Welcome to our new website. Please get in touch if there is anything you would like to discuss further. In this post we explore the area surrounding La Joliette.
Things to do and see near La Joliette
a Joliette is situated in a charming town in the southwestern French Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, which is certainly worth exploring, while the Béarn region offers attractions for sports fans and gastronomy lovers alike.
The Local Area: Oloron-Sainte-Marie (2 kms)
A bustling market town located at the junction of the rivers Aspe and Ossau, Oloron-Sainte-Marie was in fact two separate towns until 1858. It is a pleasant town worthy of a visit particularly on market day (Friday).
In the past, Oloron-Sainte-Marie was an important staging post on the pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela and in memory of this route there are contemporary sculptures located at historic points of interest in the town. For a great view up the Vallée d’Aspe to the mountains extending into the Pays Basque, walk along the top of the old ramparts (near Église Ste-Croix).
Other sites worth a visit are the Ste-Marie cathedral which began life in the 12th century; the Pont de Ste-Claire over the Gave d’Aspe – an early work of Gustav Eiffel; the Quartier Ste-Croix has a delightful medieval square; and the genteel Jardin Publique with its own Victorian bandstand.
Haut-Béarn
This is a wonderful landscape that forms a natural boundary between France and Spain. It is also a haven for outdoor pursuits. Two beautiful river valleys – d’Ossau and d’Aspe – offer great walking/hiking, mountain biking and, in Spring, good white-water potential. Parasailing, rock-climbing, horse-riding and fishing are also popular. Skiing is possible at nearby stations such as Gourette.
At Soeix (3kms south east of Oloron-Ste-Marie), there is an excellent white-water rafting centre. It’s very popular in the summer and it’s recommended that you visit the centre early during your stay to book a trip.
In the Parc National des Pyrénées lives some of Europe’s most exotic wildlife including chamois, royal eagles and brown bears, whilst at Laruns there is a 92-hectare reserve for the griffon vulture. At Lescun you will find one of France’s most photogenic natural locations, the Needles of Ansabère, an amphitheatre of jagged limestone peaks rising to the summit of Pic d’Anie.
Also in the Haut-Béarn and a great day out for the kids is a ride on Le Petit Train d’Artouste. Built for dam workers, this 10 kms train journey tales passengers along the flanks of the Pic de la Sagette. It’s best to book this trip in advance.
A short drive north is the stylish and compact city of Pau. Barely known of outside of France, Pau has a variety of attractions. It sprang to fame in the 19th century when wealthy British and Americans were drawn to its mild climate and it became a popular winter holiday destination. To this day, Pau retains an ‘upmarket’ feel about it. There is a thriving café and bar life plus plenty of opportunity for boutique shopping, notably along the rues des Cordeliers and Serviez. Pau also has its own château (and birthplace of King Henri IV) plus one of the south west’s finest panoramic views – the spectacular array of distant, snow-capped peaks as seen from the Boulevard des Pyrénées.
A little known fact is that Pau is home to continental Europe’s first golf course, built in 1856 by a resident Scotsman. Pau also hosts horse-racing events, a vintage car race and a Formula 3 street race every year.
Day Trip Ideas
- A day – at least – exploring the Pyrenees National Parc is a must
- Touring the historic towns of the Béarn…Orthez, Salies, Sauveterre
- White-water rafting the Gave d’Aspe
- Visit under-rated Pau for its fine shops and mountain views
- The beaches, glitz and seafood of the Côte Basque at Biarritz or St Jean de Luz
- Hiking the Haut Bearn’s two beautiful river valleys – d’Ossau and d’Aspe
- Take the kids on the mountain funicular, Le Petit Train d’Artouste
- Vulture-watching at Laruns
- Sample the views from the Pic du Midi observatory on a starry night
Nearby Activities
Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Wine-tasting · Hiking · Mountain biking · Mountain sports · Skiing & winter sports