The historical heritage of the Hautes Pyrenees is very rich : castles, churches, abbeys, local traditions, and grottos create a very strong local identity for you to discover, share and enjoy.
The bastide villages
Galan, Rabastens de Bigorre, Tournay, Trie sur Baïse... enhance your holiday in the Hautes Pyrenees by setting off to explore these exceptional bastide villages. These 'new' towns date from the 13th and 14th centuries and are representative of monarchic power.
All have a very characteristic layout :
- a large central square, always 'square', used for commercial activity
- houses with arcades making up the square
- a rigid grid network of streets converging on the main square
Churches and abbeys
The Hautes Pyrenees has more than 10 abbeys, all dating from the 10th century, as you explore the department make sure you find the time to visit these treasures, and discover their heritage of local culture and Pyrenean art.
Hautes Pyreneans... mystical and religious? More than 550 parish churches and 150 chapels are the proof. The Catholic religion played an important part in Bigourdan society, leaving behind an important cultural heritage.
The castles
The castle of Lourdes played an important part in the town's history from the 11th to 19th centuries. The Chateau de Montaner is both a fortress and a Middle Ages palace, dating from 1374. The Chateau de Mauvezin was dramatically constructed on a rocky bluff... each chateau has its own history, a visit will plunge you back into another era.
The museums
The strong Pyrenean identity is accompanied by a fascinating local history. It is recounted in different ways through the lives of the most famous local people but also the more modest. In both cases it deserves to be discovered.
Discover the dynamism of the Hautes Pyrenees. Scientists and technicians share their research and knowledge to help us better understand this region.
The underground world
Set off to discover the fabulous underground world which lies beneath your feet. The Grottes de Gargas offer a strange journey through a pre-historic world. Discover a route over five different levels at the Grottes de Betharram. The Esparras Caves are some of the finest in the Pyrenees, you will marvel at the wealth of the superb aragonite secretions, magnificent rock crystal formations.
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