"Beautiful mountains, people, and food" Ax-les-Thermes by etfromnc

I spent ten days in France just before the Tour de France in 2008 and for my money the best places to try to catch parts of the Tour would be in the Pyrenees, especially if you are serious bicyclists, and plan to do some riding as well. I do not know next year's Tour route so I cannot pick specific places to recommend for 2010 but if I were planning the tour course, I would have them riding from Ax-les-Thermes into Andorra. That is one of the most beautiful (and most challenging) roads that I have ever seen. The people in the Pyrenees also seem to be a bit more hospitable and more laid back than those closer to Paris.

Forming a natural border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees are an extremely popular destination for tourists of all kinds. With spectacular scenery, an abundant array of flowers and wildlife, spectacular mountain and valley landscapes, and a warm Mediterranean climate, it is easy to see why. This charming French spa town is a popular destination for cross-country skiing in the winter and is becoming increasingly popular as a mecca for hikers and trekkers. I suggested the nickname "Gateway to the Pyrenees" for Ax-les-Thermes, at least partly because it is surrounded by lush mountains, meadows, and rivers, with a delightful babbling brook (river) coursing through the center of town. For those travelling by train there are excellent rail links to Ax-les-Thermes, primarily through Toulouse, where there are also several regional flight arrivals offering easy access to Ax-les-Thermes.