Hautes-Pyrénées Quiz | Europe

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Hautes-Pyrenees contain a number of "Cirques", the French word for Circus. This is where the valley ends with a large mountainous amphitheatre-like wall, often with several waterfalls cascading over the top. Which Cirque, one of the most popular and accessible in the region, contains the highest waterfall in France?

Answer: Gavarnie

The waterfall, Gavarnie Falls (Grande Cascade de Gavarnie), which is the highest in Europe and 20th highest in the world, falls 422m to the valley floor below. In winter, the waterfall freezes over and mountaineers climb it. The Cirque du Gavarnie itself is around 800m wide at the bottom, extending to 3000m wide at the top.

It takes around two hours to walk from the village of Gavarnie to the falls, although it is possible to hire a horse or donkey to ride the path to the cafe-hotel near the valley head.

After that, you are on your own across the rocks, streams, and snow--even in midsummer.

2. Whilst enjoying the scenery at the less commercialised Cirque de Troumouse, you are quite likely to see, and most certainly hear the sharp whistles made by, these Pyrenean rodents. Name them.

Answer: Marmots

The Cirque de Troumouse is much wilder and quieter than Gavarnie. You pay money at the entrance of the park and then take your vehicle through a series of hair-raising, sharp climbing hairpin bends to a reach the plateau at the head of the Cirque. You are above the tree line at a height of over 2000m above sea level. The dramatic 10km curved wall of rock towers over 1000m around you, with the highest point being Pic de la Munia at 3133m (10279 ft). A large statue of the Virgin Mary at the centre of the plateau provides the best place for a view back down the valley.

The Cirque de Troumouse is also a place for rare species of flora, such as gentians, as well home for Izards and Pyrenean Chamois; you may also be lucky enough to see a vulture or golden eagle. Marmots, which are a type of ground squirrel, can be seen sitting on rocks and even at the edge of the road.

3. Lourdes, famous for the visions seen by Bernadette Soubirous, also has other attractions to offer visitors. There is the 1000 year old and never defeated fortress called Lourdes Castle. Which of these will you NOT see at the castle?

Answer: Moat

The fortress/castle is perched on a large rocky outpost in the centre of the town. You can climb to the top or take the lift, a 20th century addition. The museum of Pyrenean life opened in 1921 and since 2002 has been a "Musee de France". It contains collections about the history and culture of mountain people from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. The Espanadedes Chevaliers, within the castle's outer walls, contain models of Pyrenean architecture (farms, churches, and villages) made on a scale of 1/10 by Margalide Le Bondidier between 1921-1960.

Yes, there is a drawbridge but it is not over a moat; it just provided a way out of the castle and down the rock.

Another attraction worth a visit in Lourdes is the funicular railway up the 933m (3061 ft) Pic de Jer for some fabulous views of Lourdes and the surrounding area.

4. Pont d'Espagne is an area of waterfalls and pine trees. From Pont d'Espagne you can follow the footpaths alongside the cascades or take the cable car up to Lake Gaube at 1725m. Imposing mountains form a backdrop to this lake, including the highest of the French mountains in the Pyrenees. What is the name of this mountain?

Answer: Pic de Gran Vignemale

Pic de Gran Vignemale stands 3,298 metres (10,820 ft) and is the highest Pyrenean mountain in France. Pic d'Aneto is the highest mountain in the Pyrenees but lies entirely in Spain. Pont d'Espagne owes its name to an old mule track to Spain. A bridge, high over the cascades of Gaube and Marcadau, provides some spectacular and noisy views.

5. At a height of 2877m and dominating the northern edge of the central Pyrenees is which mountain, famous for its astronomical observatory?

Answer: Pic du Midi de Bigorre

The construction of the observatory began in 1878 and was completed in 1908. Since 2000 it has been possible to take a 15 minute cable car from the village of La Mongie at the base to the summit. Watch out for donkeys, ponies, and even llamas wandering around the car park and alongside the narrow mountain road in La Mongie. Once at the top of the Pic there is a visitor centre and museum, as well as the observatory open to the public.

There are also stunning views over the surrounding Pyrenees; on a clear day it is possible to see as far as the Spanish border!

6. The chief town in the Hautes-Pyrenees is Tarbes. What is the name of the river which flows through the town?

Answer: Adour

The Adour rises at the Col de Tourmalet and flows for 324km (201miles) to the Atlantic Ocean near Bayonne. Tributaries include the Gave de Pau, which has come from the waterfall at Gavarnie and flows through Lourdes.

7. Luz St Sauveur is a small town which became a favorite spa destination for Emperor Napoleon III and his wife. Which Empress?

Answer: Eugenie

The main street through the spa area contains several hotels, spas, and houses with elegant neoclassical facades and is named after Eugenie. At the end of the street there is the impressive Pont Napoleon over the gorge and the river 90m below. It has become a popular bungee-jumping location. Luz St Sauveur also provides the only road to get to Gavarnie and Troumouse.

8. Ready for a climb? The highest road in the central Pyrenees is the Col du Tourmalet. This road is often used as a climbing stage on which well known French cycle race?

Answer: Tour de France

Col du Tourmalet has been used more times on the Tour de France than any other pass. From Luz St Sauveur the climb is 19km long, climbing 1404m to a height of 2115m (6939ft). Lovely views are to be had on a clear day, but if you are unlucky enough to find the low cloud, watch out for those hairpin bends and stray sheep!

9. For a change we'll go underground. The Grottes de Betheram is an extensive network of caves with limestone deposits and waterfalls. A tour lasts about one hour twenty minutes, during which time you will encounter a number of different of modes of transport. Which will you NOT find?

Answer: Travelator

Discovered in 1810, the illuminated caves were first open to the public in 1903. On arrival the tour begins with a coach ride to the cave entrance. After a walking tour, there is a short boat ride through a tunnel section before boarding the mini train to take you back to the surface and the carpark.

10. What Spanish region is directly to the south of Hautes-Pyrenees department of France (i.e. the other side of the mountains)?

Answer: Aragon

The northernmost province of Aragon, Huesca, borders France. The region contains Pico del Aneto (Pic d'Aneto), the highest peak in the Pyrenean range. The Spanish side of the Pyrenees are much drier and more barren than the French side. Although the Basque region of the Pyrenees, in the west, is wet due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, the central area is one of the sunniest and driest regions of France.

Source: Author jules44

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Hautes-Pyrénées Trivia Quiz

Brush up your French, dust off your bikes, and come for a Pyrenean tour around the breathtaking scenery of this part of France.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>