Patrick Arrieula was born in the south-west of France in a little village at the foot
of the French Pyrénées in the Béarn region near the Spanish and Basque borders.
Since 1996 Patrick and his wife Robbie have escorted
groups on unique tours in the Pyrénées region during spring and autumn. They
love sharing their passion for this beautiful part of France. The tours are
based in the country, giving one the rare opportunity to meet the locals, taste
the regional produce, admire the beautiful landscapes, and experience the culture.
The
walking tours are suitable for all those who enjoy walking as well as good
dining. There are usually two
itineraries which are suitable for two types of walkers. One, for the more
energetic, with longer walks and the other combining shorter walks with slow
food & cultural activities.
On another tour, run biannually, they retrace 102
kilometers of the ancient Santiago de Compostella walking trail via the Le Puy
route said to be one of the most beautiful. On the easier walk and the
Compostella trail it is necessary to change hotels but they try to keep that to
a minimum. For the other tours, they settle at the one hotel for the entire
nine day stay. The small family-run hotels have been chosen for their comfort
and good food. All rooms offer private ensuites and shops and banks are within
walking distance of the hotels. During the tours, participants have the choice
of joining daily activities or relaxing in the village for the day.
Patrick makes a great effort to involve the participants
with the locals whenever possible, give them a chance to experience the real
France and practice their French. One of
the days on the May itinerary is spent in his village playing ancient games,
being officially welcomed by the mayor and sharing lunch with the locals.
In order to have just the right size tours, groups are
limited to a maximum of 20 people and a minimum of 10.
Accommodation
The Perfect Escape in the French Pyrénées
“Pistoulet” was built in the 1800’s in the village of Lagor on the ridge
of a hill overlooking the Pyrenees. It has 3 bedrooms & sleeps 6 people –1 queen and 2 twin rooms.
Downstairs there is a fully equipped kitchen, dining and living area,
glassed verandah, separate toilet, bathroom and one bedroom. From the glassed
verandah there is a view of the Pyrénées over the garden. Parking is available
at the front of the house inside the courtyard. Upstairs there are 2 bedrooms
and a bathroom with toilet. The village has a baker, a general store and a
restaurant as well as few other small businesses. Within 5 kms there are
supermarkets, shops and fresh produce markets. The village has kept its
heritage and still retains a country feel with all amenities close by.
The Béarn region is full of history, character and has so much to offer
to holiday makers. The Pyrénées Mountains, the Atlantic coast, Spain and the
Basque region are all situated within an hour’s drive. The gastronomy is one of
France’s best.
