Camping La Ribere

We arrived a little late, and the owner still welcomed us. The campsite was nearly full, but she said she never turns hikers away. The price was very good, and the washrooms were clean and comfortable to use. A kind and welcoming host, and I’d happily recommend the place.

There’s a dedicated area for hikers, plus a pleasant common room with a few kitchen facilities. A great place to stop along the GR10.

The deck is a lovely spot to watch the sun set over the Barèges Valley, and it’s only a short walk into town. This small, family-run campground has grassy pitches for tents, and you can fall asleep to the river’s steady sound. Marjolein and her very huggable guard dog, who also greets people at the door, make you feel at home. The common room is a real help for hikers and tent campers, with lounges, tables, an iron, a kettle, a microwave, and even a pool table. There are also quaint wooden cabins for anyone with more to spend. It’s a good base for exploring the surrounding Pyrenees, and unlike many campgrounds in the area, it stays open in the low season. Highly recommended.

Bareges was a great base for seeing the main sights in the Pyrenees. The village was very quiet during our between-season stay, which also fell between two ‘jour fériés’. You’ll need a car, and there are very few shops in the village. We spent a week in a spacious three-bedroom gite across the road from the main campsite. The owner and her son gave us a warm welcome even though we arrived early to check in. Everything was clean and in good order, and we could sit on the small balcony and look toward the mountains. We picked the place for its games room and enjoyed several games of pool, quirky table and all. We also learned Dutch billiards and molki. The Wi-Fi wasn’t working at the start or end of our stay, and when it did work, it crashed quite often. Marjolaine was kind and attentive, and we’d highly recommend the place.