Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum. We did a week in Pau one year before driving up to Bergerac to stay with DH's sister - it was nice - we drove into the Pyrenees easily from there and DH did some early starts to go for bike rides.
Was beautiful. Log in to update your newsletter preferences. Pau is a lovely town and the drive up into the Pyrenees is amazing. Loads of highland cattle and wild ponies and you can get a gondola lift up to the top.
We have stayed near Biarritz and loved it. We have also stayed nearer Perpignan and that was also lovely. Carcassonne in particular was amazing. We also stayed in a little village called Bize Minervois which was a picture perfect little place where you could swim in the river.
Another year we did a combined visit with Spain and stayed in San Sebastian which was also great. Beautiful beach and amazing food. Around Perpignan is great. If you stay south of there, near Collioure or Argeles, it's easy to travel into northern Spain too. Collioure is very pretty, very busy in summer but nice safe beaches - one sandy, two pebbly - lively, little independent shops, boat trips, music etc.
Lots of little art galleries, museums in the area. And some stunning castles like Peyreperthus to visit in the Tete valley. Great walking and cycling area too. You won't find any big hotels; tourists tend to self-cater, camp or stay in small family-run hotels. It's Catalonia so there's quite a Spanish feel to the area.
