Responsible tourism in Béarn

Béarn is a rural and authentic region. If you feel concerned by ecology, it is therefore important to be as respectful as possible during your holidays, in order to preserve these still wild territories. We will guide you to be an eco-responsible tourist in Béarn. To achieve this, we are going to give you our green tips and useful addresses, in terms of alternative accommodation, soft mobility and responsible purchasing.

Opening photo credit: Le Cirque de Lescun / Guide Béarn Pyrénées

Slow-tourism and Micro-tourism

To get you started, let's quickly talk about two concepts of ecological holidays that are on the rise: slow-tourism and micro-tourism.

Slow-tourism is an ecological awareness and an awakening of the senses, which allows you to disconnect from your daily life and connect to your environment during the holidays. Thus, you will have to slow down the pace of your days to take the time to appreciate the places, the people and the passing of time, quite simply!

Micro-tourism follows the news of recent years and has the basic principle of avoiding distant destinations. You will therefore go on vacation near your home, often for a shorter period. On the other hand, it is the experiential side that is put forward. Go less far to minimize your carbon footprint and save budget, in order to live real adventures, just as exotic as if you had gone to the other side of the world.

Alternative or labeled accommodation

Choosing accommodation with an eco -label guarantees that commitments in favor of respect for the environment are well respected by your hosts. These tourist accommodations must meet very strict criteria regarding the use of resources, waste management, supplies, etc.

However, you do not have to limit yourself to this type of rental to remain in an ecological ethic. All kinds of alternative housing are very ecological, without being labeled. They often have the advantage of being more unusual and of making you discover a different way of life.

Our selection of responsible housing:

• The peasant welcome in the meadows of the Ferme Serbielle
• The nests of Béarn
• The Ladybird Yurt
• Paradise Lost
• The Domaine de la Maraude, to recharge your batteries in the Saint-Griède Nature Reserve

“Soft mobility” to move around ecologically

Soft mobility simply means a greener way to get around. It encompasses all the ways of making a journey, from the simplest such as walking to the most technological such as metros and trams.

For local trips, favor walking. It's the simplest, most economical and the best for your health!

For slightly longer distances, with the family with older children or with friends, it is the bike that is the most fun.

Finally, for intercity travel, if you have young children with pushchairs or for people with reduced mobility, public transport is the most practical: bus, train, tram, etc.

The villages of Béarn, classified as “Green Stations”

The name "Station Verte" is a label that assures you that the villages you are going to visit implement an ecological approach and are respectful of the environment. They ensure the preservation of ecosystems, sort waste efficiently and engage in sustainable development projects. The green resorts of Béarn are:

• Arette
• Navarrenx, an architectural gem from Béarn

The Béarn natural parks

Whatever the classification, the award criteria are strict in terms of environmental protection. The territories classified as "Natural Park", "Natural Reserve" or "Natura 2000" are natural areas preserved for their specific biotope, with the fauna and flora that it shelters. They offer an exceptional setting for family outings:

• The Pyrenees National Nature Park covers the valleys of Aspe and Ossau.
• The Ossau Nature Reserve

Have fun while respecting the environment

You are on vacation, whether eco-responsible or not! You want to relax with fun activities. There are all kinds of leisure activities and nature outings that have no impact on the environment. Here are some ideas:

• For an awakening of the senses, ideal in the context of slow-tourism, go to Espace Ludopia for a day of unusual activities with the children in the Pyrenees!
• Asson Zoo: a space for family learning about felines, in a zoo on a human scale.
• Discover pastoralism and Béarnaise traditions during the Cheese Festival in Laruns, in October.
• Go rafting and canoeing in Béarn.
• Go canyoning in Béarn.
• The Artouste train: journey to the heights of the Pyrenees!

Farmers' markets in Béarn

To consume locally, go to local farmers' markets! This is the best way to find regional products and specialties from passionate farmers and farmers. Some markets are organic, lively, nocturnal... it's up to you to choose your atmosphere:

• The “savouriades” of Gelos
• Navarrenx farmers market
• The farmers market at the Ferme de la Motte

The local cuisine of Bearn restaurants

Eating seasonal, local and short-circuit products is the guarantee of taking care of yourself, paying attention to your health, while preserving the environment and promoting a local economy... In short, you become an actor in eco-tourism! We reveal to you our good addresses of restaurants, which highlight their know-how and Béarnaise traditions:

• The mas of aromas
• mustache ladies
• Brasserie bar L'Aragon

Wine tourism in Béarn

Wine tourism will give you the opportunity to get to know the Béarn region better. In the cellars, you will make great encounters with passionate winegrowers. You will learn the specificities of the wines of the region and you will enjoy tasty tastings.

• The domain of Crampilh – producers of Vic-Bilh
• Organic wines from Domaine Pichard
• Tinou organic estate

Promote local crafts

Do you want to bring back typical souvenirs from craftsmen's workshops or designer boutiques, symbols of local know-how, traditional products? Here is our selection of craftsmen from Béarn:

• Lartigue 1910, a living heritage company: traditional linen from Béarn
• The beret factory
• Planchot: cutting boards and butcher blocks

And for the Pyrenees:

• Goat cheese and Mohair from the Pyrenees: visit to Ferme Frady.
• The spit cake, a culinary specialty of the mountains (fr).

Photo credit © The beautiful Lartigue fabrics 1910

We hope to have made you want to visit Béarn responsibly and we wish you a good holiday!

Did you like our article? Find others on the Blog du Guide du Béarn. Find us on the Facebook page of the Guide du Béarn Pyrénées and also on Instagram @guidebearnpyrenees