Cherry Cottage: Self Catering Accommodation / Gite in the French Pyrenees
Andorra

Today, Andorra is what is known as a Principality.  It is a relatively small area (approx 450 square kilometers) that borders both France and Spain, and is almost entirely mountainous.  

It is a place known to some purely as a tax haven, where you can buy discounted alcohol, cigarettes and electrical goods.  For others it is a cheap downhill skiing destination with resorts such as Pas de la Casa and Grand Valira attracting huge numbers of skiers, particularly the British, each year. 

There is more to Andorra, but you do have to look for it!  By far its most attractive feature is the fact that it has some stunning walking to be done amongst the massive peaks, and, as most people are shopping madly in the concrete jungles of Pas de la Casa and Andorra la Vella, the hills are blissfully unspoilt. 

Andorra has only very recently (1993) become a democracy.  Until then, since 1278  and the Act of Pareatge, in fact, it has been co-governed by the Spanish Bishops of La Seu d'Urgell, representing the Spanish Church, and the Counts of Foix, representing the French sovereignty and in more recent times, the French President. 

Although these 2 parties were the co-seigneurs of Andorra, its day to day running was managed by a Consell General de les Valls, made up of representatives of Andorra's 7 valley communes. 

It was during the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War that Andorra first began to develop its trade of goods, some of which were smuggled items.  This evolved into a legitimate duty-free trade which, along with the skiing, attracted approximately 12 million visitors a year.  This inundation of visitors had obvious affects on the infrastructure of the area, as well as a huge environmental impact. 

In 1993 a referendum was held to give the inhabitants an opportunity to vote for a democratic constitution. The vote, only given to the 10,000 or so native inhabitants was overwhelming for a democracy, which is now in place.  

None of the parties standing in 1993 suggested any form of taxation, and there is still no income tax in Andorra.  Instead, Andorra has been converted into a kind of offshore banking centre.

The national language of Andorra is Catalan, although most people seem to speak anything from Spanish, French, English and Catalan. 

In July and August there is a bus service from Ax les Thermes - ask for details in the Tourist Office in Ax.

Customs: Note that customs are vigilant in checking that you have not bought more than you should.