Pyrenees – Where is the best place to stay?

Hi,

After some suggestions on where to base ourselves this summer in the French Pyrenees for 2/3 months with the following requirements:

– Not overly priced for short term lets.
– Access to some French culture – cafes, restaurants, perhaps French lessons.
– Epic riding on the door step.
– Good local cycling scene.

Any suggestions on where to base ourselves? There appear to be many smallish towns but not got the first clue where to go. Doesn’t need to be on this years Tour route as have friends who are staying near that week and will be bunking with them.

Thanks.

Jon.

For MTBing Luchon would be high on the list. Epic riding right from the door. Big mountains all around with some great longer rides. It might be a bit quiet but it’s a spa town so there is some activity in the summer. Nice main street full of cafes.

Atlantic, Med or mid way?

Last year we went to the Pyrenees for the first time. We were based in Luz st Sauveur. It was fantastic. In a great area for idyllic views (Pont d’espagne, Pic du Midi, various Cirques etc etc), slap bang in the middle of a load of Tour de France cols
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/sjf99/?action=view&current=09eb6848.jpg
About an hour or so drive over the border to Spain if you fancy a drive out to a different country for a change. I absolutely loved it there and would dearly love to go back.
http://www.epyrenees.com/guide/resort.php?resort=323

Luchon is lovely, we were there for a few days last summer on a road trip but could happily have stayed a week or two. Lots of things to do other than riding too. Get in touch with AQR if you want guiding, can thoroughly recommend them.

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Pyrenees Road Trip-12[/url] by Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

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Pyrenees Road Trip-20[/url] by Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

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Pyrenees Road Trip-14[/url] by Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

Atlantic, Med or mid way?

I’ll narrow it down for you. Somewhere between Hendaye and Banyuls 😆

Prades, has good riding out the front door, a big local club, 40mins to lifts at les Angles and La Molina (1.30 to Andorra)a Freeride scene at ile sur tet/corbere les cabanes. Loads of culture incl a music festival. 40 mins to Perpignan.

Another vote for Luchon. Love the place. AQR do good guiding, and the AQR hotel (Le Lutin) does awesome food.