A to Z Dans Les Pyreneés Avec Des Amis

A to Z Challenge Here

Dans les Pyrenées chez nous amis Jean-Paul et Anne Delmas.

(In the Pyrenées with our friends..links to their FaceBook page)

In the Pyrenées heading west from Mérens-les-Vals, is a valley with a small village, St. Bertrand de Comminges, “One of the most Picturesque villages in France.” (video below...)

On a mountain overlooking this valley, tucked among tall pines is Murmures des Arbres, a Gites and chambres d’hôtes, and they let rooms year round. 

Our dear friends/now family Jean-Paul and Anne Delmas, own Murmures des Arbres (Murmurs Among The Trees) and we try to visit them every time we go to France. Jean-Paul and my husband have known each other since high school, climbed in the Pyrenées together for over nine years, and they have remained deep friends since my husband moved to the US. His daughter is my husband's goddaughter and became family when she married my cousin! We adore them all. 

Jean-Paul is an “Accompagniateur de Montagne,” basically a licensed mountaineering guide, and Anne is an art therapist who works with children and handles the accommodation side of the business. 

In the Gite getting ready to go walking with our little one

A view near St. Bertrand de Comminges

The Cathedral in St. Bertrand, a view from our hike

Two friends together again

Their set up is a perfect combination for anyone who likes to visit/hike in the mountains. Photos of inside and out of the Gites can be found HERE.

Jean-Paul knows the Pyrenées better than most as he has grown up climbing them. He’s done high altitude climbing there and all over the world. He is now in his “retirement,” “limiting” himself to guiding instead of pushing the boundaries he used to in his younger days. This visit he introduced us to “BungyPump” walking sticks, which I absolutely love. They are different from most walking sticks because they have a band inside which makes them “pump” up and down as you walk, so no jarring your arms. They help with balance while also giving your arms a workout. Perfect.

If you ever want a getaway up in the Pyrenées mountains where you will be treated like royalty, check out Murmures des Arbres and be sure to tell them I sent you…

Along the route

Ancient walls built by farmers for their herds and fields-no-longer

Never-ending beauty

Taking a break JP and me

 St. Bertrand De Comminges

Missed some of my A to Z 2019 posts? Well look no further...

Azat-le-Ris

Biarritz

Canal du Midi

Domaine de Baboulet

Cite de L'Ecrit

Fleurs de France

Le Bistrot Gourmand Chez Martine

Haute-Garonne

L'Isle-Adam Island of Adam

Jeanne D'Arc

Patricia Kass Chanteuse Actrice

Lyon

Merens-Les-Vals

Nourriture

Oppidum D'Enserune

All photos by Buie-Collard

A to Z Merens-Les-Vals

A to Z Challenge Here

In a little tiny village named Mérens-Les-Vals, way up in the Pyrenées mountains, lives a friend-who-is-now-family. Her home is ancient, renovated by her and her former husband, and is blessed with spectacular views upon winding roads. She lives in the “upper” village, not the “lower” and owns a tidy sum of land, some of which she uses to garden. She makes jams, jellies and honey that she sells to hikers, campers and local shops. All organic “Bio” in French, and very tasty.

Poppies in our friend's garden

One of her views from her home

Another view...

Getting our greens from her garden for our salad that evening

Whenever we stay in Mérens-Les-Vals, we hike. There are hot water sulfur springs along side a path high above her home. Too many folks know about them now and they aren’t as they once were, but the springs are still beautiful, clear, and very warm. There are paths winding deep into the mountains with ever increasing spectacular views on all sides of Mérens. If you like to hike, this area is for you.

The hot springs, one of the three pools

The water is so clear...

On the trail with our gracious hostess

Right down from her house is an ancient Romanesque church ruin (10^th century) that gives the upper village an antiquated look. Over the hill from her house is a viewpoint referred to as  “Saut Amoureux,” (Lover’s Leap) and yes, there is a legend of lovers who jumped rather than live without one another.

The Romanesque Church ruin

The fields surrounding the village are often dotted with the famous black “Chevaux de Mérens” (Horses of Merens).

Around the other side of the mountain from her home is an old grist mill owned by her former sister-in-law and her husband. It’s been in his family for years and is unique as far as houses go, as a small stream runs directly under it and the grand old mill stones are still in place inside.

This and the following photos are from the trails we walked/hiked

You must pass through Mérens-les-Vals to get to Andorra, a tiny independent country that belongs neither to France nor Spain. It’s known for its ski resorts, no taxes, and cheap gas and goods. Mérens is about a two hour drive from Toulouse, and 2 ½ hours by train.

Hope you've enjoy the views…

Missed some of my A to Z 2019 posts? Well look no further...

Azat-le-Ris

Biarritz

Canal du Midi

Domaine de Baboulet

Cite de L'Ecrit

Fleurs de France

Le Bistrot Gourmand Chez Martine

Haute-Garonne

L'Isle-Adam Island of Adam

Jeanne D'Arc

Patricia Kass Chanteuse Actrice
Lyon

All photos by Buie-Collard