Overview
A unique opportunity to experience the heart of rural livestock farming life and the gastronomic delights of the French Pyrenees.
The Pyrenees are a relatively undiscovered mountain chain with a rich pastoral heritage that remains blissfully untainted by mass tourism. Local family livestock farms are closely linked to gastronomy in the Pyrenees, making the area an unmissable destination for the outdoors loving foodie.
This unique stay is a deep dive into the local scene and will include family friendly hikes with local guides to meet the shepherd and his flock in the mountain pastures and to discover some of the rich wildlife in the area.
You’ll discover that huskies are not just for winter as you spend time with a local pack, learn about the various husky breeds and their pack life and then take them out on a training walk. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the reintroduction programme of brown bears in the Pyrenees and spend a half day in the company of a local bear expert deep in bear territory.
Food is at the centre of pastoral life in the Pyrenees and your stay will include a visit to the biggest and best outdoor market in the Medieval town of Arreau, where you’ll meet local producers and sample their offerings.
No visit to the Pyrenees would be complete without a healthy dose of cheese! Kids will love the visit to a local ‘fromagerie’ where they can learn about breeding sheep, milking them and the cheese-making process with of course an opportunity to sample and buy the end product.
The Pyrenees cake speciality ‘gâteau à la broche’ has been made in Pyrenean farmhouses over an open fire for generations and is a tradition that is being maintained in certain areas. You’ll have the chance to see it being made.
A visit to a local ‘chocolatier’ is sure to be a highlight of your stay.
This trip is suitable for families with children aged 6+
Available from mid June to the end of August
