EMBRACE NATURE

THE GR10, THE GREAT PYRENEAN CROSSING

The famous GR10 trail is for keen trekkers. It runs through the Pyrenean Mountains from Hendaye to Banyuls and takes 2 months to complete. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine section (270km) brings hikers 10 days of Basque villages with red and white buildings and leafy valleys, Col de La Pierre Saint-Martin and mountain lakes leading you deep into the Pyrenees National Park. Spend the night in hostels, hotels, B&Bs, shelters or camp under the stars!

Basque Country: set off from Hendaye by the Atlantic Ocean then tackle your first peak, the Rhune, and the Basque villages of Sare, Aïnhoa and Bidarray; Drink in views of the Irouléguy vineyard and venture through Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry to reach Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Basque Mountain: from Saint-Jean-Pied de-Port to La-Pierre-Saint-Martin up to the Cize and Soule summer pastures. Stop in Iraty.

Béarn: cross the limestone plateau in La-Pierre-Saint-Martin to Arrens before entering the Pyrenees National Park and exploring the iconic Pic du Midi d’Ossau.

To-do list: complete the Bidarray-Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port stage then take the train back through the Nive Valley with the Basque mountains above you. Set off from Bayonne.

LAC DE VASSIVIÈRE, A SLICE OF CANADA

At 1000ha, it’s one of the region’s largest lakes and an incredible place to live and visit. Its woodland landscapes, islands and peninsulas have an air of Scandinavia or Canada about them.

Unmissable: Centre International d’Art et du Paysage celebrating contemporary art, Île de Vassivière,Broussas and Auphelle beaches.

To-do list: explore the lake on a ferry, try an outdoor sport (sailing, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing,fishing, trail running), go on a guided tour around the lake, let off steam in Vassiviera or visit the dam.

MILLEVACHES REGIONAL NATURE PARK

The park lies north east of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and countless rivers start here (Vézère, Vienne,
Taurion). It’s paradise for nature lovers no matter the season: visitor sites and trails, countless
things to do including hiking, cycling, horse riding, donkey trekking and water sports. Endangered
wildlife call it home and it’s a hotspot for migratory birds.

Unmissable: Lac de Vassivière, Tourbière du Longeyroux peatland, the towns of Meymac, Felletin,
Eymoutiers and Treignac (4 gateways to the park).

To-do list: MTB from the Chamberet or Eygurande bases, fishing. Pick up the Voyage(s) en
Millevaches booklet for a list of visitor sites and trails. Available at all Tourist Information centres.