The Tarbes Madiran hills

Vines, wine and life

In this part of the Hautes-Pyrénées department the good life rhymes with good food. Explore the old bastides and villages of the Pyrenean foothills where a surprise awaits around every corner: here a village square, there a shady terrace, a market, scents and colours…

The scenery stretches to the horizon. Vines stripe the hillsides and wine cellars open their doors to you. You’ll be surprised by these hearty wines, tannic and robust which some producers have raised to a level of excellence comparable to fine wines from Bordeaux.

Entertainment, events and festivals abound in the area, including the famous “Jazz in Marciac” every year in August.

Special features

Gastronomy
Wine tasting and oenology
Sport
Relaxation
Away from it all
Vitality
Horseback riding
Birdwatching
Astronomy
Mountain sports

Discover

Tarbes, the horse capital
The National Stud
Heritage and discovery walks in town
Tours in a horse-drawn carriagee
Madiran wine centre
Wine cellars and châteaux (Pacherenc and Madiran)
The villages

Get moving / Year-round opportunities

Mountain sports : hiking, skiing cycling, paragliding, horseback riding, treks on horseback, fishing, mountain biking
Unforgettable moments : Equestria, the horse festival (July)

Nearby

Lourdes
Pau – the city of King Henri IV

A little further away

Aure, Louron and Nestes valleys
The Bagnères/Grand Tourmalet valley
Pays Toy valleys (Barèges - Luz-Saint-Sauveur - Gavarnie)
The Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne valley
The Pic de Midi de Bigorre and its observatory
The legendary Tourmalet pass
Toulouse – its history, the Space City