs will receive particular attention, for on these we will always have a chance of finding that most elusive of Pyrenean birds, the Wallcreeper.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘flower garden of Europe’, the rugged grandeur of the Pyrenees is complemented by an exciting and colourful flora, as diverse as anywhere in Europe. Notable in spring are drifts of daffodils, sweetly scented daphnes and the magnificent silver-leaved Pyrenean Saxifrage, Saxifraga longifolia subsp. longifolia. Many regional endemics reflect the long isolation of the Pyrenees from other European mountains and include such gems as Pyrenean Snakeshead, the yellow Pyrenean Lily, Ashy Cranesbill and that delightful member of the African Violet family Ramonda myconi.

The vast expanses of the Cirque de Troumouse and the neighbouring Cirque d’Estaubé, high above the tree-line, offer a different range of habitats, from pastures enlivened by drifts of white Pyrenean Buttercup, gentians and primroses, to rocky slopes with a wide range of alpine plants and dwarf shrubs. Pyrenean Chamois graze these upland pastures along with herds of domestic cattle and sheep. Breeding birds include Ring Ouzel, Rock Thrush and Citril Finch; Dippers fly along the rivers and raptors may include Booted and Bonelli’s Eagles, Goshawk and Peregrine. At lower altitudes, forests and meadows provide further botanical delights such as a profusion of orchids and specialities such as Horned Pansy and Pyrenean Hyacinth. Butterflies and other insects proliferate in the meadows and in the forests we may encounter Red Squirrel, Firecrest, Crested Tit and, with a little luck, the secretive Black Woodpecker.

This holiday, taking in the broad range of Pyrenean natural history, and offering a wide variety and choice of walking excursions, should suit a broad range of interests and abilities. We will also make the most of the local cuisine and liquid refreshments!

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Lourdes and then drive to Gèdre

Day 2/7

Walking excursions in the Parc National des Pyrénées

Day 8

Return London

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
A delightful, family-run hotel, all rooms with private facilities.
Food: All included in the price.

Reviews

Excellent organisation of the trip by our 2 leaders David and Sergio, who catered well for all of the different abilities amongst the clients in our group. The accommodation was clean, with a lovely warm welcome from the hosts, and beautiful French food. Every day was a new adventure of soul fulfilling, spectacular scenery, and nature finds. We saw endemic plant species, birds, insects, butterflies and mammals. We immersed ourselves fully, whilst walking, in the pure mountain air. Wonderful. The choice of trips available are numerous, varied and diverse, so this can mean some consideration and time involved before choosing the right one. Naturetrek always follow up any queries one may have regarding the trips such as travel arrangements, and with their informative prompt replies, one has the assurance needed before placing a deposit for a trip. They are also keen for clients to review trips, so you feel they want to get things right for the client, which is not always the case with other travel operators.
J.B. Norfolk, Jun 23
Our tour guide, David, is truly an expert on botanical matters and was very patient with all of our questions. His enthusiasm was infectious. It was a lovely area, added to by excellent weather. The hotel was also friendly and welcoming.
JM, Devon, Oct 19
David with his encyclopaedic knowledge of plants, geology, butterflies and birds was first class - he unreservedly smashed it! He brought the mountains alive in a way I would not have imagined possible.
ZL, Monmouthshire, Oct 19

The knowledge and expertise of both the tour leaders (David and Neil) was second to none. They were a tremendous font of knowledge about where to find the best botanic specimens and bird species. They were friendly, helpful and patient, and extremely enthusiastic about their subject matter! We were very impressed with both of them, and the experience of our second holiday with Naturetrek has left us with an appetite to do more!
SB, Nottinghamshire, June 2019

I went to see alpine flowers I had only seen samples of in botanical gardens. My father always talked about the wonders of mountain flowers that he had seen in his youth and so I promised myself that I would take the opportunity if I could manage it one day. The most wonderful thing apart from the glorious flowers and landscapes was our guides’ depth of knowledge and their endless patience when asked repeatedly the names of birds, butterflies and flora. I came away with a feeling that I had learnt a great deal and was more confident in my ability to recognise some of the wonderful things to be found in the Pyrenees.
C.C. New Zealand, June 19

A naturalist-guided week in the French Pyrenees, which exceeded our expectations in almost every respect. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable across a whole range of subject relating to flora and fauna, and we came home having learned a lot and with a new approach to looking at what is around us!
J.O. Berkshire, Sept 18

The holiday was memorable and very successful because of the energy, enthusiasm, endless patience and local knowledge of the leaders. I shall certainly travel on trips led by David in the future. He is a wonderful ambassador for Naturetrek and he worked extremely hard to give us a great holiday and to uphold the reputation of the company.
J.A. Lancashire

I travelled to the French Pyrenees and had a wonderful experience. The hotel was well chosen and was very flexible in catering for changes in mealtimes etc. The food was excellent, mostly local produce, and hotel staff were friendly and helpful. The guides were very knowledgeable both in terms of the geographical area as well as in the birds, plants and butterflies that people wanted to see. There was a wide range in interests, knowledge and walking ability and staff made every attempt to cater for everyone. The group itself was a friendly mix of like minded people, so the holiday was also enjoyable socially. The location was amazingly beautiful and rich in flora and fauna and I would thoroughly recommend the experience.
M.M. Co.Down

On Naturetrek's 8-day tour of the French Pyrenees we were treated to decades of combined experience of the birds, butterflies, plants, geology, trails and history of the region around Gavarnie. Every day we hiked - more or less strenuously as one preferred - and picnicked among the gorgeous peaks and cirques of the Pyrenees while spotting specimens of hundreds of birds and alpine plants. Our accommodations at a family run hotel and restaurant were stylish, clean and comfortable. All the staff made us feel at home. The views and the food were both very good.
J.S.P. West Yorkshire

Essentially, we had a great time in the Pyrenees. Mark was a good leader, extremely knowledgeable on the butterflies and plants. He was also pleasant and easy-going which put all four of us at ease. We saw an impressive range of butterflies, plants and birds. As a group we gelled together very well and Mark helped that process too. The hostel and food were of a good standard. I particularly enjoyed the local-style of cooking and the variety of meals throughout the week. Our picnics were also good. As for the locations and species seen, these were superb. Mark clearly knew his way around and took us to some stunning and productive sites...I would not hesitate to recommend both Mark as leader and the trip itself as a whole to anyone who expressed interest in going on any future Pyrennean butterfly holiday.
A.I.

Mark is a competent tour leader, very knowledgeable in all aspects of our trip. He was very patient thankfully. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone considering going on such a trip. Ideal leader for a butterfly trip and excellent also for botanists. (I learned a great deal!).
J.M. Scotland

This was our first guided holiday as we usually travel independently, but we were more than pleased with the outcome, and the excellent attention of the leaders. We have today booked another trip with you for next spring.
R. & A.D. Lancashire

Mark, our leader, was excellent. We cannot fault him - he was cheerful, helpful, friendly, energetic and did his best to make our stay as comfortable/safe/interesting as possible. Altogether - a fabulous trip - and we shall definitely be booking another very soon!
F.C. Wiltshire

Perfect location for the trip very well catered for and a good and helpful rapport between trip leader and hotel management.
C.L. & T.T. Suffolk

Despite the challenging weather, David's knowledge of the area enabled us to see the best areas of this region. The variety of habitats and their flora were stunning - sights of which were unforgettable. The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly and my compliments to the chef for the excellent meals provided. Another excellent value holiday from Naturetrek - Thank you!
D.C. Suffolk

This was my fourth holiday with Naturetrek - and David Tattersfield (Tour Leader). All the others had been excellent, so I came to this with high expectations and was certainly not disappointed! David really does make the most of every day - no opportunities are ever lost. Nine of the thirteen people in our group had been before on trips led by him - I think that says it all! ... The walks were absolutely stunning and quite challenging and yet we all (despite our varying physical abilities!) had a wonderful week with a real sense of achievement and satisfaction at the end - all thanks to David's skill as a leader. This skill, combined with his amazing botanical knowledge and his genuine desire to share it with his group makes his trips so enjoyable and special. Add to this David's fabulous picnics (such variety!), excellent meals at the hotel, and long evenings (often until 10.30pm) discussing the day's highlights - it just couldn't have been better.
J.N. Norfolk

David Tattersfield was excellent as always. He used his experience well to make good judgements about the itinerary in a late season related to the weather forecast.
S.L. Devon

Excellent tour leaders/experts. Friendly atmosphere at all times, with fellow travellers and tour leaders. As slower travellers, we were never made to feel an inconvenience. Lovely, comfortable, friendly hotel/staff and owners.
A.M.E. Avon

Thank you for another excellent holiday. The combined knowledge of the two leaders was really good. This is the second trip we have done with David Tattersfield, and although birds are our main passion, David has taught us so much about botany with his wonderful enthusiasm and patience that he has helped us to develop an interest in the subject.
Mr & Mrs A. London

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Tue 23rd Sep – Tue 30th Sep SPACES £1,895

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,745

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£195

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            [description] => Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides
There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?

All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife

What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?

Travel with a group of like-minded people
Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora

In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  

Our specialist recommends...


"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader

All Botany Tours
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:

Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
 

Our specialist recommends...


"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader

  
 
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - June 2017

Tour report - June 2016

Tour report - June 2015

Tour report - June 2014

Tour report - September 2013

Tour report - June 2013

Tour report - September 2012

Tour report - June 2012

Tour report - June 2010

Tour report - June 2009

Tour report - September 2008

Tour report - September 2007

Tour report - June 2007

Tour report - July 2006

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!