The French Pyrenees

Tour Code: FRA20

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

8 days from
£1,895
Land only price from
£1,745
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

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

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
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 23rd Sep – Wed 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
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Tattersfield
TL David Tattersfield

Tour Leader: David Tattersfield

David graduated in Botany and went on to do research in upland ecology. During a career with the Nature Conservancy Council and as a horticulturist with the National Trust for Scotland, he gained an extensive knowledge of the world's mountain floras. He is an energetic, experienced field botanist and photographer, and his love of mountains and wilderness has taken him to five continents. Above all, he enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with others and has led trips for Naturetrek to a variety of destinations in Europe, north and south Africa and central Asia. Between tours David is based in Kirkmichael in highland Perthshire, where he works as a horticultural and ecological consultant and lectures on his travels.

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:

  • 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!

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