Gavarnie is a small village in the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France. It is located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, near the border with Spain. Gavarnie is famous for its spectacular natural scenery, including the Gavarnie Cirque, a vast amphitheater of cliffs and peaks that rises to over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in elevation. The Cirque is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, and is also home to the Gavarnie Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Europe, with a height of over 400 meters (1,300 feet). The area around Gavarnie is part of the Pyrenees National Park, which protects a wide range of flora and fauna, including numerous species of birds and mammals such as bears, wolves, and chamois. The village itself is small and charming, with traditional stone houses, restaurants serving local cuisine, and a variety of shops and services for visitors.
Photography: Walter Somers
