Want to visit Lourdes and avoid the hustle and bustle of this busy tourist town?

Head for 'Higher Pastures' - our family-run Bed and Breakfast in the Hautes Pyrénées. Evening meals available on demand. Log-burning stoves throughout. Heated swimming pool in season.

Janet and Guy welcome you to our home 'Higher Pastures', offering bed and breakfast accommodation in the Hautes Pyrenees, where the emphasis is placed on personal service, high quality accommodation and top class facilities.

'Higher Pastures' bed and breakfast is located in a peaceful mountain village, hosting a church and about 20 houses, six miles South East of Lourdes. In the Pyrenean middle-range mountains, at an altitude of 750m, we enjoy pure clear air and breath-taking panoramic views, from the first peaks of the Pyrenees to the South, round to the rolling foothills towards Tarbes to the North.

'Higher Pastures' is the ideal place for getting away and relaxing, whether it be in the garden, around the pastureland or in the pool. It is the ideal starting point for many excellent walks, runs and bike rides. . These take you through pasturelands and woodlands, up hill and over dale where everyone can chose his level of intensity. The location also allows easy access to the valley for sight-seeing, shopping and tourism. Beneficial spas can be found in nearby thermal resorts renowned for the quality of their water and their specialist treatments. Day outings to the Parc National des Pyrénées (together with the favourite tourist spots of Gavarnie, Cauterets and le Pont d'Espagne) take you on a journey of discovery, past the stunning peaks, high-altitude lakes and unique flora and fauna.

Who we are & what we do

Higher Pastures is a family run Bed & Breakfast with a native English and French couple as hosts. It consists of a large farmhouse, cottage, barn, garden and courtyard, all elegantly renovated to local tradition. The grounds contain 14 hectare of woodland and pastures.

Accommodation is in either our Bigourdane farmhouse or in our family Cottage, which have both been recently renovated in keeping with the traditional style. We provide accommodation for all parties (max. capacity 14 people) from twin- and double-rooms to family suites. Cots are available if necessary. Prices start at 65 Euros for a double room including breakfast.

All bedrooms are decorated and furnished to ensure a high standard of comfort, each with its own private bathroom.

The main oak-beamed reception room has kept the traditional French style, where long drawn-out meals are enjoyed round the long wooden farmhouse table. Here you can appreciate the traditional French breakfasts with croissants and home-made jam, coffee, tea or hot chocolate. There is a large wood-burning stove creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. In the summer months - in fact, even in winter months when the sun shines - meals can be taken al fresco on the terrace, and shade can be found under the 200 year old oak trees. A lunchtime picnic can be enjoyed from the swimming pool area, once again experiencing the magnificent views on all sides.

Other facilities include a heated swimming pool with breathtaking views, barbecue, and self-catering kitchen upon request. You can also join us in our evening meal to savour homegrown fruit and vegetable and fresh local produce.

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM STANSTED AND MANCHESTER TO LOURDES

Our closest airport is at Tarbes/Lourdes. It is a small airport with BmiBaby flights direct Manchester/Lourdes twice weekly in season, and more recently Ryanair Stansted to Lourdes twice a week. There are also special charters for pilgrims. Another airport is Toulouse(180 kms), with flights from 6 UK airports including Gatwick. In 2011 there are direct flights from Dublin to Biarritz (180kms). Transport from the airport can be organised if you let us know in advance. Otherwise car rental is available in all airports.

For visitors travelling without a car, a daily drop-off and pick-up service between the B&B and Lourdes can be arranged. Times are very flexible, and organised on a day-to-day basis depending on your requirements. An evening trip can be organised to attend the Torchlight Procession. You will be surprised how hassle-free your trip will be, as your hosts are well acquainted with the area, language and culture.

Why not visit our main website at www.gite-hp.fr where you will find more information about where you can come to have a taste of typical French life and the beautiful mountain area around Lourdes. You will also find our Guest Book where you can read what other people have said about Higher Pastures.