The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-05-08

ter of picturesque and health
full resorts, but it is only in lat
ter years that attention has
been centered on the beautiful winter
resorts and very enticing winter
sports organized by the different local
"Syndicats dInitiative" and the Syn
dicats d'Hoteliers" and especially by
the Chemins de fer du Midi ct dor
leans. The Pyrenees and the Alps
have been fortunate in that these
sports have been promoted by the so
ciete des Chemins de fer ct des Hotels
des Pyrenees." Mr.. Paul. the energetic
president of the society, is also gem
eral manager of the "Compagnie du
Midi" and a member of the committee
on winter sports Of the French Club
Alpin." Altogether no effort has been
spared to create In France most at
tractive center for those who are fond
of these popular and healthful winter
sports, writes c. C. Bertault-Seguin, in
Town and Country.
Beautiful Mountain Country.
For a long time the mountains, and
considered but as summer and thermal
resorts and the fact that their appeal
Is no longer so limited is entirely due
to the initiative and hard work of the
above-named societies. The Pyrenees
mountains rank first as beautiful
mountain country, extending as they
do from the Mediterranean to the At
lantic, separating France from Spain.
Here one has fresh green valleys al
ternating with the icy peaks of the
imposing mountains. Everywhere are
seen the most beautiful sites imagin-
able and, if needed, most beneficial
mineral sources can be enjoyed. And
1t is in the most fascinating part of
this most fascinating country that the
winter sports are at their height.
There are four places to be particu-
larly mentioned because they can be
easily reached and because they offer
superior hotel accommodations. These
are Cauterets, Superbagneres, Luchon
and Font-Romeu.
These four resorts have the advan-
tages of superior climate and OF
heavy falls of snow. Cauterets gets
its big snow az early as December and
in March scarcely begins to shed its
white mantle. Situated as Cauterets
is, with high mountains embanking 1t
most picturesquely and shielding 1t
from high winds, the cold is never un-
pleasant even when the thermometer
registers ten or twelve degrees below
zero. The result is most beneficial
dry, stimulating cold air. At the doors
of the superb and comfortable Hotel
d'Angleterre fields of snow and long,
enticing roads for bobsleighing and
luging makes IL a most attractive CEN
ter for all winter games. The cold
air and the sports act as stimulant
to the appetite, SO II Is fortunate that
the Grand hotel supplies the very best
that can be procured in the way Of
cuisine. And in the salons and the bed
rooms one can enjoy the latest and
most luxurious comforts. Any of the
thermal cures can be taken at the
same time. as the latest appliances are
provided for that purpose.
Luxurious Accommodations.
Font-Romeu has most delightful at
fractions and Is q health resort of
great value. Situated in the center of
the French Cerdagne, above the vast
plateau which Baron Taylor describes
as zone of the most beautiful countries
in the whole world" 1t offers a very
fine and invigorating climate and an
altitude OF over five thousand feet
above the sea level. Here, as well as
at Cauterets, can be found the highest
peaks of this region of the Pyrenees
Orientales. It's picturesque situation,
it's pretty villas, the first-class accom-
modations afforded for all winter
sports, it's fine lie Grand hotel with
spacious and luxurious salons and 200
comfortable rooms with hot running
water and bathrooms, all contribute to
make 1t highly delightful resort Dur
ing the summer Font-Romeu is won
derfully cool; in winter, thanks to the
protection given by Mount Carlitt's
gigantic mass, 1t is cozily shielded
from the north winds. A large skating
rink has been made right on the ter
race OF the hotel and throughout the
year tennis, croquet. fishing and shoot
ing are among the pleasures one may
expect.
Superbagneres. very close to Font
Romeu, is no less attractive, being
superbly situated and offering ell ad.
vantages possible to sportsmen. There
are luxurious hotels and complete
pleasure-programs to attract the num-
erous tourists, who, after one visit, are
certain to return with enthusiasm TO
this attractive spot