Between France and Spain run the Pyrenees, with spas and winter sports centers, seaside resorts, mountain amphitheaters, such as the Gavarnie, with a waterfall 1450 feet high, subterranean grottos and caves rich in prehistoric finds. Biarritz is the smartest of Atlantic seaside resorts. There is an 18 hole golf course, casino, restaurants (while here you must try Cargolade – grilled snails with peppers; or fried eels a la bordelaise) and several de luxe hotels. Far more picturesque and intimate is the fishing port of Saint Jean de Luz.
Eastward along the mountain range is Pau, the starting point for tours of the Pyrenees. Every year millions of visitors come to the pilgrimage city of Lourdes to see the grotto where in 1858 St Bernadette had visions of the Virgin Mary. The most important pilgrimage takes place from 18 to 25 August. Luchon, overlooking Spain, has excellent ski runs and thermal baths.
You must see the Grotto of Gargas, near Saint Bertrand, whose vault is covered with the prehistoric imprints of mutilated hands and the caves of Mas d’Azil, near Saint Girons, with its fascinating rock drawings of horses, bison, reindeer and cats – the Caverne Merveilleuese extends for two and a half miles. These caves were used during World War Two as aircraft factories.
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