Hi !
we (2 adultes and 2 kids of 8 and 12 years old) are slowly planing our next family trip for july august (one month trip) and France should be our next destination.

Last year we have been one week in the Diolomites (Italy) and we had a blast, Wether, sights, food..everything was great. This is why we would like to iovlude some mountains on this trip (maybe 5 nights). We have a hard time to decide waht would be better between the Alps and the Pyrenees.

We are looking to found:

1- some easy scenic hikes
2- good food
3- Nice villages/towns to visit
4- Not too crazy to drive in (we will have a rental car)

for people who know those places, what are the minus and the advantages of both ?

Thanks !

As a generality, I find the Alps a bit boring. Village life does not exist in the same way as in the Pyrenees, and traditional villages are rare. The food is also more limited than in the Pyrenees, as it is a cavalcade of dishes that feature potato, cheese, onion, and bacon. Of course, you can always find certain spots that might be ideal for you, so maybe you shouldn't take the generality too seriously.

The Pyrenees stretch from Catalonia (near Perpignan) to the Basque countryside.

There are a lot of mountains and beautiful scenery to enjoy in France. My favorite area is Auvergne in the middle, which is an ancient volcanic region with a ton of mountain scenery, medieval castles, and a green landscape punctuated by black lava outcroppings. Because these mountains are not quite so enormous, there is more history, farming, village life, and a unique widespread culture with a hearty and interesting cuisine. And of course the driving is easier. Hiking to the lush green bowl of a cratered volcano is a memorable experience.

http://en.auvergne.travel/home/menu/best-of-17-2.html

I greatly prefer the Pyrenées to the Alps, but they are a lot closer to me, have a history that is far more interesting to me, and the food is better and the villages more interesting, and there are spas galore, which always draws me. And it's easy dip down from them into Spain or the wonderful Languedoc-Roussillon.

Ditto Shelemm & St Cirq. Some of our best meals have been in the Pays Basque. We like these two hotel/restaurants in the High Pyrenees.

The first one is La Grange aux Marmottes in Viscos (population 44). www.grangeauxmarmottes.com . The second one is Les Viscos in St Savin (population 372). www.hotel-leviscos.com .

Here is my wife's Shutterfly book from our 5 week trip in the Pyrenees.
https://stududley.shutterfly.com/31
click "Full Screen"

Stu Dudley

Of the two I too would vote for the Pyrenees, but
maybe the Jura or the Vosges would appeal.
Driving is as challenging as you want to make it. In any mountain region you will encounter a lot of cyclists and motorcyclists and you have to be careful around them, especially the cyclists going down hill at speed, and groups of motorcyclists.

>> In any mountain region you will encounter a lot of cyclists and motorcyclists and you have to be careful around them, <<

You will encounter livestock in the Pyrenees. They have the right-of-way - and know it!!!

Stu Dudley

So you aren't going on the West Coast USA trip? You might want to let people know you've changed your plans over on that thread. People are still trying to help you over there

The Alps are more "prestigious" to a lot of people, but the Pyrénées are more rugged and authentic. In the Pyrénées, you encounter far fewer fancy overpriced resorts.

Thanks to all !

It will not be easy to make a choic, so many nice places to see !

StuDudley: maybe i'm wrong but is it you that have guide of many regions in France, I think I have seen that in others thread.

Yes. I have a guide for the Pyrenees, Pays Basque, and the Alps. See attachments

Stu Dudley