Hautes-Pyrénées

Infobox_Department_of_France
department=Hautes-Pyrénées|number=65
region=Midi-Pyrénées
prefecture=Tarbes
subprefectures=Argelès-Gazost
Bagnères-de-Bigorre
population=222,368|pop_date=1999|pop_rank=84th|density=50
area=4464|area_scale=9
arrond=3|cantons=34|communes=474
president=François Fortassin|pres_party=
img_coa=blason65.png

Hautes-Pyrénées (Occitan: "Nauts Pirenèus / Hauts Pirenèus") is a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

History

Historically the area broadly covered by the "département" was known as Bigorre, a territory at times independent but later part of Gascony province. Large parts of the area were held by the English after the Treaty of Brétigny, 1360. In the 16th century, it was part of the Huguenot domain of the monarchs of Navarre, brought to France by Henri IV. For its early history, see Bigorre and Gascony.

The "département" of Hautes-Pyrénées was created at the time of the French Revolution, on March 4th 1790, through the influence of Tarbes politician Bertrand Barère, a member of the Convention.

Geography

Hautes-Pyrénées consists of several distinct geographical areas. The Southern portion, along the border with Spain, consists of mountains such as the Vignemale, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, and the Neouvielle and Arbizon ranges. A second area consists of low-altitude rolling hills. The Northern part of the "département" consists of largely flat agricultural land.

The greater Tarbes area is the economic and administrative focus of the département.

Lourdes is the second-biggest city in Hautes-Pyrénées, dedicated almost exclusively to the pilgrimage industry.

Other towns of note are Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Argelès-Gazost, Vic-en-Bigorre, Rabastens-de-Bigorre, Maubourguet, and Lannemezan.

Of Interest

The Western Pyrenees National Park covers a significant area, and includes well-known attractions such as the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Pont d'Espagne. The entire area is a favorite destination of hikers and mountain enthusiasts.

The area has been known perhaps since Antiquity for its hot springs, and several towns were built around these, most notable Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Bagnères-de-Bigorre.

There are a number of popular ski resorts in Hautes-Pyrénées such as Barèges-La Mongie, Gavarnie, Luz-Ardiden, Cauterets and Hautacam.

The area is a nearly-permanent fixture on the Tour de France's itinerary, with legendary passes such as the Tourmalet, the Aubisque and the Soulor.

The regions premier avant-garde jazz festivals is held each year in Luz-Saint-Sauveur: Jazz a Luz. Tarbes hosts an annual horse festival, Equestria, and a Tango festival, Tarbes en Tango.

See also: Pyrenees

ee also

*Cantons of the Hautes-Pyrénées department
*Communes of the Hautes-Pyrénées department
*Arrondissements of the Hautes-Pyrénées department

External links

* [http://www.bigorre.org/index_e.htm Tourism & culture in Hautes-Pyrenees]
* [http://www.cg65.fr/ General Council of Hautes-Pyrénées website]
* [http://www.hautes-pyrenees.pref.gouv.fr/ Prefecture website]
* [http://www.parc-pyrenees.com/ Western Pyrenees National Park]
* [http://www.jazzaluz.com/ Jazz a Luz]
* [http://www.festivalequestria.com/ Equestria]