Saw the images earlier today, they are certainly stunning in their detail, a 1 metre Cassegrain teamed with todays cameras and excellent seeing conditions does help.
Actually I saw one image released by Thierry Legault a week ago that was almost obviously the best Mars image from the Earths surface. Would have been taken during the same imaging run , no doubt.
Yes it is a beautifully sited observatory. Every year when the Tour Du France is passing through the Pyrenees Mountains they show a helicopter flyover of the observatory and often show a long shot of the obs perched up on the peak as the bike race passes along the valley below. Beautiful countryside.
Pic du Midi has serious history, even from the Jurassic days of film it was churning out impressive imagery.
This however is truly amazing stuff. Thanks for the link Marc !