Vallée d’Ossau Pyrenees France

Day 42 France 27

Travelled: 108km to Oloron Ste Marie then over Col d’Aubisque to Col de Soulour (staying in one of the carparks 42.9604,-0.2569)

After the storms last night the weather calmed and all was silent as we were encased in the clouds, waking to the same conditions. So we meandered down the mountain, leaving the clouds above us. We encountered a bit of a traffic jam along the way.

Then along the valley to Oloron Ste Marie (previously stayed in 2014). We needed to refill our lpg bottle (19 days/20.5litres/€0.799). We did some shopping at the large E.Leclerc and Mark enjoyed a cappuccino French style.  

The town is located at the edge of the Aspe and Ossau Valleys reflected by both these rivers joining to become the  Oloron River. Armed with a map we walked up through the medieval district to Sainte Croix, affording us panoramic views. 

We entered and pressed the button for the lights that included an audio explanation. We were suitably impressed. 

Then down the hill we returned to see once again the confluence of the 2 rivers as mentioned before. 

We watched the paddlers come over the rapids. 

Before we left town we stopped to have another look at the Cathedral of Ste Marie, a UNESCO site at part of the Way of St James to Santiago Spain.

 It has a beautiful carved 12thC Romanesque doorway.

 The interior is lovely but unfortunately suffering from water damage. 

Then off the the Pyrenees we went… unfortunately both the gps and google maps  us via a shorter but narrower detour via Beost.. we survived.. just and eventually joined the D918 to the Col d’Aubisque. 

We drove through Eaux Bonne.

It wasn’t until we reached the pass at 1709m alt that the clouds cleared enough for us to see the majestic mountains surrounding us. We spent a bit of time admiring it. 

Then we drove down to the Col de Soulour at 1474m. 

The sun was shining and the clouds came in and out and so we couldn’t resist but to stay in one of the carparks here.

We got out our chairs and enjoyed the wonderful view, being serenaded buy the bells worn by the cows, sheep and horses.