General theme
Over the years, both the French and Spanish sides, as well as the English, have carried out a vast, highly fragmented study of the escapes to Spain over the Pyrenees between 1941 and 1944.
Defining the cultural itinerary
These trails used by escapees and smugglers are often referred to as "freedom trails" by our local associations. We'll call them "Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées".
Historical and cultural background
The Second World War (1939-1945), with its millions of deaths and the Nazi regime's determination to exterminate the Jews, left a dramatic mark on the history of Europe and the world.
France
Spain
Portugal
Andorra
United Kingdom
Belgium
Germany
Italy
Romania
During the Second World War, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees were crossed by more than 55,000 escapees.
The central part of the Pyrenees (Ariège, Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées) is home to the most important crossing routes, known as " Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées Europe ". They form a close link between several nations: France, Spain, Andorra, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
They bear witness to the crossing of the Pyrenees by thousands of Resistance fighters, aviators, Jews and other escapees fleeing the Nazi regime.
The ILPE are an opportunity to discover heritage, exceptional landscapes and traditions, and pay tribute to these heroes.
The crossing of the Pyrenees to Spain and London... for Resistance fighters, airmen, Jews and many others are heroic moments that must be remembered and preserved.
Our Blog / News
A look back at the symposium at the French Senate: The Freedom Pyrenees Europe Routes in the spotlight
On Monday, April 28, 2025, Josette Durrieu, secretary-manager, and Yoan Rumeau, president, represented the Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées Europe at the Senate, at the invitation of Bruno Favel, head of the World Heritage mission at the French Ministry of Culture, and...
UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION BETWEEN LE ROUTARD AND ITINÉRAIRES LIBERTÉ PYRÉNÉES EUROPE.
The Association's Board has approved the principle of an unprecedented collaboration with the Guide du Routard® and Editions Hachette, for the publication in October 2025 of a guide to the Pyrenean "Chemins de la Liberté". This is an extraordinary opportunity...
Third-generation families, schoolchildren and the general public in our countries must be able to do their duty to remember.
Places such as caves, inns, hospices and railway stations need to be preserved and even enhanced, opening up this environment to culture, heritage, traditions, thenatural environment and tourism in all its aspects.