4 good reasons to go on holiday in the Vic Bilh ,a unique territory

Have you heard of the Vic-Bilh? The vineyards of Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic- Bilh...? This sunny region, in the North-east of Béarn, in the departement of the Pyrénées Atlantiques is at the border of the Hautes Pyrénées, Gers and very close to Les Landes. It is the perfect location for holidays! In the heart of the vineyards of Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, you will not get bored. I spent few days there and came back with 4 good reasons to go!

The Vic-Bilh, a pearl to be discovered

There are some destinations that we hear about all the time, that we all know: sea, mountains... They are crowded in summer and you have had enough; you are looking for originality, novelty, quality, variety and also a good value holiday (you may as well!) with your family or with your partner. You like visiting and discovering beautiful tourist sites, but also nature and good food...Drinking a grenadine syrup or a delicious glass of Madiran at the terrace of a cafe, in a beautiful and charming village... You want to do some sport, you always have your bikes and your hiking shoes? Do you like horse riding? Fishing? Or maybe you prefer the relaxing and zen atmosphere in the shadow of a tree and facing the vines, or near the swimming pool of a gîte? Do you like to meet with generous friendly and open-minded local people, do you want to discover the local specialities and meet with the producers?

What are you waiting for to go to Vic-Bilh?

Are you coming with me to Vic-Bilh?

The beauty of Vic-Bilh, in all seasons

1-) I am going to Vic-Bihl to discover the vineyards of Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl.

Ahhhhh the wine ... The wine tourism is a treasure which is combination of the discovery of nature, landscapes and knowledgeable wine producers. Here, we live through the vines. All through the 4 seasons, the wine makers work with their grape variety, pamper them, groom and prepare them for the vine to produce this generous wine. This winegrowing region is attractive for many reasons:

• The landscapes are fabulous! Look at these endlessly sunny slopes, well-pruned vine rows, or at times dense or wild. 
• Wine tourism is a developing activity. Walks through the vines, landscapes reading, rural walks, visit the cellars...
• Tastings: In Vic-Bilh, there is something for everybody, the winemakers offer products with or without alcohol, like this delicious grape juice that I tasted (at 2pm, you don’t always feel like tasting all the products in the cellar!). The tastings are often accompanied of very tasty products such as the foie-gras, for the gourmets ...
• Vines, also mean other cultures, orchards and market gardening, so in Vic-Bilh there are a lot of treasures to be discovered from small producers.

The vineyards, with the Pyrenees Mountains in the background

Visit the vineyards of the Vic-Bilh!

Conviviality during wine tastings

The Madiran is the red wine of the region, it is made mainly with Tannat, a characteristicaly generous and fruity grape. The white appellation (which is from the same geographical area) is the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh (therefore there is no White Madiran!) and is defined by full-bodied and mellow wines, but also some dry ones. There are 1,700 ha (4,200 acres) of vines in the Vic-Bilh alone! There is also the Béarn and Comté Tolosan, two IGP which provide 3 varieties of quality wine that should also be also tested!

Red or white, the wines are always generous!

The beauty of the winegrowing regions

2-) I discover the picturesque heritage of the Vic-Bilh

Ohhhhh the beautiful church! Ohhhh the elegant castle! And this French style garden! Have you visited this picturesque museum? The grain mill? And this Béarn style house with its flowered facade? In the bastide of Garlin, Lembeye, but also Conchez-de-Béarn, Moncaup and the many small villages scattered in the hills, you will be amazed and appreciate the quiet setting and the sound of cicadas... The small vernacular heritage, the roman vestiges are awaiting us. Our first stop was the Vic-Bilh’s Tourist Office, which is well prepared to welcome visitors with 6 themed trails available to help you find your way and discover all the treasures around. With a map, a welcoming guide and marked paths, you are well guided!

The Château de Marascaàs

Exceptional Collections in the Château!

The Musée des Vieux Outils (The Old Tools Museum)

Béarn style house in Conchez-de-Béarn

Garlin and the Château de Hiton

3-) I practice some outdoors sports and fun activities

The Vic-Bilh is without doubt a family destination (I will be back with my family!). The geography is perfect for sports: there are many marked hiking paths (15 circuits over 275 km, who said "I have sore feet"?) including 7 which can be done by mountain bike and two by horses. I visited Vic Bihl in summer, but all year, the Vic- Bilh is welcoming and colourful: the vines set the tone and during your peregrinations there is a great chance you will walk amongst them. Bright green during spring, they become light green, yellow and finally orange in autumn. In winter, the landscape is unobstructed and luminous.

Mountain biking in the landscapes of the Vic-Bilh

Mountain biking on the paths

Hiking, Fishing ... At the lake of Aydie

Hiking in the vines

Horse riding in the paths of the Vic-Bilh

Hiking in the fountains trail of Moncaup

By bike, the paths are shady and sections of roads or paths can be steep, why not rent an electric bike? The fishermen, like the one we met at the beautiful Lake of Aydie, are delighted by the Vic-Bilh, which includes fishing trails and no less than 8 lakes. The other small type of fishes...your kids, can bath in summer in the municipal swimming pools of Garlin and Arrosès, or in of the many swimming pools located in the gîtes.

4-) I discover the gastronomy of Vic-Bihl and I brought back lots of delicious souvenirs!

Here I am, my arms full of victual/foods to bring back to my family and friends. It is always the same when I visit local producers, I get lots of regional specialties! If you are like me, you will like the Vic-Bilh: winemakers, producers of charcuterie, duck and geese products, snails and even a mill to buy some fresh flour! The southwest gastronomy is fully able to express itself in this territory. 

The beautiful Restaurant de la Tour in Lembeye

Béarn Gastronomy

Exceptional Desserts

I really appreciated my gourmet escapades at the restaurant with my friends, like at the Restaurant de la Tour in Lembeye, where I ate the biggest Pavlova of my whole life. Ok, I agree, it is not part of the southwest cuisine... There was also some duck magret and delicious squabs cooked in foie-gras, yummmmm... All of this, accompanied (with moderation) of course by a Pacherenc of Vic-Bilh ! The gourmet plates are equalled only by the kindness of the restaurateurs. Children are welcome, the adults are well advised and the prices are really good. The Vic-Bilh is an interesting family destination and a reasonably priced holiday budget. We enjoyed the beautiful attractions and we ate very well.

Yummy Snails!

The Béarn charcuterie

Futher informations

• Visit the Tourist Office website and contact them directly by phone to benefit from their great knowledge and advice on the region.
• Visit the Guide Béarn Pyrénées and check the region section
• Visit the Guide Béarn Pyrénées and check the Vic-Bilh Tourist Office

I am certain that you would like now to discover the Vic-Bihl! Check our accommodation, entertainment and restaurants sections, and chat with see on our facebook page! “Bon voyage”!