Part 24 (1/2)

Bankers.--Merillon, || will take English cheques, &c.; Mr.

Church, English Vice-Consul; Mr. M. Clay, U. S. ViceConsul; Tricou, &c.

Post and Telegraph Office, Reading--Rooms, Theatre, Casino, &c.

English Club.--Place Royale.

For the princ.i.p.al Excursions and sports and pastimes, refer to Chapter I.; for trips to Eaux Bonnes and Eaux Chaudes, refer to Chapter XIII.

PAYOLE.--See Paillole in Appendix.

PERPIGNAN.--A large town on the river Tet, in the Pyrenees Orientales, junction for Prades (station for Vernet), from the Toulouse line and starting-point of the coach for Amelie; 132 miles from Toulouse, 25 1/2 from Prades, 29 1/2 from Molitg, 32 1/2 from Vernet, and 23 1/2 from Amelie. It is fortified; celebrated for its garnet jewellery; and situated in a valley covered with groves of olive and pomegranate, and fruitful vineyards. Cathedral; chateau (splendid view from donjon tower) in the Citadol, entrance i fr.; theatre, Picture Gallery, &c.

Hotels.--Grand, De France, De l'Europe, Du Pet.i.t Paris, &c.

Post and Telegraph Office.

The Chief Excursions are:--

La Salanque, the whole day, by carriage _via_ St. Laurent de la Salanque; Torreilles; Ste. Marie and Villelongue de la Salanque.

Castell Rossello et Canet.--6 1/4 miles; carriage-road part of the way.

PEYREHORADE.--Village in the Landes, and station on the line between Puyoo (13 miles) and Bayonne (19 miles).

Inns.--Lafond Des Voyageurs.

PIERREFITTE.[Footnote: The station is called Pierrefitte-Nestalas.]--A village situated at the foot of the Pic de Soulom and the Gorge de Cauterets in the Hautes Pyrenees. Terminus of the railway line from Lourdes, and starting-point for the diligences to Cauterets, Luz, St. Sauveur, and Bareges.

Hotels.--De la Poste, || Des Pyrenees, De France. Living more moderate than at any of the above-mentioned towns or Argeles. For further information see Chapter IV.

PRESTE-LES-BAINS.--A bathing-resort in the Eastern Pyrenees, 19 miles from Amelie (to which refer in Appendix), and 42-1/2 from Perpignan, the nearest railway station.

The Bathing Establishment is supplied by one sulphurous spring only, partaking of much the same properties as the more celebrated ones at the larger resorts, being specially beneficial, when drunk, for lithiasis and catarrh of the bladder.

Hotel accommodation in the Bathing Establishment.

Season.--June to October.

PUYOO.--A village in the Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees, one mile distant from the station of same name; junction for Bayonne from the line between Bordeaux and Pau; from which it is 11-1/2 miles and 32-1/2 miles distant, respectively.

Hotels.--Lafont, Voyageurs.

ReBENAC.--A village in the Val de Neez, Ba.s.ses-Pyrenees, 10 miles from Pau, and 17-1/2 from Eaux Bonnes on the direct route, between the two.

Inn.--Du Perigord.

SAINT AVENTIN (2805 ft.).--A village in the Haute-Garonne, 2-3/4 miles from Luchon, on the Route Thermale. Known for the chapel of same name, to which a legend is attached.

SAINT BeAT.--A village in the Haute-Garonne, 3-1/4 miles from Marignac, a station on the line between Luchon and Montrejeau, from which it is 9-1/2 and 13 miles distant respectively. A favourite drive from Luchon (see Chapter XI. and Luchon in Appendix), road to Viella _via_ Bosost.