What to do when it rains in Béarn?

Béarn is renowned for its outdoor sports and leisure activities: cycling, hiking, and water sports. But what to do when it rains ? You'll see that Béarn has plenty to offer, even in the rain. With its 1,000 years of history, its architectural, furniture, and religious heritage, its authentic culture, and its gastronomy, the region reveals itself in many facets. Between museums, restaurants, visits to tourist sites, introductory courses, and workshops, there's plenty to keep you occupied on rainy days, while exploring its landscapes and beautiful villages. We'll take you on a lively, rainy getaway to Béarn.

7 activities to do when it rains in Béarn

Satisfying your curiosity in the museums of Béarn

Even if the weather isn't cooperating, you can still discover the heart of Béarn. We invite you to exercise your mind, learn, and enrich your mind. History, traditions, ancient crafts, art… there's plenty to do in Béarn. Here's our " Top 5 Museums ":

• To learn about the history of the region, thanks to the emblematic figure of Henry IV : National Museum and grounds of Pau Castle.
• To understand life in the Aspe Valley : Ecomuseum of the Aspe Valley.
• To discover an original geological phenomenon in Béarn: Salines Museum Centre.
• Our favorite, a gourmet and cheeky museum : Francis Miot's Museum of Sweet Arts.
  
  

Enjoy local cuisine in a restaurant

Racking your brains makes you hungry! We suggest you take a gourmet break in one of the many restaurants in Béarn.

There are so many local products to try that you don't know where to start, here are our " 5 must-try local dishes ":

• For starters, trout or salmon from the Gaves rivers, traditionally smoked at Maison Barthouil, or foie gras from a farm producer ;
• For the main course, a chicken in a pot like Henri IV's or a garbure ;
• And to follow, a good Béarnais cheese.

Learn about oenology and visit the vineyards of Béarn

Béarn also boasts a wine-growing region, with excellent wines to enjoy, in moderation. It's the perfect place for a walk and some learning when it's raining.

• The most famous and oldest is Jurançon. Legend links it to Henry IV. It is a sweet, even liqueur-like white wine that can be enjoyed from aperitif to dessert.
• Madiran is also a renowned red wine that is associated with red meats and gourmet dishes from Béarn.
• Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is a traditionally sweet white wine, somewhere between Jurançon and Armagnac, it enhances sweet and savory dishes or desserts.
• Saint-Mont is a typically local wine, available in white, rosé and red.

Go on a shopping trip to Pau

When the sky is gray, Pau transforms into an ideal playground for shopping enthusiasts. Its pedestrian streets and arcades, such as Rue Serviez or Rue Montpensier, allow you to stroll from one boutique to another, alternating between sunny spells and sheltered breaks. The Halles de Pau (Pau Market Hall) is also a must-see for filling your basket with fresh produce and local specialties. There, you'll meet passionate producers who are happy to share their expert advice.

As for souvenirs, there's plenty to choose from to give as a gift or treat yourself: a Béarnese beret, Vert-Galant "coucougnettes" (a type of pastry), chili peppers, a bottle of Jurançon or Madiran wine, sheep's cheese, Pyrenees mohair… These local treasures will remind you of your rainy getaway long after you return. And if you feel like visiting the town's artisans' workshops, you'll leave with unique pieces, made just a stone's throw from home.

Marvel at the underground caves

To penetrate the bowels of the earth, to admire the jewels of stones and minerals, to discover the traces of our past… The Béarn mountains hold treasures well hidden beneath our feet.

• Near Lourdes and the charming fortified town of Lestelle-Betharram, you will find the Bétharram caves. You can follow, on foot, by boat and by little train, the river that has shaped them over millennia.
• Near Sainte-Engrâce, in Soule, a very immersive visit is offered in the Verna cave, the largest underground chamber in the world! You put yourself in the shoes of a speleologist to live a sensational experience.

We're taking out our umbrellas to explore the Most Beautiful Villages of Béarn

All these activities have surely already allowed you to explore its landscapes, stroll through its magnificent villages, admire its local crafts, and discover delicious regional products. To help you choose, here is our selection of five villages and their unique characteristics:

• A medieval town and a fortified castle: Morlanne ;
• On the roads to Santiago de Compostela: Sarrance ;
• A spa town: Salies-de-Béarn ;
• A village in the heart of a magnificent natural area: Lescun and its cirque;
• To discover the Jurançon vineyard: Lacommande.

Having fun with children indoors

When rain arrives during the holidays, it's difficult to keep energetic little ones occupied, as they're completely oblivious to the whims of the weather. Good news: the Béarn region is brimming with ideas to keep them active, laughing, and amazed, all while staying dry. Here are a few activities that are sure to delight them if the rain persists.

Let off steam in an indoor play park. Around Pau, spaces dedicated to children offer trampolines, inflatable structures, and play areas, both indoors and outdoors. Younger children can run, jump, and climb at their own pace, while their parents take a break.

Go and meet the farm animals. A visit to the farm is always a big hit with children, even under a grey sky. Several goat farms in Béarn open their doors: you can watch the goats being milked at the end of the day, discover how goat cheese is made, and learn about Pyrenean mohair, a soft and surprising fiber that little ones love to touch.

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