Gavarnie

Geologists point to the famous natural wonder that is the Cirque de Gavarnie as one of the world's most formidable examples of the effects of glacial erosion; the cliffs were worn away by the advancing and retreating ice sheets of the Pleistocene epoch. Seeing it, one can understand its irresistible appeal for mountain climbers—it is only fitting that there is a statue of one of the first of these, Lord Russell, in the village.