Flowers of the Pyrenees

Discover the most exuberant flora in Europe, let us be your guides to this botanical paradise…

The spring display in the Pyrenees is unequalled in Europe, spring is an enchanting time for as soon as the snows recede the meadows and hillsides burst into colour then throughout the summer acres of alpine flowers add a dimension of colour and fragrance wherever you wander…

We have been welcoming botanists and flower enthusiasts to our beautiful corner of the Pyrenees for over 20 years and have worked with Charles Gebet, a senior botanist from the Parc National des Pyrenees throughout this time, Charles is the leading authority in the Pyrenean flora.

Visit our Pyrenean flower photo gallery here.

Gentle Wildlife Walks – An introduction to the birds, flowers and butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees.

12 - 19 June 2010. £ 695 / €765. 5 days guided outings at our favourite wildlife spots, gentle guided walks with the emphasis on observation and photography, spectacular scenery and a vibrant wildlife guaranteed! This is the very best time of the year for the flowers. All local transport included. 7 nights half-board accommodation at the Hotel le Montaigu in Luz St Sauveur. Airport and train transfers arranged.

If you prefer to explore independently choose between three star hotel accommodation at the excellent Hotel Montaigu in Luz for £425 / €475 / week half-board or our lovely two bedroom apartments in Bareges from £425 / €465 / week. Go to the hotel and apartment pages for photos. We will point you in the right direction for the best wildlife and you can participate in our guided days and transport drops.

During the spring and summer we organise outings at our favourite places, special places to us for the richness of the endemic plantlife, the sheer profusion of their flowers and colour, or where a rare or unusual plant can be found. The itineraries for these very gentle flower walks will include Gavarnie with its grandiose scenery, the hidden valleys around Gedre and the Cirque d'Estaube, the high mountain meadows on the Spanish border with Spain, the opportunities are endless, the flowers are stunning, the scenery is breathtaking …

If you prefer to explore independently our local knowledge, species lists and route guides will help you make the very most of your stay. Our apartments in Bareges face the aptly named Montagne Fleurie, a veritable botanical paradise on your doorstep! Go to our apartment pages.

The Pyrenean flora is rich in endemic species with over 160 Pyreneo-Cantabrian endemics such as Ramonda, Saxifraga longifolia, Androsace ciliata and pyrenaica, as well as many many other plants of particular interest, including the numerous Gentians and Orchids, and particular species like the Pyrenean Turk's Cap Lily. The high number of endemic species is largely due to the isolation of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian range in relation to other European mountain ranges and each altitude band has its own specific kind of vegetation.

We very much recommend a visit to the Botanical Garden in Bareges which is devoted to the Pyrenean flora. It comprises two hectares of mixed terrain with rocky areas, clearings, grassland, moorland, forest and humid areas to represent the different habitats found in nature. Each area has explanatory signs to help you identify the plants, it is a wonderful learning tool to recognise the flora one finds in the wild.

© All photos copyright Borderline Holidays