Holidays in Béarn: the 15 unmissable sites and events of the Béarn summer 2025

Music, dance, Tour de France… the 15 events of your summer in Béarn

ASPE VALLEY. On July 25 and 27, a performance of the pastoral "A l'entorn deth Layens" will be given in each of the villages at the initiative of this popular opera created and performed by the inhabitants. This collective and intergenerational theatrical creation tells the story of the birth of the commune of Lourdios-Ichère, a hamlet previously attached to the village of Osse-en-Aspe. Around a hundred volunteers participated in the creation, in the Béarnese language, of the play, which they will stage in period costumes, in Osse-en-Aspe on July 25 at 7:30 p.m., and in Lourdios-Ichère on the 27th at 5:30 p.m.

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PAU. It's been thirty-nine years since the Pau-Luchon-Superbagnères stage appeared on a Tour map. That was in 1986. A true mountain route that offers riders 183 kilometers of effort, passing through Lourdes, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, the Col du Tourmalet, the Col d'Aspin, and the Col de Peyresourde. At the Tissié stadium, opposite Pau train station, the open-air museum Le Tour des Géants, dedicated to the winners of the Grande Boucle, is expanding with 11 new steles that will welcome future winners. The totem of the winner of the 2024 Tour, Tadej Pogačar, will be inaugurated on July 19, at the start of the Pau-Luchon-Superbagnères stage.

SALIES-DE-BÉARN. A small town in the Southwest where the inhabitants are happy people! And for good reason: for five centuries, a unique phenomenon in France, they have inherited a subsoil overflowing with salt. An inalienable and untransferable treasure. Once a currency, the salt of Salies has made the wealth and fame of the town. Already known to the Romans, who came to bathe there, the thermal water of Salies, seven times saltier than the Dead Sea, is renowned for its medicinal properties. Its salt is also used to preserve cured meats, and in particular that of the famous Bayonne ham. This whole story is told at the Museum of Salt and Béarnese Traditions . Full price: €6

HAUT BÉARN. It allows you to discover the geological heritage of the Aspe and Haut-Aragon valleys and illustrates 400 million years of the history of the formation of the Pyrenees over 200 km. The route includes 25 developed sites and offers bilingual explanatory panels (French-Spanish) throughout, to understand the formation of landscapes and rocks. Discovery trails departing from the Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Sarrance and Bedous stations. The GéolVal association organizes outings on the geology of the Pyrenees and offers a different interpretation of the landscape. Outings suggested on geolval.fr

LA PIERRE-SAINT-MARTIN. An underground geological visit to the bowels of the Earth! The La Verna chamber is a mecca for scientific exploration caving, discovered in 1953 after exploring 3.5 km of galleries from the Lépineux shaft. At the time, it was the world record for depth reached in caving, at -734 meters. The cave can be visited (minimum age: 5 years) through a 660-meter-long tunnel. Visitors can discover the extraordinary human adventure that was the exploration of this chasm. It is possible to descend to the river at the bottom of La Verna, via 80 steps carved into the rock, or to undertake, supervised by a professional, an underground hike outside the designated area, following in the footsteps of the pioneers. Reservations required: laverna.fr . Prices: adults €19, children €11

PAU. Behind the tramway factory, this slightly bohemian third-place aims to be a village of artisans and festivities. Located on a former industrial wasteland, or rather in the disused hangars of an old transport company, it is coming back to life thanks to the artists and creators who have settled there. The village is also a place for initiation and the transmission of know-how. Every year since 2018, La Forge Moderne has offered cultural and musical events during the warmer months, accompanied by mobile catering outlets. Program at laforgemoderne.fr

LESCAR. For a meaningful and supportive vacation, the Emmaüs Lescar-Pau village, unique in its size, its living environment facing the Pyrenees, and especially for the social, economic, and ecological alternatives it develops, invites volunteers and woofers to participate in its activities. There are a dozen workshops and more than 30 different trades to discover, from market gardening to carpentry, upholstery, baking, and IT. You can come for a day, a week, or longer without any long-term commitment, with room, board, and laundry included. The village is also a must-see in the Pau metropolitan area. Information: emmaus-lescar-pau.net

NAVARRENX. Proud to be the first fortified town in France, Navarrenx also claims the title of "salmon capital" thanks to the Gave d'Oloron. This river is renowned for its fishing for migratory fish such as sea trout, shad, and, in particular, wild Atlantic salmon. And, even if its resources are no longer as abundant as in the ^18th century, the Gave d'Oloron remains classified as first-category, and one of the most beautiful European sites in terms of its fishing route, with more than 100 pools listed. Also highly prized for its ramparts, which can be visited, Navarrenx is worth a short detour.

SAUVETERRE-DE-BÉARN. It can be seen below, imperturbable amidst the waves, straddling part of the Gave. Only part, the other having been swept away by the floods and never rebuilt. It is accessed from the church square by an old stone staircase that descends to the river. The lush vegetation makes the place incredibly romantic. But this is to forget that the Gave has not always been calm, and that Queen Sancie was thrown into its tumultuous waters. This is the story of the legend of the famous bridge, which is well worth the detour. The more daring will push on to the island of Glère, offering a beautiful view of the fortifications of Sauveterre .

PAYS DE NAY. Located between Pau and Lourdes, a stone's throw from the mountains, the Pays de Nay offers numerous sporting activities. Its 300 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails, and its water sports center on Lake Baudreix, delight families in search of nature. Once known as "Little Manchester" for its flourishing industrialization, Nay retains traces of its past, such as the recently renovated Maison Carrée, the flour mill, and the Béret Museum. The Nay market, every Tuesday and Saturday, is a must-see for small producers and artisans. On the square, browse the well-stocked Peyrucq bookstore.

NAY. Looking for a lovely holiday souvenir? Unique, local, inexpensive arts and crafts that will help you remember your stay in Béarn? Visit the Esprit Montagne Pyrénées workshop in Mirepeix, home of painter Catherine Baylet, which is opening its doors to the public this summer. Her works, painted in acrylic and Indian ink, depict the Pyrenean peaks, created with a highly original technique using a multitude of strokes that create relief and shapes. Her workshop is open to the public all summer on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment at 06 08 15 57 98. 523, route de Nay in Mirepeix

ORTHEZ. The Maison Jeanne-d'Albret has had a makeover; the museum has been completely redesigned to make it easier to navigate. The themes remain the same, focusing on the history of Protestantism and four centuries of Béarn history, from the origins of the Reformation to the beginning of the 20th ^century . Not forgetting the decisive role of Jeanne d'Albret in the region. A city walk completes the visit, following in the footsteps of King Henry IV's mother. The map can be obtained from the tourist office or the museum reception. Guided tour: €3.50.

ASPE VALLEY. In a movie setting, the small village of Lescun, perched at an altitude of 900 meters, offers a breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful cirques in the range, dotted with mountains, some of which marked the era of Pyreneism. Among them, the famous Aiguilles d'Ansabère, true "Pyrenean Dolomites" marked by as many dramas as exploits. The village is home to 150 residents year-round. Three times as many in summer! But its picturesque architecture, its barns scattered across the plateau, and its still very present rural life make it one of the most authentic in the Pyrenees.

ASPE VALLEY. This is a path carved into the cliff over 300 years ago! It overlooks a cliff over 100 meters high , above what was called the Gorges de l'Enfer. This is where the tree trunks used to pass to build King Louis XIV's fleet. The Portalet military fort, just below, was built in the 19th ^century on the rock itself in one of the valley's locks to protect the border. During the Second World War, it was requisitioned as a state prison where Blum, Daladier, and then, in 1945, Pétain were imprisoned after his trial. Today, it can be visited by reservation: 05 59 34 57 57. Full price €13, children €8.

BÉARN. All summer long, village festivals are highlights of local life , combining Gascon traditions, conviviality, gastronomy and music. They take place in practically every village and allow residents to meet around refreshment stands, in the square or under a marquee, to share meals, sing and dance. These festive and intergenerational gatherings are a bit like the soul of Béarn. Such as the festivals of Orthez (from July 24 to 27) or Dax (August 13-17), among the most famous. Not forgetting the Fête des sottises, in Salies-de-Béarn (July 14-17), which celebrates street and circus arts. And the Hestiv'Òc festival, which every summer honors the Occitan language (August 21-24). The Laruns Festival (around August 15th), where you can watch the famous Ossaloise dances in traditional costumes. September also remains very festive with the traditional Garbure Festival in Oloron (first Saturday of the month) and the unmissable Salt Festival in Salies-de-Béarn (from the 11th to the 14th).