Eaux-Bonnes

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Travel Guide > Towns > Aquitaine > Pyrénées-Atlantiques > Eaux-Bonnes

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION		CLOSEST TOWNS
Town	Eaux-Bonnes	Béost at 2.9 km
Insee code	64204	Louvie-Soubiron at 3.3 km
Postcode	64440	Laruns at 3.3 km
Latitude	42.9747200	Aste-Béon at 5.7 km
Longitude	-0.3894230	Gère-Bélesten at 6.7 km
Altitude	From 520 to 2619 meters	Arbéost at 8.8 km
Surface	38.52 km²	Bielle at 9.6 km
Population	425 inhabitants	Bilhères at 10.5 km
Density	11 inhabitants/km²	Castet at 10.8 km
National label		Ferrières at 11 km
Chief town	Pau (at 42 km, 53 min)	Louvie-Juzon at 12.7 km
Department	Pyrénées-Atlantiques	Aydius at 12.8 km
Region	Aquitaine	Search another town

LOCATION

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TOWN PRESENTATION

On the road from the Aubisque, at the foot of the peak of Ger, a forest of beech trees, over the river's Valentine Eaux-Bonnes (750 m) provides access to stunning panoramic views and magnificent from the circus intimate Gourette to 1400 m (the ski resort meeting the requirements of environmental standard ISO 14001) with peaks rising to 2600 m.
In spring, Gourette gives way to green pastures frequented by flocks of sheep and cows. The first heats are occasionally away from trails, observe the marmot, the true sentinel sites. It is also possible for the patient walking a glimpse of the famous but rare grouse. During the summer, the mountains green Eaux-Bonnes proudly bears his name while above, the edelweiss and iris fields emerge here and there, succeeding the spring daffodils. Finally, in the fall season when the crocuses bloom, the beech forest of Gourzy then makes the joy of the pickers.
The waters of Eaux-Bonnes:

Waters benefactors from François 1st. Termed "arquebuses" sulphurous waters are deemed to Eaux-Bonnes from the 16th century, when the Béarn, wounded at the battle of Pavia (1525) by arquebuses, came to heal their wounds. Later, many doctors also participated to the reputation of Eaux-Bonnes. Theophilus of Bordeu publishes books and a thesis promoting the benefits of the station, Dr. Darralde, spa doctor, heal the Empress Eugenie while Dr. Valery Meunier, putting on the station, it will bring personalities: Louis Barthou, the politician, Francis Plante, the musician, Francois Coppee, the poet ... but, it is common for the coming (1851/1870) of the Empress Eugenie Maria de Montijo de Guzman, Countess of Teba (future wife of Napoleon III) give the station any notoriety.
The waters are said to Eaux-Bonnes sulfur, sodium chloride, calcium sulphate with a predominance of chloride and sodium and high in silica and sulfur. Its properties give it the virtues healing, antiseptic, plasticizers, vasodilatory, analgesic and sedative. Located on the very site of the sources referred to as "old" and "cold". Ent facilities were refurbished and modernized, is practiced sonic spray, nosing, nasal irrigations. The rheumatology department is booming. We practice traditional and innovative care: whirlpool baths, jet showers, underwater massage, local application of a poultice of mud ...

Gourette:

In 1903 will be tried the first pair of skis in the history of the Pyrenees. Five years later at the instigation of the French Alpine Club will be held in Pau and Eaux-Bonnes Gourette, the first international competition of the Pyrenees ski 15 and February 16, 1908, including long-distance races, bobsleigh and jump springboard.
Swiss, Norwegian, Italian will compete in the presence of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. The competition as those who will follow until 1914 served to popularize skiing and mountain to convert to this new sport from the north. The first hotels are springing up in the 30s, in 1935 Gourette will be the first ski lift in the Pyrenees: The snowball.
It was not until 1957 that the station wakes up really. 60 years to today Gourette has continued to grow, change to provide greater comfort, security.
Located south on the slopes, with a capacity of 7000 beds, ideal for family skiing, because of its village atmosphere and all the services it provides. Station more nature for the layout of the tracks to the modern facilities, everything has been redesigned so that each is the heart of a mountain environment quality. Accommodation on site, a day nursery for children from 5 months to 5 years, local shops, a spa with fitness (open during school holidays and January), a cinema, a discotheque.
Certified since 2003 as the ski area this year has been meeting the requirements of environmental standard ISO 14001 (energy saving, use of biodegradable oils, waste management, reduction and electicity consumption fuel, noise reduction in the production of artificial snow, monitoring water quality returned to the natural environment, site cleanup day ...).
90 hectares of skiing for all - More than 1000 m in altitude 1350/2450 m - 30 km of tracks on 3 levels of skiing - a black run - 14 red - blue 9 - 4 green. Fluidity of movement guaranteed by art facilities, 150 snow cannons provide snowmaking on 60% of skiable terrain. A beginners' area of 7 hectares fully booked for beginners, available in 3 minutes per télécabinne, with 3 mats and a chairlift. A snowpark, a boadercross, a toboggan run.

Country of pastoral traditions and legends, rich in anecdotes of past and present, Eaux-Bonnes Gourette, authentic villages, are to be discovered in the company of storytellers from the valley.

The village of Plover, a unique feature in Europe: In the 1920s, the shepherds used to Aas in Valley Valentin as the whistling language to correspond with each other at distances of more than 2 miles away. The story goes that the invention of this language utility returns a shepherdess who called for help, whistling, to save a heifer of his flock. Long been replaced by other means of communication, language is deeply rooted in the minds of people. A bronze pillar representing the Tundra recall now this unique in Europe (also listed language in Turkey).
Meet the Shepherd: A walk initiatory original and unexpected. A walk of about an hour leads the visitor on the summer pastures of Gourette him to discover the environment of the mountain and, of course, its fauna and flora. This course takes place in groups at a rate of observation of nature, accompanied by a "storyteller countries' passion for meteorology explaining the formation of clouds, winds, changes in the weather in the mountains ... rhododendrons, blueberries for setting here, licorice and wild thyme plants, above. The final climb is done at last, the bells of the sheep and the barking of the shepherd dog warning of the arrival of visitors. In cuyala, stone shepherd's hut, anecdotes pastoral fuse while you taste the famous cheese Ossau after visiting the room of ripening.

History, folklore and, of course, culinary traditions. The Ossau valley has many villages rich in history, customs and folk festivals but also culinary traditions: The sheep's milk cheese with the name "Ossau," the dried ham on the heights of Gourette to over 1400 m altitude, artisanal honey ... it's also here that you can taste the famous cabbage soup, boiled chicken, foie gras ... with the famous soft jurançon with which Henry was baptized.

SIGHTSEEING

Relax in the thermal spa: Aquadétente space (swimming pools, sauna, steam room), wellness and beauty.
Architecture and Heritage:

If the first building Eaux-Bonnes referring to the spa dates back to the 16th century, the current facility dates from 1830 and the church and near the government house (now City Hall).
In the second half of the 19th century, the heyday of the station, the facades of buildings are decorated in a style "Second Empire" (ref. A haussmann) with arched openings and brick red ... The mansions of the Rue Castellane and Hotel des Princes then set themselves up. In 1868, a hundred houses are then identified. It is also the period when many personalities stay: The Empress Eugenie, the Duchess of Angouleme, the Duchesse de Berry, Rosa Bonheur, Delacroix, Sarah Bernhard ...
Picturesque hamlets to discover ... and Aas Assouste watching the Ossau valley from the top of their slate roofs. In the past, mainly inhabited by shepherds and farmers, it is the oldest settlements of the city of Eaux-Bonnes. If Aas has the distinction of having invented the particular language of whistling, Assouste (which takes its name from "lous Oussale" meaning the bear) boasts an interesting architecture: a Romanesque chapel, one of oldest in the valley with a sculpted capital, a restored 16th century manor house, laundry renovated and old houses with typical Béarn door lintels characteristics and frequent presence of gray marble-black or pink marble Arudy Biella.
Trail of Eaux-Bonnes trees: a rich architectural heritage dating from the Second Empire, which had accompanied the creation in 1861 of an English garden, the common Eaux-Bonnes intended to highlight its natural heritage and enable discovery of the garden and darralde Drive horizontally in a fun way through an identification and a document produced in collaboration with the Office of the National Forest.

Activities were:

Mountains soft peaks coexist with the adventure of outdoor activities targeted at both young and old, athletes as followers of idleness: family walks on marked trails, climbing mountain passes for seasoned walkers, introduction to climbing, fishing in lakes, mountain biking, fitness ...
Tour through the trees in a thick forest with multiple trees (beech, fir, spruce ...) path through the trees safely and independently. According to age and envy, of course from 4 to 14 m above the ground. Many and varied facilities: brackets, nets, zip lines over 200 meters ...
Via ferrata: sensations guaranteed! Path suspended, equipped with ladders, out of the wall for 1-3 hours of climbing with an elevation of 150 m. Unique in the region.
Tyrolean giant: 200 m to / 180 m back.
Mountain biking, climbing initiation site: mountain biking trails designed with variations depending on the levels of downhill ski slopes (600 m elevation), bouldering, and rock out with guide.
Spa Spa from Monday to Friday from 14h to 20h and from 15h to 20h Saturday: Rest and relaxation (swimming pool, sauna, hydrotherapy ...) and appropriate care: jet showers, massages with scented oils ...
Chairlift Gourette 1350/2000 m open in July and August.
Crib 5 months to 3 years, Leisure Centre 4 to 12 years.
Exhibition artisanal honey, shop furniture and wooden toys.

Winter activities:

28 runs - 15 lifts - Boardercross, 2 snow parks, beginners' area, toboggan run.
The gondola Bézou accessible to pedestrians to see the panorama, snowshoeing circuit.
Racquets marked trail - snowshoeing walks together.
Guided tour of the station every Monday, followed by the welcome drink, presentation of events and activities of the week, meeting with a shepherd.
Health Course - Tennis - Fronton.
Entertainment room - Disco - Cinema.
Spa Spa from Monday to Friday from 14h to 20h and from 15h to 20h Saturday: Bath in the pool, sauna. Spa shuttle / station.

Detailed information
Information points	Tourist Office of Eaux-Bonnes
Leisure centres	Ski Resort Gourette
Natural sites	Wood of Assouste

EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

End January: Telemark: Weekend initiation and international gathering.
End of March: Pyrénéa triathlon, Pau - Gourette, 18km walk, 35km bike and ski touring in Cinto Pass (elevation 1,000 m).
Early April: "gourettoise" race ski mountaineering, with an elevation of 1000 m to 1600 m with two options, the term elite and the mass term.
In June:

Race Walking Arudy / Eaux-Bonnes (half marathon).
Feast of St. John.

July:

July 13: Concert - Fireworks and music.
July 14: Run for the Green Mountain: Ascension traditional 400m ascent made in 20 minutes! Dance pavilion and Toro de Fuego.

In August:

Early August: Feast of the village of Aas: Folk songs and Val d'Ossau, cookouts, games ...
Festival of Flowers: Flower parade, musical entertainment, games for children, market ...
August 15: Traditional Festival in Gourette: Games, dancing and toro de fuego.

Early September: Round Sanctus - trail hiking in the mountains: Two tests, one 17 km with an elevation of 1400 m. And a course of 6.3 km with an elevation of 440 m.

ATTRACTIONS, LEISURES AND ACTIVITES AROUND

Tours around:

Natural sites of Aubisque, circus Anéou, the plateau of Benue.
The cliff to the vultures, the little train of Artouste, Lake Castet, Spain, the Château de Pau, Lourdes ...

Activities:

Canyoning, rafting, caving, kayaking, paragliding, horse trekking.

PHOTOS

Eaux-Bonnes view from Aas

View Gourette summer

Aas - Belltower

Assouste - The Chapel

Gourette - View from the road to the Aubisque

Gourette - MTB

Gourette - Chairlift Cutch

Gourette - Climbing in Sarrière

Hiking to Gourette

Fishing

Via ferrata

Route child in the trees

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WEATHER

Sunday 12 February
Day	Night
Min. -7°C - Max. 1°C

Monday 13 February
Day	Night
Min. -3°C - Max. 3°C

Tuesday 14 February
Day	Night
Min. -2°C - Max. 4°C

RESTAURANTS

	Sarl grand hotel de france la bergerie Pierrefitte-Nestalas
	The retaurant the sheep, traditional cuisine, grilled and gril. Cadre convivial. Aux beautiful day service on the terrace overlooking the Pyrenees.
	Located 26 km from Eaux-Bonnes	From 10 € to 25 € per person

All restaurants around Eaux-Bonnes

BEDS & BREAKFASTS

Mireille Gourbin

9.1

Louvie-Juzon

Traditional chalet in the Vallée d'Ossau on the edge of the village of Louvie Juzon. Perfect location on the road leading to Castet for hiking and cycling, 30 minutes from ski resorts...

Located 11.9 km from Eaux-Bonnes

The traditional house Condorinette bigourdane dated from 1623 completely renovated and decorated with furniture of nature welcomes you all year in the beautiful Val d'Azun. You will...

Located 15.2 km from Eaux-Bonnes

65 € the double room

Chambres d'hotes palu

9.3

Asson

Our five rooms in the outbuildings of a farm béarnaise nineteenth century opened a gallery typical of the region, where you can admire the Pyrenees in all its splendor.

Located 18.4 km from Eaux-Bonnes

45 € the double room

All beds & breakfasts around Eaux-Bonnes

VACATION RENTALS

	Grange a louer Eaux-Bonnes
	Barn fully equipped and restaured with garden terrace with beautiful view on mountain area very quiet in the ossau valley near the village of eaux bonnes termal resort spa and ski station...
	Located in Eaux-Bonnes	From 390 € to 500 € per week

	Casa paulou Laruns
	At the heart of the valley of Ossau, renovated farmhouse in 5 bedrooms with private bathrooms, large lounge with fully equipped kitchen, lounge, tv etc... Ideal for large families and...
	Located 3.3 km from Eaux-Bonnes	1650 € per week

	Geteu Laruns
	Bright House and functional situated in a small hamlet in the Ossau valley 3 km from Laruns. Has an enclosed garden and a garage. A wide choice of rides for all levels available to...
	Located 3.3 km from Eaux-Bonnes	From 300 € to 450 € per week