P - Pyrenees

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2014.html

My husband spent nine years of his youth climbing in the Pyrénées, a Mountain range that creates the border between France and Spain. I love these mountains, and not just because my husband does. There is just SO much to do and see! We’ve enjoyed “Canyoning” a mix of climbing and swimming, discovering restaurants, and the “devil’s bridge”, and an old fort called the “Donjon des Aigles,” (Fort of the Eagles) renovated to house and show birds of prey. Small sheep/goat/cattle farms like those at Sost, make and sell their own cheeses. Andorra is another country set right between France and Spain, where gas (and almost everything) is cheaper than in the bigger neighbors because it has ski resorts and no sales tax! The Pyrénées on the Spanish side are much drier and surprise you into thinking them a different mountain range all together. On the French side the countryside changes continuously from one region to the next, speckled with ancient forts and castles like Foix. Here you’ll find Lourdes, where the waters and grotto draw pilgrims all year long, not to mention the spa town of Luchon and the distinctive horses of Merens-Les-Vals. The Atlantic end has the BasqueCountry with its distinctive architecture, history, and colors. The Mediterranean end sports towns like Collioure, a perfect example of life in the sun with a touch of history. Not to mention beaches stretching out like half-clothed women in the sun. Trekking, climbing, enjoying the views is always in demand and one such place is where the Pyrénées’ rugged spine is broken and called the “Brèche de Roland.” Legend has it that Roland broke through with his sword and marched on to a glorious win against the Saracens in Spain.

Here is a GREAT site for information about the Breche, Gavarnie, andthe mountains in general. 

The Pyrénées have just about anything you could wish to see… Okay, stopping now!

Canyoning in the Pyrennes

The water is cold but the rock formations magnificent.

Le Pont du Diable, The Devil's Bridge near Foix

Le Donjon des Aigles near Tarbe.

A mad dash for the hills in Sost!

Yep, that's a cow going by right outside the car window. We had to stop to let the herd pass.

The farm at Sost, owned by the famille Sost for nine hundred years! New buildings here of course...

Andorra...

A village on the Spanish side...

The gorge for canyoning on the Spanish side

Luchon

Merens-les-Vals

The distinctive Merens horses.

Lourdes

St. Jean de Luz, the Basque Country

Collioure at night

Collioure's colors...

Hiking in the Pyrenees, Elizabeth Barwick during her first trip to France.

Mountain islands among the clouds at sunset...

Do you see the sheep dotting the mountainside?

Le Breche de Roland, Roland's Break, very clear to see here...