The Pyrenees-Atlantiques mountain range marks the natural border between France and Spain, and forms the western end of the Pyrenees.
In this department, the mountains stretch from the Aspe Valley in the east to the Basque massifs in the west, offering a varied and spectacular landscape deeply shaped by local history and culture.

Geographically, the range begins in the east with the Ossau, Aspe, and Barétous valleys, located in Béarn.
These glacial valleys are surrounded by steep peaks, some of which rise above 2,500 meters in altitude.
The Pic du Midi d’Ossau, an emblematic peak standing at 2,884 meters, is one of the most recognizable and photographed summits of the range.
It towers over the Pyrenees National Park, which is home to exceptional biodiversity: isards, marmots, golden eagles, griffon vultures, and even some brown bears.

The climate in this mountainous area is influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
This results in a humid mountain climate, with abundant rainfall—especially on the northern slopes—and moderate temperatures.
Winters can be harsh at high altitudes, with heavy snowfall suitable for winter activities.
In summer, the valleys’ relative coolness attracts hikers and nature lovers.

Culturally, these mountains both separate and connect two peoples: the Béarnais and the Basques.
The Béarnais valleys, historically centered on pastoralism, have preserved a rural way of life, based on transhumance, cheese-making (notably Ossau-Iraty), and living Occitan traditions.
In the Basque massifs, such as La Rhune, Arbailles or Ursuya, the mountains are gentler but deeply rooted in Basque culture.
Dances, music, polyphonic singing (bertsulari), and the Euskara language all contribute to the strong identity of these areas.

Historically, these mountains were long a natural barrier but also a place of passage:
Mountain passes like Somport or Pourtalet served as trade and military routes, used since antiquity.
For centuries, they were also a natural refuge: for Protestants fleeing religious persecution, for smugglers, and more recently for Resistance fighters during World War II or Spanish refugees after the civil war.

The built heritage of these mountains is remarkable: Romanesque churches, ancient bridges, high-altitude shepherd huts, and typical stone villages, sometimes perched on mountain slopes.
The estives—high-altitude summer pastures—are still active and reflect an ancestral lifestyle that endures.

In terms of tourism and recreation, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques offer a wide range of activities:
• Hiking: the GR10 trail, the Way of Saint James, or circuits around the Pic d’Anie are highly popular.
• Winter sports: the Gourette ski resort in the Ossau Valley and La Pierre Saint-Martin in the Barétous Valley offer alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
• Thermalism: villages like Eaux-Bonnes and Eaux-Chaudes benefit from the hot springs of the Pyrenees’ depths.

The Basque mountains, lower and softer than the high Béarnais peaks, offer a unique charm: green hills, dense forests, and panoramic views of the ocean from the ridgelines.
La Rhune, an iconic peak reaching 905 meters, is accessible via a cogwheel train dating back to 1924, offering a stunning view over the Basque coast and the Pyrenees.

The Ossau Valley is one of the three major Béarnais valleys in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, alongside Aspe and Barétous.
It stretches about 50 kilometers, from the village of Rébénacq (south of Pau) to the Spanish border at the Pourtalet Pass, passing through Laruns, its main town.
A truly majestic cleft in the Pyrenean massif, the Ossau Valley is traversed by the Gave d’Ossau, a powerful torrent flowing from glacial heights to feed the Gave de Pau.

Surrounded by steep peaks and deep forests, the valley offers a spectacular landscape dominated by the mythical Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Affectionately nicknamed “Jean-Pierre” by locals, this volcanic peak standing at 2,884 meters is one of the most iconic summits of the entire Pyrenean range.
It is visible from many points in the valley and serves as both a geographic landmark and an identity symbol.

Climatically, the Ossau Valley is influenced by a dual pattern:
• At the valley entrance, a mild and humid oceanic foothill climate prevails.
• Higher up, the climate becomes more mountainous, with snowy winters, shorter summers, and great temperature variability.

The valley is home to many typical Béarnais villages, the most well-known being:
• Arudy, the gateway to the valley, known for its marble quarries and traditional houses.
• Louvie-Juzon, at the confluence of the Gave d’Ossau and Gave d’Arudy.
• Laruns, the administrative and economic center of the upper valley, with its fairs, market, and lively events.
• And higher still, Eaux-Bonnes, Gourette, Bious-Artigues, and Gabas, serving as access points to summits and high-altitude lakes.

Historically, the Ossau Valley has always been a place of passage and exchange:
The Pourtalet Pass, at 1,794 meters in altitude, enabled trade with Aragon as early as the Middle Ages.
Mules carried salt, cheese, wheat, and even iron between the two sides of the Pyrenees.
Cross-border pastoralism is a millennia-old tradition that remains very much alive in the valley.

The cultural and pastoral heritage is extremely rich:
• Many “cayolars” (high-altitude shepherd huts) are still used for summer transhumance.
• Ossau-Iraty cheese, made from sheep’s milk, is produced artisanally in the valley.
• Pastoral festivals, such as the transhumance celebration in Laruns or cheese fairs, attract large crowds every year.

From an environmental point of view, the Ossau Valley is a preserved natural gem.
• The Pyrenees National Park features some of its most beautiful landscapes here, with beech and fir forests, crystal-clear torrents, and glacial lakes like Ayous, Isabe, or Bious-Artigues.
• Remarkable wildlife can be seen here: isards, marmots, griffon vultures, bearded vultures, and sometimes even brown bears.

The Ossau Valley is also a premier destination for nature and mountain tourism:
• In summer, it is popular for hiking (GR10, Ayous lake circuit, Arrious pass trail…), climbing, mountain biking, and white-water sports.
• In winter, it welcomes ski enthusiasts at the Gourette resort and offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Brousset Valley.
• The Tour de France regularly passes through the Col d’Aubisque, one of the most challenging climbs of the race.

Finally, Béarnais culture runs deep through the valley:
• Gascon Occitan is still sometimes spoken, and traditional songs echo during local festivals.
• Mountain architecture, with its slate roofs, stone barns, and houses, gives the valley a visually harmonious character.
• Folk costumes, dances, and gastronomy (garbure stew, pastet, mountain honey) are integral parts of local life.

In summary, the Ossau Valley is an authentic, majestic, and vibrant territory, where mountains, traditions, and nature coexist in perfect harmony.
Whether one comes to hike, ski, recharge, or simply admire the landscape, this Pyrenean valley offers a timeless journey into the heart of Béarn.
The Pyrenean range in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a land of contrasts and harmony:
between high peaks and gentle hills, Béarnais culture and Basque identity, ancient traditions and modern tourist appeal.
A place both rugged and welcoming, preserved and lively, where the mountains have shaped landscapes, people, and their history for centuries.