After mastering the kitchen, it was time to take on the bakery! Aurélie and Paul Rami, the duo behind La Table du Cinq, built a new playground for themselves in central Bagnères: a shop with plenty of tiles and concrete, brimming with adorable pastries and sourdough breads that go so well together. When it comes to the breads, there’s tradition or seeded baguettes, spiced cornbread, plus a creation of the moment (the day went it was a loaf made with spent grain from brewed beer). As for the sweets, there are raisin, pistachio or chocolate rolls, raspberry financiers, gooey coconut cakes or even old-fashioned brioche…. not to mention the abricotier (apricot crumble with hazelnut cream, slow-roasted apricots and an apricot-peach bavarois), of which we would happily take a second helping. And why not order one of their savory dishes beforehand? Like the delicious txistorra Basque sausage salad, the bun filled with beef steak, bacon, local sheep’s milk cheese, black garlic cream and caramelized onions, or maybe even the dish of the day: slow-roasted guinea fowl supreme with a full-bodied jus, creamy polenta and sweet potato mousseline. // Loulou Pic

THE HIDDEN GEM: The Tourmalet loaf, a local specialty made with spelt wheat flour from the Moulin Maury and Etché wheat flour, studded with hazelnuts, apricots, figs and raisins (€11.50/kg).