Parc de Palétès

Into the mountains… whether you're up for hiking, climbing, canyoning, caving or paragliding, it's all within easy reach of here. Start off at handsome Saint-Girons a couple of kilometres away for a potter around its old buildings, scenic streets and 16th-century bridge; then have a look at the Chemin de la Liberté in the old railway station, a museum commemorating the many people who fled through the Pyrenees from France to Spain in World War II (a freedom march is held in town every July too). A big market, one of the largest in the region, is on Saturday mornings, and a fair every second and fourth Monday of the month. Call in at the tourist office too to sort info on the region and to find out about canyoning, caving and climbing excursions leaving from the town. The Au Pays des Traces archaeology theme park four kilometres away is an excellent option for small adventurers, particularly if they're too teeny to hike around mountains or abseil up peaks. There's a plentiful pick of activities for kids, including the chance to be a tracker, detective, mountaineer and archaeologist (yep, the lot) for half a day or a day. If you (and very small sorts) don't mind the 20-kilometre drive, another top family day can be accessed at Betchat, where donkeys can take explorers into the mountains, for highly amusing hours among beaut Pyrenees surrounds. And if small sorts are up for sightseeing, the Château de Seix is about 20 minutes' drive away and the Château de Foix within 45. Finally, because by now you've jolly well earned it, the thermal baths at Aulus-les-Bains are a worthy 35-minute drive away.