Ossau Valley, Mountain valley in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Description
The Ossau Valley runs from Col du Pourtalet at the Spanish border down to Arudy and features rolling grasslands crossed by the Gaves d'Ossau and Brousset streams. The landscape shifts between open meadows, forested slopes, and rocky peaks across its length.
History
The valley emerged as a key pastoral region where shepherds built traditional huts and routes for moving their herds through the Pyrenees. This transhumance economy shaped settlement and land use for centuries.
Culture
Cheese making shapes the valley's character today, especially Ossau-Iraty produced only from milk of three local sheep breeds. This tradition ties the community to their land and heritage.
Practical
Visitors can explore hiking and trekking routes from the Maison du Parc, which provides information about Pyrenees National Park paths. Proper footwear and weather protection are advisable since conditions change quickly in the mountains.
Did you know?
The Petit Train d'Artouste operates at around 2000 meters elevation and ranks among Europe's highest cogwheel railways. The journey covers about 10 kilometers and opens views across surrounding peaks.
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Petit train d'Artouste
9.7 km
Pic de Ger
7.3 km
Hôtel des Princes
2.3 kmLac de Castet
9.8 km
Vallée du Soussouéou
10.1 km
Château de Bielle
8.2 kmRéserve naturelle nationale de la Vallée d'Ossau
8.4 km
Église Saint-Martin d'Aydius
10.3 km
Église de Laruns
1.1 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Assouste
450 m
Chapelle de Gabas
10.3 km
Église Saint-Polycarpe de Castet
9.6 km
Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bilhères
8.8 km
Eglise Saint-Vivien de Bielle
8 km
Église Saint-Martin de Louvie-Soubiron
1.8 km
Béost St Jacques church
1.2 km
Église Saint-Laurent d'Aas
1.2 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Houndas de Bilhères
9.4 km
Monument aux morts de Bielle
8.1 km
Église Saints-Félix-et-Audacte de Béon
5.6 km
Grotte des Eaux Chaudes
5.5 km
Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste-Notre-Dame-des-Infirmes des Eaux-Bonnes
2.5 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Aste
4.3 km
Église Saint-Orience de Gère
4.8 km
Église de l'Assomption-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie d'Eaux-Chaudes
3.8 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Bélesten
5.3 km
Château de Béost
1.2 km
Château de Béon
5.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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