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Among its sights is the church of St. Jean the Baptist, supposedly the best example of Basque church architecture, and it is unique. The altar area is very decorative, and the seating lacks a middle aisle. However, the church's distinctiveness comes from 3 wooden galleries at the sides and back, and going almost to the roof. A large model boat, about 1 metre in length, hangs in the middle of the church. My guess is that it is symbolic, perhaps for the safety of the fishermen? (But I really don't know.) It was here that Louis XIV married Marie-Theresa. However, we commoners can't use the door they entered by, since it was sealed up after that. A plaque at the door tells of the event. The church is just one small part of the picturesque little town.

If you are there at the right time of year, you might catch a Basque version of jai alai, or a visit by the Bordeaux Symphony.

There is also a lengthy beach on the Atlantic, and the town square has some pleasant restaurants. I wish I had the picture of three fellow teachers eating from a multi-tiered meal of a seemingly endless feed of seafood, their appropriately filled faces absolutely beaming!

I was there in April with a group of high school students and teachers, a time of year when Biarritz is fairly calm. I can only imagine what summer must be like with tourists everywhere, enjoying the proverbial sun and sand, and the excitement of July and August.

But in the spring, when tourists are few and far between, walks along the beach and the magnificent promenade are very serene. You can see French families, children sometimes dressed to the nines,playing in the sand, dogs not very far away. (Just watch where you are walking!)

In the evening, with a cool wind coming off the sea, watch the waves break on the shore and enjoy the dramatic sights and sounds of the sea which can be somewhat mesmerizing.

I don't feel that I experienced enough of Biarritz during my one brief visit. But that's one of the excitements of travel, isn't it? - finding a place you enjoy and wanting to return.

Nevertheless, it makes for a most enjoyable and historic visit. After crossing the drawbridge, I am immediately reminded of Mont St. Michel and narrow, shop-lined streets, though this does not require the same tiring climb. As expected, touristy shops now abound, but the chateau, towers, buildings, church, homes and other historical elements more than make up for it.

While wandering through the town, I can't help but imagine what the streets would have been like hundreds of years ago, filled with people and animals, likely filth in the cobblestone streets, and the smells and sounds adding to the overall atmosphere. Carcassonne was used for filming of one of the many Robin Hood movies, suiting the era.

The Romans established a town here, Julia Carcasso, though there had been people here long before that. Those days may be long gone, but Carcassonne remains, according to some, the most complete medieval walled city in France, and Europe. It is definitely worth a trip.

Starting in April was a wonderful time of year. In addition to daily classes with students from throughout Europe, the city itself had much to offer, even before visiting the surrounding region. There was always something to do - concerts, Formula 3 car races, a steeplechase, a street music festival, a triathalon, plays, band concerts in the park, watching the men (and the occasional woman) playing boules, markets, parks, or happening across a fete in one of the quartiers while out for a nightly stroll.

Pau is the birthplace of no less than Henry IV (1553). A lovely chateau in the center of the city includes a famous tortoise shell, his supposed cradle. (Okay, so I'm a bit skeptical. Don't we all wonder about some of these claims we come across when travelling?!) The tapestries were the highlight for me, in fine condition and with excellent colour.

The Musee des Beaux-Arts had a good variety of French, Italian and Spanish, plus modern and abstract works. Even El Greco and Rubens were represented. There were also several pictures of local scenes, which give you the opportunity to see some of the history of the area. One of the sculpture highlights was an exquisite bust of Eve, with braided hair falling in front and back, and a snake around her neck. It was stunning - even the eyes were superb.

Pau had a good selection of bars and restaurants, so there was no shortage there. But one activity which was always sure to provide some pleasant relaxation was sitting at a cafe terrace along the palm-tree lined Boulevard des Pyrenees with a good, strong cup of coffee (or perhaps a good glass of wine!), visiting with other students, and looking off into the distance at the picturesque beauty of the Pyrenees (when they weren't obscured by clouds!). I could go on about almost being run over by a motorcycle while in one of the terraces, but that's another story.

I have since had another opportunity to make a brief stop in Pau, this time with fellow teachers and students, and Pau hasn't changed much. Its charms remain. But this time, I bought that beret!

Whether you are making the pilgrimage for healing, or for curiosity, Lourdes is fascinating. I would guess that many people visit only the religious 'site.' (Huge signs in many languages at the entrance warn of pickpockets, a strange greeting.) A huge subterranean church which can seat over 20,000 people, though not particularly attractive, is architecturally interesting for its open area construction and massiveness. The Basilique de Rosaire, on the other hand, is much more attractive. The grotto (with a statue of Bernadette), information centres, chapels, carts for the sick, park areas, and thousands of candles for sale all add to the atmosphere. People are encouraged to be silent in the grotto area, and to drink like Bernadette. At night, a candlelight procession is quite beautiful. Outisde the area of the 'site' are shops galore containing every bit of religious kitsch imaginable. Be it water bottles with a picture of Bernadette, or candies with her picture, just about any trinket you can imagine is available - the less pleasant side of the visit.

Unfortunately, many visitors to Lourdes may miss the delightful Musee Pyreneen in the Chateau Fort, located on a hill which overlooks the entire area. The museum contains a mix of traditional costumes, historical displays of agriculture, looms and other household items of the past, plus a bit of geology. There are superb models of area buildings, and beautiful gardens.

Visiting Lourdes is an experience, regardless of what you are looking for.

One June day, while travelling with a fellow student, we came across canoeing and kayaking. Later on, while enjoying coffee in a goregous mountain valley, we listened again to the ringing of cowbells, and watched clouds float lazily overhead as parasailing enthusiasts drifted gently to the valley floor. Later, a makeshift picnic alongside a cool mountain stream would provide for a relaxing lunch. Just one of the many memorable days in the Pyrenees!