Local Area
Béarn des GavesThe Béarn des Gaves region is an area situated mid-way between Pau and Biarritz being close to both sea and mountains giving a temperate maritime climate, wooded hillsides and a river valley rich in natural and historic resources such as the special regional cuisine and vineyards of the Basque and Béarn. It is a region of contrasts, each of the cantons, Navarrenx, Orthez, Salies-de-Béarn & Sauveterre-de-Béarn show their regional diversities
Navarrenx
Our closest town, it lays claim to being the first Bastide (walled city) in France, displaying a well-preserved example of the military architecture of the 14th Century. Capital of salmon fishing, a top spot for white-water sports and outings with a pottok (small Basque pony) or on a mountain bike, and also a stop-over town on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, Navarrenx boasts art galleries, pavement cafes and restaurants, a twice weekly market and historic rampart walks – plenty to attract a visitor to while away a relaxed day or afternoon in the town.
Sauveterre-de-Béarn
Situated in the centre of the Béarn region is the superb mediaeval town of Sauveterre-de-Béarn. Its interesting traces of the past, spared by the passing of time, bear witness to a special place of residence for the Princes of Béarn and to the pilgrims passing through on their way to Santiago-de-Compostela.
Salies-de-Béarn
To the North, the salt town of Salies-de-Béarn is renowned for its Spa, its health & beauty treatments and its Conference centre. Nestled among wooded hills, it is a small town full of character, its old stone houses, sloping roofs and picturesque flowered lanes. Beautiful 17th and 18th century dwellings sit as neighbours to the typical Spa architecture of the Belle Epoque such as the Hotel du Parc that, today, houses the casino.
Orthez
To the East lies Orthez, former capital of the Béarn with its exceptional historic heritage and an overnight halt for pilgrims on the route de Santiago de Compostela since the 11th century. It was at Saint Boès, near Orthez that Marshal Soult's Napoleonic troops confronted the Duke of Wellington's British armies. French history books speak little of the battle, but the British ones glorify this major conflict.
On 27 February 1814, nearly 5500 soldiers from Taupin's division were in position. They forced the enemy to retreat to the cries of "Long live the Emperor !", but during one furious attack, General Béchaud was killed. More than 5000 men fell in these hills. A plaque on the school wall commemorates the sacrifice of these French soldiers.
