China's top leader once visited Europe, with France as his first stop. French media outlet La Depeche reported that the Chinese and French leaders dined together in the Pyrenees. What makes this place so special?

This is French President Emmanuel Macron's "second hometown." His grandmother's family is from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a quiet mountain town nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees stretch across the border between France and Spain, from the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean Sea. They are an iconic natural mountain range in southwestern Europe. The range extends over a long distance, with its highest peak, Aneto, reaching 3,404 meters, presenting a majestic and vast landscape.

The mountain range's bedrock originates from ancient Paleozoic strata, with its modern topography shaped during the Cenozoic Alpine orogeny. Over time, extensive glacial erosion carved out numerous cirques, canyons, cliffs, and high-altitude lake clusters. Among these, the Cirque de Gavarnie is particularly famous, hailed by Victor Hugo as the "Colosseum of Nature." Its sheer cliffs are steep and rugged, with the renowned Gavarnie Falls cascading dramatically from the cliffs. The area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Image: Cirque de Gavarnie (Source: iStock-philipimage)

The Pyrenees serve as a sanctuary for native wildlife. The Pyrenean ibex roams the cliffs, while golden eagles, marmots, and other creatures inhabit the forests and meadows. The region also preserves ancient villages and terraced farmland, blending natural beauty with human habitation. In summer, visitors can hike to explore glacial relics, while winter offers access to mountain ski resorts. Throughout the range, an untamed, unpolished wildness remains, standing quietly along the Franco-Spanish border.

Image: Pyrenees National Park (Source: ca.france.fr)

The Pyrenees are rich in geothermal resources. Cauterets and Bagnères-de-Luchon are historic spa towns with centuries-old hot springs. As early as the first century, the Romans had already built bathhouses here. Soaking in the hot springs after a day on the trails is a tradition that has endured here for two thousand years.

This article was compiled by the "Two Microblogs and One Website" (WeChat, Weibo, and official website) of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance.
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