Just starting to plan for summer '08, and we're thinking about touring the Pyrenees, so I wondered if anyone had been to the area, and had any comments on the following sites, and also the road through the Pyrenees from Lourdes to Huesca (Spain).
The sites we are looking at are:
Camping Le Ruisseau, Bidart near Biarritz
Pyrenees Natura (Castels Site) 20KM south of Lourdes.
Lago Barasona, near Huesca in Spain
Also, does anyone have experience of towing a large caravan through the Pyrenees from the Lourdes region into Spain, without the need to go back round the long way on the auto-route at Bayonne???
Via Michelin recommends the 230 through the tunnel at Vielha.
------------- Regards, B.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We towed over the Pyrenees last summer up past Andorra via a couple of road tunnels & down to Tarragona--no problem-keep yer engine revving in low gear to pump the coolant round & watch yer temp gauge--in years past weeve also been around Huesca & Jaca good roads & very quiet -not been the route your takin but looking at the map I see a fairly straight road(N134 on the French side) & a tunnel so should be ok--mountain roads to avoid with a caravan are those that zigzag on the map---
I'm with Billy on this one. We did the area with a twin axle some years ago. The N134 is Ok to the tunnel , but don't be tempted to go over the col; We did a reccy just car, and there were 3 Spanish artics passed us going up, as we came down, and I am glad we did n't have the van. They would have taken the side out. If you speak Spanish get a ceebee, and you will know what is on the road.
Out of interest, it was that trip that persuaded us to change to a single axle. 4 times we were refused access to sites, and treated very discourteously in a garage, because of the twin. Apparently the problem is with nomads, and because the site owners cannot bar them as such, they claim the access is unsuitable for large vans..I have good French, and I talked my way on to the sites, but only as an emergency stopover, and we were put "in a corner" and had to move the following day. I have no evidence that the problem is getting better, rather the reverse.
I don't see you having any problems on commercial sites with your "big van", but you may have the odd problem getting there. See what everyone else thinks.
Quote: Originally posted by billybhoy999 on 20/11/2007
Just starting to plan for summer '08, and we're thinking about touring the Pyrenees, so I wondered if anyone had been to the area, and had any comments on the following sites, and also the road through the Pyrenees from Lourdes to Huesca (Spain).
The sites we are looking at are:
Camping Le Ruisseau, Bidart near Biarritz
Pyrenees Natura (Castels Site) 20KM south of Lourdes.
Lago Barasona, near Huesca in Spain
Also, does anyone have experience of towing a large caravan through the Pyrenees from the Lourdes region into Spain, without the need to go back round the long way on the auto-route at Bayonne???
Via Michelin recommends the 230 through the tunnel at Vielha.
My wife and I camped in our IH Campervan at Camping Le Ruisseau on our return journey from Portugal and Spain in Winter 2004/5.
We had a good pitch with hard standing and electricity. At that time of year it was, of course, pretty quiet. The site was clean and well-equipped and the owner was very helpful.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Be prepared for quite a few places where the road has been cut into the mountain, leaving a rock overhang. I find these quite oppressive and scary- I'm sure they are perfectly safe, but we only have a small camper. With a caravan, you will need to make sure the rooflights are shut!!
We tried a couple of weeks ago to use the D918 through the Col d'Aubisque, at 1709 metres high to get from Eaux-Bonnes, in the west to Arrens-Marsous, in the east, and it was blocked by remnants of huge snow drifts (yes we missed the closed sign in Eaux-Bonnes!)
A great site I am just about to submit a review for is the one we are on at the minute, Camping Le Rotja, in Fuilla, very close to the walled town of Villefranche-de-Conflent and in a fertile valley with views of the great Carnigou mountain, to entice walkers. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting the eastern Pyrenees.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Pyrenees sites & roads
