Time to Spare
While in the area why not take the time to visit some of the local points of interest - or even spend a day in Spain.
UNESCO World Heritage Site collectors are well served. The following are all accessible for a day trip. Distances are long in France but roads are good and not usually busy.
Bordeaux (listed 2007 - 90 minutes) For those who have not visited the town for ten or more years you should return. The city has been cleaned the riverside revitalised. Museums, Art Galleries, Shopping, Architecture, Food.
St Emilion (listed 1999 - 2 hours) Wine - the Romans grew vines here, Architecture - Romanesque Church, narrow winding streets etc..
Carcassonne (listed 1997 - 3 hours) Fabulous fortified city. Well worth the trip.
Canal du Midi (listed 1996 - 90 minutes) 17th Century canal linking the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Albi (listed 2010 - 2 hours 30 minutes) The Episcopal City in the centre of Albi and, in particular, the Palais de la Berbie are in themselves worth a trip. The latter also houses a superb Toulouse-Lautrec museum.
The Routes of Santiago de Compestela (listed 1998) There are 78 structures listed by UNESCO along these routes which all come together in the region. Most of those listed are Churches or "Hospitals" (hotels) which serve(d) the pilgrims.
Causses and Cévennes (listed 2011 - 2 hours) Listed for its agro-pastoralism and the diffusion of French Protestanism.
Or for the more energetic
The Pyrenees (2 hours) for walking, cycling or just looking.
The Basque Coast (2 hours) for surfing, swimming, beaches and food.
Golf Talk to Peter about local courses.
and just for visiting
La Ferme aux Cerfs (2 minutes) Deer and Sanglier to visit, feed and pet.
La Tour de Termes (20 minutes) Medieval keep and museum with great views.
Les Grottes de Bétharram (1 hour 15 minutes) Extensive and enormous cave system. Great to visit complete with train and boat in the caves. Always 13 degrees so cool on a hot day.
Armagnac and wine tasting (5 minute to 1 hour) You will see lots of signs for "degustation" next to farms. This is an invitation to try (and buy!) Armagnac made on the premises. Unlike Cognac, where there are a few large producers, Armagnac is a cottage industry with hundreds of producers. Everyone has a friend who makes the "best" Armagnac... The principal wines in the area are St Mont, Madiran, Pacherenc and Côtes de Gascogne. As with Armagnac you can try these in many farms or you can go to the Cave de St Mont (20 minutes) and try a range of the wines.
San Sebastian, Spain (2 hours). Beautiful city known for its Tapas and Michelin star restaurants. An amazing beach in the centre of town perfect for swimming (showers available). Have a swim, eat tapas in the Old Town and finish off with fish at a harbour restaurant looking over the fishing boats .....
Bilbao, Spain (3 hours). Old city but now best known for the Guggenheim Museum.