Family nature holidays in the Béarn des Gaves

Looking for fun activities for a family nature holiday ? Béarn des Gaves is a region of mountains, valleys and rivers that offers an exceptional natural setting for many sports, games, walks and outdoor visits.

If you're looking to do group sports, enjoy leisure activities with your family, visit authentic Béarn villages, and stroll through magnificent natural landscapes... you'll love the Béarn des Gaves ! This region of Béarn is renowned for its unspoiled nature and offers unique activities to experience, creating a wealth of sensations, emotions, and memories to share with your family.

Cover photo: The pretty village of Sauveterre-de-Béarn.

Enjoy the water and have fun with the family on the Gaves of Béarn

Béarn is a land shaped by its Gaves (rivers). Whether you're a thrill-seeker in mountain torrents or prefer quiet relaxation by a small stream, the Béarn des Gaves is the ideal place to please the whole family.

If you'd like to enjoy a calmer, natural body of water, you'll find games for all ages at the water parks. Just a few kilometers from Béarn des Gaves, head to Aqua-Béarn in Oloron-Sainte-Marie or the Orthez-Biron Leisure Park.

Go hiking, cycling or horseback riding

The Béarn des Gaves region is full of hidden gems nestled in nature. To find hiking or cycling trails, consult the website of the "Béarn des Gaves" tourist office, which offers routes around Navarrenx, Salies-de-Béarn, and Sauveterre-de-Béarn. If we had to mention just one, the charming village of Salies-de-Béarn has transformed the old railway line into a greenway. At 16 km long, with well-distributed access points, it's a beautiful route suitable for both leisurely strolls and more challenging hikes.

Discover the beautiful villages of Béarn des Gaves

• Salies-de-Béarn, nicknamed the " Green Venice of Béarn," sits on the banks of the Saley River. There, you can admire the typical heritage along the river: mills, bridges, wash houses, and more. It also boasts a geological curiosity: a saltwater spring that allowed the town to develop a salt industry and thermal spas. Numerous monuments bear witness to this unique history, and you can enjoy some fascinating tours.

• Sauveterre-de-Béarn is a hilltop village overlooking the Gave d'Oloron river. Its strategic position was well exploited during the Middle Ages to defend Béarn, and medieval remains are still visible in the town. The view over the valley, traversed by the Gave, is well worth a few photographs.
• In the southern Béarn des Gaves region, Navarrenx is one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France." Its military heritage and fortifications are truly exceptional. This bastide town of ancient Navarre has a long and fascinating history to share. You can also enjoy a lovely walk there, admiring the town from atop its ramparts.

We hope we've given you some ideas for fun family outings. You'll surely find more locally, as the Béarn des Gaves region is full of surprises.

Did you like our article? Find more in our Top Experiences section.

Find us on the Guide Béarn Pyrénées Facebook page and also on Instagram @guidebearnpyrenees