Top activities with children in Béarn

Béarn, shaped by the Gave rivers, nestled between the Pyrenees and Navarre, is a land of character with a rich history. Beautiful villages, castles, rivers, and forests: the setting is perfect for all kinds of family activities. Sports, nature, culture – we offer something to satisfy all tastes, all ages, and all your desires!

Water slides and thrills

The weather's beautiful and warm! It's the perfect time to cool off and have fun at a water park. Fancy some watersports? Let's start our family vacation in the Pays de Nay region, on Lake Baudreix, at Ô Kiri. Giant slides, cable wakeboarding, water jumps, drop-ins, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking… That's the menu for a blast with the kids.

What if the boat made the sailor…? Freshwater, of course! In Oloron-Sainte-Marie, in the Pyrenean Valleys, at Aqua-Béarn you'll find what you're looking for: bumper boats, pedal boats, inner tubes… For a relaxing swim, the lagoon area is perfect. For a more adventurous option, try the rafting river.

Looking to mix things up? Head to the leisure parks in Béarn to swim with your family, paddle in a canoe or simply have a picnic by the water.

Emotions and tenderness with animals

• A visit to a farm is always a big hit with young children. But this time, the Bon Air farm will charm adults too. Four-horned sheep, miniature breeds… You'll be in for a series of surprises. Observing, petting, and feeding the animals, children will experience genuine moments of interaction.
•  Looking for a day trip? Head to Asson Zoo, between Lourdes and Pau, open year-round. This zoo in Béarn offers an educational and fun outing. Originally a botanical garden, it now houses animals from Asia, America, Africa, and Australia, spread across six enclosures tailored to each species. It's the perfect opportunity to observe wildlife from around the world with children.
• Closer to Pau, in Lescar, Exotic Parc awaits you opposite Lac des Carolins. This animal park, open year-round and just 10 minutes from Pau, offers the chance to get up close to exotic animals in a pleasant setting. Some of these animals have been rescued or seized, and the visit raises awareness of biodiversity for both children and adults. Its manageable size makes it an ideal outing with young children. Read our report on Exotic Parc.
• Need to recharge your batteries in contact with animals? Le Paradis Perdu welcomes you to its wooden chalets, within an unusual park populated by wild animals.

Trampolines, virtual reality and family games at Jump Academy

When rain arrives during the holidays, head to Jump Academy in the Quartier Libre shopping center in Lescar, just a few minutes from Pau. This 2,500 m² indoor leisure park delights both children and parents, and it's open all year round.

On the agenda:

• A trampoline park with a giant foam pit for jumping, bouncing and working on balance and coordination;
• A Mega Ramp with thrills suitable for all ages;
• A Ninja course that puts agility and teamwork to the test.
• The youngest children (from 3 years old) have their own safe space, Play Kids, with soft and colorful structures.
• From the age of 8, children can also embark on virtual reality adventures, with complete freedom of movement.

On the practical side, La Cantoche offers on-site dining between sessions, with simple dishes suitable for both children and adults. Jump Academy also offers all-inclusive birthday packages for celebrating a child's birthday in the Béarn region.

Wonder in the Caves

For an immersive experience, put on your caving gear and explore the Verna cave in the Pierre Saint-Martin massif. You'll enter one of the largest underground chambers in the world, a spectacular setting that impresses young and old alike.

Adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and other concretions, the Las Güixas caves offer a dazzling spectacle that is well worth crossing the border. A wonderful outing to combine with the Bétharram Caves to compare these two subterranean worlds with children.

Whichever cave you choose, remember to bring a jacket, as it is cool even in the middle of summer, and good shoes with grippy soles.

Verna Cave

Climbing and dizzying ascent

A bit of sport to gain some altitude, and for comfort, a break with a view of the Pyrenean valleys, is that tempting?

• Head to the Suspended Forest, a treetop adventure park located in Eaux-Bonnes, in the Gourzy beech forest. Walkways, rope bridges and zip lines follow one another in the heart of nature, for thrills to share with the family.
• For a change of pace, head to the area around Pau and the Jurançon vineyards, to a forest of centuries-old oak trees : Les Vert-Tiges. This managed forest on the outskirts of the city is ideal for a family outing near Pau.
• In Lacq, between Orthez and Pau, Lacq Aventure is the perfect place to spend a full day. On the program: picnics, treetop adventure courses with numerous zip lines, original games to discover several meters above the ground, mini-golf, evening entertainment…

From the youngest children to teenagers, everyone will find something to enjoy, and adults will have fun too!

Castles, riddles and treasure hunts for the family

The history of Béarn can also be told through play! Two castles offer the opportunity to experience it as a family, through game trails designed for both children and parents.

The Castle of Riddles in Laàs, a treasure hunt in the heart of nature

In Laàs, about an hour from Pau, the Château des Énigmes (Castle of Riddles) invites you to follow the trail of Willy, a young apprentice wizard tasked with retrieving his magic grimoire from the clutches of a dragon. Spread across the 12 hectares of the Château de Laàs park, the course lasts approximately 3 hours and combines riddles, problem-solving, and agility. Among fairies and fantastical creatures, young and old alike progress together, each at their own pace.

Children love the bamboo maze, the zip line, and the barefoot path, while parents quickly get caught up in the puzzles. Once you've completed the course, head to the final room to check your answers and try to solve the big mystery.

You can then extend your day at the Laàs Castle Museum, have a picnic in the shade of the park, or lunch at the Bistrot du Château. The game is available in French, English, and Spanish, and the site is open from Easter to All Saints' Day.

Montaner Castle, a medieval adventure in the footsteps of Gaston Fébus

Between Béarn and the Hautes-Pyrénées, less than an hour from Pau, Tarbes, and Lourdes, the Château de Montaner transforms its visit into a medieval treasure hunt. Families wander through meadows, forest, the main courtyard, and part of the keep, taking on challenges both outdoors and within the castle itself. Along the way, they discover life in the Middle Ages and learn about the Béarnese prince Gaston Fébus.

In July and August, medieval entertainment enhances the day: knightly combat, archery, axe throwing, singing, and dancing. You can also extend your visit with a guided tour of the keep. A spiral staircase leads up to the rooftop terrace, which offers breathtaking views of the Pyrenees mountain range.

Terra Aventura, the treasure hunt of Béarn

Another way to explore Béarn as a family is with Terra Aventura, the treasure hunt of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Equipped with a smartphone, children set off in search of the " Poï'z " hidden along a route, for a fun and educational walk. Béarn boasts several routes, in Morlaàs, Lembeye, and Morlanne, near a medieval castle.

Immersion in nature

We invite you to explore a truly unique park. Seven hectares of natural spaces that are home to numerous mountain species, respecting their wild nature, including the most famous, the brown bear: this is Parc'Ours. A trail, with a treasure hunt theme, that allows you to better understand the local wildlife and much more!

Plenty of other ideas galore

• Enjoy an active holiday in Béarn : water sports, cycling, hiking for all levels, from the greenway to climbing the Pic d'Escurets, or even a Pyrenean horseback ride … You have no shortage of choices! The Pyrenees National Park even hosts the first mountain range cycle route, starting from Lestelle-Bétharram to Baliros, over 25 km.
• Canyoning enthusiasts, you'll love diving alongside Ossau de l'Eau or Expérience Canyon in Laruns ! Adrenaline and thrills await, so get ready!
• For lovers of old stones, a visit to the most beautiful villages of Béarn will delight all ages: Salies-de-Béarn, "the Venice of Béarn", or Oloron-Sainte-Marie, the oldest town in Béarn, and many others…
• Or another curiosity: the enclaves of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

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