Etsaut. The Park House, National Park of the Pyrenees

Maison du Parc National des Pyrenées. 64490 ETSAUT
T. (+33) 05.59.34.88.30
pnp.aspe@espaces-naturels.fr

http://www.parc-pyrenees.com

The National Park of the Pyrenees is one of 10 national parks in France. It is in the south of the country and in the western part of the range, divided between the departments of Hautes-Pyrenées (Midi-Pyrénées) and Pyrenées-Atlantiques (Aquitaine).

It has a surface area of 50,000 hectares and was created in 1967. From west to east it takes in the upper reaches of the Aspe Valley, the Midi d’Ossau reserve, the mountains of Balaïtus and Vignemal, the cirques of Gavarnie and Troumouse and the Natural Reserve of Neouvielle. The region of Cauterets is considered to be the geographic centre of the park. The National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido limits the park to the south. The vast area of mountains spanning the frontier are known as Pirineos-Monte Perdido and have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

The main aims of the Park are to conserve the beauty of its territories and protect the endangered plant and animal species. To this end it is governed by very strict regulations. Economic, social and cultural initiatives have been implemented in a surrounding area of 160,000 hectares to try and stop the population exodus and help develop the Park’s touristic infrastructure.

The Park House in Etsaut (an old SNCF station of the Pau-Canfranc railway, in disuse since 1970) is open all summer and provides information on the National Park. A nature trail with wheelchair access, allows visitors to discover the flora and fauna of the Park. Park rangers also organise guided walks and nature-based activities.

Next opening

- from the 21st october to the 31st october  (closed the weekend) :
monday-tuesday-thursday-friday : from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
wednesday : from 10:00 to 12:30 am
 

Ver Maison du Parc National des Pyrénées en un mapa más grande

. [ Vallée d'Aspe ]