Weekend getaway 20 minutes from Pau

Fancy a weekend getaway just a few dozen minutes from Pau ? The Béarnaise countryside and vineyards are beckoning you at this " almost " beginning of spring. If the weather is getting milder and you've already enjoyed the slopes, do you want to start smelling the scent of flowers and the sweetness of the returning sunny days ? I invite you for a short weekend near Lembeye. We'll drop off our suitcases there and take a leisurely stroll around the surrounding area.

Lembeye and Vic-Bilh

Set down your suitcases in Lembeye, to take advantage of the interesting location of this village. You are in Vic-Bilh, an area that we have presented to you for its many tourist and natural attractions. Castles, museums, beautiful nature and hikes, there is also a local map of mountain biking and hiking trails which is available at the tourist office of the town with very detailed topoguides. 275kms of marked trails await you, it is a paradise for lovers of walking.

I stop at the Restaurant de la Tour, which is, as its name suggests, a delicious restaurant that also offers superb guest rooms. A very good idea if you are an early bird like me and you like to eat in the evening near your accommodation, here it is all in one ;) I let you appreciate the beauty of the room as well as the fantastic allure of my Pavlova with red fruits.

Discovering Morlaàs

The next day, let's explore Morlaàs, about fifteen minutes away, a rural town with the Pyrenees in the background, watered by many small streams. It is the ancient capital of Béarn, did you know that this is where money was minted from the 4th century until 1690? The "Sol Morlan". Today, Morlàas is a well-situated town, lively from spring onwards. Its cultural and religious heritage is interesting and it is on the Way of St. James (the Arles Way). Take a stroll to see the town's beautiful houses, with cob walls and half-timbering, a testament to its former prestige.

• The farmers' market is held every Saturday morning in Morlaàs, on Place de la Hourquie.
• Lovers of waterside walks will be delighted to head to Lac du Gabas. On sunny days, when the sky is clear, it is very beautiful and the Pyrenees mountain range is reflected in the lake.
• Above the town, there is the Chemin des Crêtes, a 10km walking trail which passes through the village and the Romanesque church of Sainte Foy (admire its magnificent portal decorated with sculptures), then you climb the hillside to appreciate the view, breathe and admire!

Do you like hiking? The Pays de Morlàas Tourist Office has set up 13 hiking-drawing stations. These are easels in the middle of nature, with technical advice to help you sketch what you see. It could be a beautiful landscape, a heritage element, the fauna or the flora. It's an original way to appreciate the nature around you, while discovering a new activity. The Tourist Office has also provided a small bag with a sketchbook , basic equipment and the map of the stations, on sale for €10. Drawing has meditative functions, which, combined with walking, ensure you a very pleasant moment of relaxation...

Would you like to stay directly in Morlaàs? The Hôtel Restaurant Le Bourgneuf welcomes you with 12 rooms in a family atmosphere. A fine dining experience also awaits you for meals or half-board.

• North of Morlaàs, lovers of farmhouse cheese can visit the Ferme Fromages l'Entre-Deux in Barinque. A real cheese dairy, with tommes and tommettes made from raw cow's milk, made according to medieval recipes. You can visit the farm (call ahead) and also take home batches of cheese... Mmm, some are flavored with herbs and mild spices...

Lescar

From Morlaàs, take the opportunity to visit the ancient town of Lescar. Traces of civilizations dating back to 2500 BC have been discovered there. In the 12th century, and because it is located on the Way of St. James, Lescar, which had already been a bishopric since the 6th century, was endowed with a Romanesque cathedral (Notre Dame with its sculpted capitals and mosaics) and an episcopal palace . We then see the town develop around these two buildings. Take a walk to see the remains of the ramparts, the gates and the presbytery tower. The Tourist Office also offers a guide with an urban walk retracing the town's main points of interest. A second, more " natural " 7km walking route exists with yellow markings: Cité au Naturel.

• Fancy a stroll in a pleasant green space for a picnic? Head to Lac des Carolins!
  
  
• In Lescar, the market is held on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings. If you're hungry, I recommend a break at the foot of the ramparts to enjoy modern Béarnaise cuisine made with seasonal produce at the Arraditz restaurant (which means " root " in Béarnais).
  

• Is it raining? Take the kids to Royal Kids. Are they too old for the slides? Maybe they'd prefer to go karting at the Berdery circuit?

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