For those who nag that their country is in crisis, there is a striking example: Andorra. The town El Pas de la Casa at the altitude of 2080 m (6,820 ft) among bare rocks and weak vegetation and overlooking clouds beneath, is a rival to many prominent downtowns in the amount of fun it offers for shopping and dining. From the French side you approach Andorra via the Ariege department of Midi-Pyrenees (driving by such towns as Foix, Tarascon sur Ariege and Ax-les-thermes). (Technically, the last few kilometers before Andorra it's Languedoc.)

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