Le Béarn

This intrepid land, rich in history and traditions, is a wonderful destination with a myriad of places to discover during a tour of the Pyrenees or a long, restful holiday in the peaceful Béarn countryside.

The famous rivers of Oloron and Pau and the spectacular scenery of the Valleys of the Aspe, Ossau and Barétous are perfect for walking, canoeing, canyoning, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing. There are over 1,000 footpaths in the region, notably the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela which come together in Béarn before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col du Somport.

The region has plenty of leisure complexes and spas to relax and unwind. Gourmet visitors are spoilt for choice with the wide range of local speciality foods, often shared by Béarn and Pays Basque like Ossau Iraty AOC (Protected Designated Origin) ewe’s cheese.

There is no shortage of cultural places to visit either, like the royal town of Pau, capital of Béarn. This pretty Art and History town at the foot of the Pyrenees is 1 hour from Bayonne and Biarritz on the Basque Coast and 45 minutes from ski resorts. It provides a taster of the cultural heritage of Béarn which has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Cathedral of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and the Pilgrim Routes to Santiago de Compostela.

The valleys of the Pyrenees offer numerous opportunities for winter sport enthusiasts at the ski resorts of Gourette, Artouste, La Pierre Saint Martin for downhill skiing and the Nordic skiing areas of Somport, Issarbe and Iraty."