When to go Hautes-Pyrénées ?
In winter the short days and the call of the ski fill the agenda. In this season, the department seems to hibernate, except for the major pilgrimage to Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. In summer, on the other hand, many events take place in the big cities as well as in the small villages. Tarbes vibrates to the rhythm of the tango and marvels at the Equestria festival while notes played by the greatest pianists rise to the summits in Bagnères-de-Bigorre.
The Hautes-Pyrénées has strong climatic contrasts, resulting from the relief - the whole southern half of the department is occupied by mountains - and the west-east orientation of the Pyrenees mountain range. Overall, the northern half of the department is mild and temperate (averages of 5°C in January to 19°C in July), with regular rainfall that increases as the mountains approach. In the south, it varies: mild weather in the valleys, temperatures drop with altitude. Snow at the top.
