Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Administrative district in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Oloron-Sainte-Marie is a town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France, where two mountain rivers meet in a valley. The town spreads across both banks, with neighborhoods rising from the waterfront into the surrounding hills.
The settlement began in Roman times at the meeting point of two river valleys and later grew around medieval trade routes toward Spain. By the 19th century, the town became a center for textile manufacturing and beret production.
The administrative area maintains records of local traditions, including the production of Ossau-Iraty cheese and the manufacturing heritage of berets.
The town center can be explored on foot, with paths crossing bridges and following the riverbanks. Visitors can cover the old quarters and market square comfortably in half a day.
A local church tower holds a 12th-century carved portal showing scenes from medieval life. The carvings are often overlooked, though they rank among the oldest stonework in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
