Twixt France and Spain Part 23

Hotels.--De l'Univers, || Des Pyrenees, De l'Europe, &c.

Apartments may also be obtained. Living is not on the whole expensive, but from July to September from 10 to 16 frs. may be charged--much less at other times (say from 7 to 10).

Carriages and Horses, a.s.ses and Guides can be obtained for the various excursions (for which see St. Sauveur in Appendix).

Post and Telegraph Office.

For description of the old Church of the Templars and the Chateau St.

Marie, &c., refer to Chapter VI. MAULeON-BAROUSSE.--In the valley of Barousse, Hautes-Pyrenees, 3 1/4 miles from Salechan, on the line between Montrejeau and Luchon; 4 1/2 miles from Ste. Marie (not to be confounded with the Ste. Marie near Bigorre).

Inn.--M. Grillon's.

MOLITG-les-Bains (1480 ft.).--Built on a terrace above the Castellane Gorge in the Pyrenees Orientales, 5-1/2 miles from Prades and 31 from Perpignan.

The Bathing Establishments (of which there are three) are situated a mile below the village, in the gorge, and they are supplied by 10 springs of a similar nature, largely charged with sulphate of soda, and of temperatures varying from 88 to 100 Fahr. The water has emollient and sedative properties, slightly diuretic, and is especially useful in diseases of the skin and nerves.

The Climate is very mild in winter, but hot in summer; and the season extends from May to October.

Hotels.--The best accommodation is to be had at the bathing establishments Barrere, Llupia, and Ma.s.sia, all of which belong to M.

Ma.s.sia, who is a doctor by profession.

Chief Excursions are:--

To Olette by the Gourgs de Nohedes (11 hours there and back).

To the Baths of Carcanieres (about 11 hours there _only_) _via_ Mosset.

MONTAUBAN.--A village in the Hautes-Pyrenees, 1-1/2 miles from Luchon (see Chapter X.), known for its church and cascade.

MONTGAILLARD.--A village on the banks of the Adour, in the Hautes-Pyrenees, 5 miles from Bigorre: station on the line between Bigorre and Tarbes.

MONTREJEAU.--A town standing on an eminence above the river in the Haute-Garonne, junction for Luchon from the Pau-Toulouse line.

Hotels.--Leclair (fine situation); Pouget, well-known; &c.

Buffet at the station. Refer to Chapter XI. for further information.

MORCENZ.--A town in the "Landes" district, 68 miles from Bordeaux, and junction for the Tarbes-Bigorre line. There is a small bathing establishment in the town, supplied by a cold chalybeate spring; and a quarry of lithographic stone in the neighbourhood.

Buffet at station.

Inns.--Commerce, Amba.s.sadeurs.

NAY.--An ancient village in the Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees, on the left bank of the Gave de Pau. Station, Coarraze-Nay, on the line from Pau to Lourdes; 10-1/2 miles from the former and 14 from the latter.

Tanneries, &c., and ancient buildings. See Chapter I.

Inns.--Du Commerce, De France.

NeGRESSE.--The station for Biarritz (2 miles from the town), on the direct line between Bordeaux and Madrid.

NESTALAS.--A village in the Hautes-Pyrenees, near Pierrefitte; the station being known as Pierrefitte-Nestalas, the terminus of the line from Lourdes. Hotel accommodation at Pierrefitte (which see in Appendix).

OLORON.--A town on a hill above the river of same name, in the Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees, 20 miles from Pau, by Gan and Belair. Its suburb (across the river) Sainte Marie possesses a fine old church of the Transition style. The railway was to be opened this year (1883) in communication with Pau and Laruns. Oloron is celebrated for some exquisite pottery, that can be bought in all the chief Pyrenean resorts _except_ the town itself.

Hotels.--De la Poste, Des Voyageurs, De l'Aigle.

Oo.--A small village with an ancient church, in the Haute-Garonne, 5-1/2 miles from Luchon, and 4-1/2 from the lake of the same name.

Guide.--Jean Brunet.

ORTHEZ.--An ancient town situated on a hill above the Gave de Pau, in the Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees. The Tour de Moncade, in the vicinity, has great historic interest, besides which there is an ancient bridge and other remains of olden days (see Chapter I.). Coach to Salies (10 miles), and Mauleon-Licharre (27 miles).

Inns.--De la Belle-hotesse, Des Pyrenees, &c.

PAILLOLE (or Payole).--A village in the Hautes-Pyrenees, 11-1/4 miles from Bigorre, on the Route Thermale, _via_ the Col de Peyresourde to Luchon. See Chapters I. and IX.

Inn.--De la Poste.

PANTICOSA.--A village in Spain, 24 miles from Cauterets, celebrated for its waters. The bathing establishments are fed by four springs of the sulphurous type. They are variously used for dyspepsia, rheumatism, skin diseases, scrofula, and chronic (non-tubercular) chest affections. They have a purgative and sedative action.

Hotels.--Accommodation can be best obtained in the nine different bathing establishments belonging to the same proprietor; there are also the D'Espagne and FrancoEspagnol.

Horses.--At about 5 to 7 francs per diem, at the Maison Borda.

Doctors.--Attached to the establishments.

PASAGES.--A village on the sh.o.r.es of a tidal bay in Spain, 30 miles from Bayonne and 6-1/4 from Irun. It was once the safest port in the Biscay. Refer to Chapter XIII.

PAU (770 ft.).--A former capital, and most important town on the right bank of the Gave of same name, in the Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees. A favourite winter resort with English and Americans, possessing hotels, markets, and shops of the best and most varied descriptions. An excellent starting-point for a tour in the Pyrenees. For history, &c., see Chapter I.

Hotels.--France, || Poste, || Ga.s.sion, De la Paix, Splendide Bellevue, Beau Sejour, || Grand Continental, De Londres, Henri IV., &c.

Pensions.--Colbert, || Hattersly, Etcherbest, Lecour, &c.

Apartments.--All over the town.

Season.--1st of October to end of May.

Villas. Can be hired furnished, for the season, at prices varying from 8 per month to 80.

Baths.--Rue Alexander Taylor, and 13 Rue d'Orleanb, &c.

Carriage Proprietors.--Ranguedat, || Crohare, || &c. c.

Horse Proprietors.--Estrade, || Peiho, || La.n.u.sse.

T-Carts and Good Ponies.--Schurch, Rue de la Fontaine.

English Churches.--Trinity Church, Rue des Temples; Christ Church, Rue Serviez; St Andrew's Church, Rue Calas; Presbyterian Church, Rue Montpensier.