France - Butterflies of the Pyrenees

Tour Code: FRA03

An 8-day holiday in search of the profusion of butterflies, and other natural history, to be found on gentle day walks in the French Pyrenees.

8 days from
£1,995
Land only price from
£1,795
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

On this holiday we’ll explore the Parc National des Pyrénées on foot, using well-maintained mountain trails for a series of gentle day walks to enjoy the best of the great number and diversity of butterflies to be found in the hay meadows, woods and alpine pastures of this high central region of the French Pyrenees. We’ll set out each day from our friendly family-run hotel, serving traditional French fare, to enjoy some of the best mountain scenery in the Pyrenees as well as the birds, flowers and mammals that we may encounter during our search for butterflies.

  • A wealth of butterfly species (70-100) including Pyrenean specialities
  • Apollo, Clouded Apollo, alpine ringlets & whites at high altitudes
  • Scarce, Purple-shot & Purple-edged Coppers
  • The very rare Gavarnie Blue plus a host of other blues & fritillaries
  • Alpine flowers including Alpenrose, plus gentians, saxifrages & orchids
  • Spectacular Pyrenean scenery & delicious picnics in flower-filled meadows
  • Look out for Marmot & Chamois
  • Golden Eagle, Lammergeier & Griffon Vulture
  • Expert naturalist guide with superb local knowledge

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
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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
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 2nd Jul – Wed 9th Jul SPACES £1,995
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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.
£1,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
John Davis

Tour Leader: John Davis

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.

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Why Naturetrek?

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:

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  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

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