Pyrenees or Alps???

[trashpony]

I am thinking of doing a houseswap and we have people interested who are in Pau and in Grenoble.

Anyone got any opinion on either? At the moment, I'm going to choose whichever flight is cheaper

 

[Pickman's model]

why not do pau and then grenoble for your next holiday?

 

[dessiato]

I have been to both, I really would find it difficult to choose. The advantages of Pyrenees is that Spain is close so you can get the best of both. The Alps have France, Switzerland and, for an interesting drive Switzerland can be wonderful. From the Alps you can go through to Italy, at least the lakes.

Cost wise Spain and France are cheaper than Switzerland.

 

[weltweit]

Skiing is better in the Alps

Motorbiking on the roads is great in either.

I have never been to Grenoble but I heard nice things about it - that might swing it for me.

 

[trashpony]

I'm going to be taking the foal who is 4 with me so motorbiking is out of the question

I could do one this year, one next but I need to make a decision And they seem pretty similar so it's a bit tricky

 

[Pickman's model]

pau is easier to spell

 

[trashpony]

pau is easier to spell

Good point. I'm quite tempted by Pau because I haven't been there before and apparently it has the best views of land ever (or something, I'm paraphrasing from wiki) but it's supposed to be gorgeous. I think in Grenoble I'd be sad about the lack of snow ...

 

[mancboy]

Good point. I'm quite tempted by Pau because I haven't been there before and apparently it has the best views of land ever (or something, I'm paraphrasing from wiki) but it's supposed to be gorgeous. I think in Grenoble I'd be sad about the lack of snow ...

Pau - take the foal to the observatory in Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Cable car rides (terrifying) and space stuff. Brilliant.

 

[trashpony]

Pau - take the foal to the observatory in Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Cable car rides (terrifying) and space stuff. Brilliant.

Now that sounds cool

 

[CosmikRoger]

If you are going in the height of summer, I would give Grenoble a miss. It is quite an industrial city, and as it is sited in a natural bowl in the mountains all the air pollution doesn't escape. They even drop the speed limits so that cars reduce their emissions.

 

[pk]

Cheaper accommodation in the summer if you stay in ski resort towns, I'd suggest La Cluzaz, easy access to Switzerland, Turin, and Annecy, the jewel of the French Alpine region...

 

[davesgcr]

I suspect Pau is a lot cheaper (and more interesting)

 

[trashpony]

If you are going in the height of summer, I would give Grenoble a miss. It is quite an industrial city, and as it is sited in a natural bowl in the mountains all the air pollution doesn't escape. They even drop the speed limits so that cars reduce their emissions.

Ahh - that's really useful thanks. Sounds horrible.

Cheaper accommodation in the summer if you stay in ski resort towns, I'd suggest La Cluzaz, easy access to Switzerland, Turin, and Annecy, the jewel of the French Alpine region...

We're house-swapping so no costs are involved in terms of accommodation

I suspect Pau is a lot cheaper (and more interesting)

It has a botanical garden and a slightly bonkers looking funicular railway which appeals to me

I think we're going to go with Pau (plus I have already told the lady we are interested and I don't want to let her down as she's very excited about coming here).

Hurrah, pyrenees here we come! (well, in August anyway)