The most beautiful markets of Béarn

It's no secret that Béarn is renowned for its landscapes, but also for its gastronomy. Between Orthez and Artouste, passing through Pau, numerous markets are held throughout the year showcasing Béarn specialties. Jurançon wine, garbure (a hearty vegetable and meat stew), or sheep's cheese —it's time to get up and head to the market, usually set up between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., just before lunchtime. Grab your basket, and we'll take you to discover the most beautiful markets in Béarn.

Our top 5 most beautiful markets in Béarn

1 - The market of Salies-de-Béarn

You can't go wrong, this is one of the most beautiful markets in the department, winner of the competition in 2021. Always lively and bustling, it takes over the Place du Bayaa on Thursdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm with stalls selling fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and other specialties. Come and stock up on local produce year-round at colorful and fragrant stalls that entice you with their quality and freshness. Salie-de-Béarn is the starting point for this gourmet stop near Orthez, in northern Béarn.

2 - The market of Sauveterre-de-Béarn

Our journey continues in Sauveterre-de-Béarn, where the market sets up in the Place Royale every Saturday morning. Local artisans and producers showcase regional products, promoting short supply chains and local specialties. Cheeses, wines, cured meats —all the region's delicacies are available at this market, renowned for its friendly atmosphere between producers and consumers. Feel free to stay for lunch; food is available on site.

3 - The Navarrenx market

The market in Navarrenx is practically ancient. Established in 1180, it has lost none of its charm and still attracts many tourists who come to visit one of the most beautiful villages in France. The days of large gatherings with the pig market, the livestock fair, the horse fair, and the poultry fair are long gone, but have given way to a lovely little market where mushrooms, local wines, cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables are showcased every Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

4 - The Billère market

We're getting closer to Pau with the Billère market, a gathering of local and organic producers who meet in Place Jules Gois every Saturday morning from 8 am to 1 pm. Meats, poultry, cheeses, breads, fruits, and vegetables are lovingly tended year-round by some thirty vendors who are passionate about their region. With its friendly atmosphere, lively entertainment, high-quality products, and fresh ingredients, the Billère market is perfect for discovering the specialties of Béarn.

The organic market takes place in Place François Mitterand on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

5 - The Nay market

South of Pau, the Nay market, with its 700-year history, is a delight for the taste buds. Under the arcades of the market hall or in the square, the Pyrenees come alive on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with a wide array of food products. Butchers, delicatessen owners, greengrocers, cheesemakers, and market gardeners —come and meet exceptional producers who will introduce you to their region from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take the opportunity to escape to the Pays de Nay where nature, history and heritage blend together for a getaway full of surprises.

Eyes sparkle with pleasure after wandering between these different markets of Béarn, filled with tantalizing smells and gourmet flavors.

The markets of the heart of Béarn and Béarn de Gaves

The tour of markets is far from over, despite this top 5 list of the most beautiful markets in Béarn. We suggest continuing this gastronomic journey with charming towns that offer lovely markets :

• Monein and its traditional market on Monday mornings from 8am to 12pm and on Friday evenings from 5pm to 8pm with local farmers and producers.
• Orthez is a town of traditions where the market has been held since the 14th century. Tuesday morning is the biggest gathering with food products, clothing and flowers while Saturday morning is devoted to local specialties.
• Mourenx sets up its market on Wednesday mornings from 8am to 1pm for the sale of local products.
• Artix comes alive every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with its farmers' market.
• Puyoo where local producers gather every Friday evening from May to September.
• Arthez-de-Béarn brings together around twenty exhibitors every Saturday morning at its market.

The markets of Pau and its surroundings

Pau is the city at the heart of Béarn, nestled between countryside and mountains. The Pyrenees make their presence felt in the markets, with regional specialties offered in the surrounding villages depending on the day and season.

• On Wednesdays, meet in Garlin (every other Wednesday), Lons and Gan for a morning spent enjoying conviviality and gastronomy with local businesses.
• On Thursday mornings, it's in Lembeye (Place Marcadieu) and in Morlanne from 4pm to 7pm that you should go there to enjoy stalls well stocked with fresh, quality products.
• On Friday, stroll through the Jurançon market and end your excursion with a glass of local wine.
• On Saturday, go and stock up on local products in Arzacq -Arraziguet, Lasseube, Serres-Castets or Montardon.
• On Sunday, head to Lescar and the Place de la Hourquie to discover the region's specialties.
• The rest of the week, the Pau market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to 3pm. The Morlaàs market is held every other Friday and on Saturday mornings.

The markets of the Pyrenean valleys

We are approaching the Spanish border to continue our gourmet getaway, where each day corresponds to a different market:

• On Tuesdays in the Upper Town and on Saturdays in the Lower Town, Mauléon sets up its market.
• On Thursdays, Bedous comes alive with local producers and artisans. You can also find a summer market on Sunday mornings during July and August.
• On Fridays, the Oloron market is a tradition, the busiest market in Haut-Béarn with 70 traders gathered all year round.
• Saturday in Laruns is market day for locals and tourists, who can also find the traders on Thursday at the night market in the summer.
• On Sundays, Etsaut (in summer) sets up a market of local products and specialties.

  
  

The markets of the Pays de Nay

South of Pau, the Pays de Nay still holds some lovely surprises with its joyful and attractive markets, filled with good smells and pretty colours.

• The Arudy market takes place on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, a gourmet program with a greengrocer, a cheesemonger, a market gardener, a butcher, a bread merchant and many other exhibitors.
• The Soumoulou market is held every two weeks, on Friday mornings, where some local producers treat you to regional specialties.
• The Pontacq market on Saturday morning offers local produce, displayed by local traders.

Specialties of Béarn

It's lovely to visit the markets, but what specialties should you look for? A rich and bountiful agricultural region, Béarn is renowned for its fine cuisine and delicious home-cooked meals. Here are a few typical examples to whet your appetite:

• The Foie gras, a regional specialty. Plain or flavored, it delights all palates.
• Charcuterie with country ham or Bayonne ham, and Béarnaise andouille, one of the oldest and most typical of Béarn.
• The meat includes Blonde du Béarn cow, Blonde d'Aquitaine or IGP Pyrenees lamb.

• Cheese, whether it is made from sheep or goat, is a Béarnaise specialty to be consumed without moderation.
  

• The wine, especially Jurançon, a sweet wine with a golden color that pairs well with the local cuisine.
• Pastries, where the Basque cake is a renowned specialty to end a meal

Garbure, chicken in a pot or wood pigeon, we could talk for hours about traditional recipes from Béarn.

What a journey! A tour of the markets and gastronomic specialties of Béarn is finished. You can now give free rein to your creativity to cook all the local products found in the most beautiful markets of Béarn.

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