For weeks, the thinning Pyrenean deputy in the parliament building attracted little attention.

ECONOMIST: A pre-emptive strike by a politician from the Pyrenees

Even the small Pyrenean nation, which used to insist on performing in Catalan, has plumped for a Euro-friendly disco tune in English this year.

BBC: San Marino's big musical moment

Three further Pyrenean tests loom, with Monday bringing a 187.5km stage with three lower-category climbs, then the hors-category Port de Bales, followed by a tight descent to Bagneres-de-Luchon.

BBC: Tour de France 2010: Riblon wins first Pyrenees stage

But he was forced to retire during a Pyrenean stage.

BBC: Christophe Moreau

Then, in 2009, an extinct Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica) was cloned at the University of Zaragoza in northern Spain, using domestic goats as allies in the experiment.

FORBES: July 5th: Interdependence Day

Arrested on August 19th during the trashing of the site for a new McDonald's in the Pyrenean town of Millau, he stole the headlines by refusing to go free on bail.

ECONOMIST: Rural France, up in arms