gastronomical delights

Béarnais gastronomy tells the story of the region, its history, and easily adapts to different tastes. In Béarn the tradition of ‘eating well’ and ‘living well’ is age-old. In fact it has been written in stone... in the stone of the portal to the Oloron-Ste-Marie cathedral dating from 1110/ 1120. In the 18th century, Paris considered that the pork from Béarn was the best in the kingdom. Salted or preserved meat has become the symbol of Béarnais cuisine where fine goose fat has always been preferred to oil.

To sit down at a table in a country inn is to anticipate the thousand and one pleasures that the cuisine from this area can offer you.

Begin with the ‘garbure’: a steaming hot soup either with preserved goose or ham.

To follow, a slice of country ham with some assorted cooked meats - specialities of the region - andouille, saucisson, black pudding, pâté and a little foie gras. Then the main dish that varies according to the season, for example: salmis de palombe (pigeon stew cooked with wine) magret aux cépes (duck breast cooked with cépe mushrooms), or confit (preserved meat) with corn beans. To finish your meal try some brebis, the local ewe’s milk cheese, munch on some ‘merveilles’ (small and light batter puffs) or a ‘pastis’ (aniseed cake).

Whether you choose to dine out or to cook for yourself on The Farmhouseís ëLa Cornueí cooker, a gastronomical delight should be guaranteed!

The Farmhouse’s ‘La Cornue’
cooker

Tuesdays - Arudy, Orthez, Salies-De-Bearn farm market (July and August)

Wednesday - Navarrenx, Pau place du Foirail (organic market), Lescar (1st and 3rd of the month 3-7pm)

Thursday - Bedous, Salies-De-Bearn, Lembeye, Laruns (at night in July and August)

Friday - Oloron-Ste-Marie, Morlaas and Soumoulou (every fortnight)

Saturday - Salies-De-Bearn, Sauveterre-De-Bearn, Orthez, Arundy, Arzacq (2nd and 4th of the month), Billérie, Laruns, Morlaas, Mourenx, Nay

Sunday - Navarrenx (July and August except 10/8), Aramits, Artix (1st and 3rd of the month), Sauvagnon

There are plenty of shops in all the surrounding towns. There are 2 supermarkets in the centre of Navarrenx and also lots of butchers, bakers etc. There is a larger supermarket just on the outskirts of the town.

A visit to Jean Lafargue in Navarrenx is a must. Jean buys directly from the producers, whether it is foie gras, Bayonne ham or wood pigeons you are looking for, you won’t be disappointed.

La Ferme du Béarn
Joëlle et Jacques Fouex
Sainte-Suzanne, 64300 Orthez
Tel: (+33) (0) 5 59 69 21 04

Ferme Erbin
64190 Angous
tel: 05 59 66 50 20
Visit the farm and salting room

Ferme Moulinaou
64390 Andrein
tel: 05 59 38 50 24
Free-range, grain fed ducks. Foie gras and confits.

Honey from Béarn, Ossau-Iraty cheese, local chocolate and jams, Poule au pot and garbure.

Miellerie de la Montagne Verte
Aas 64440 Eaux-Bonnes
tel: 05 59 05 34 94
Discover mountain bee-keeping and taste the honey

Le Pays d’Ossau
Cave d’affinage, Fromagerie Pardou, 64260 Gére-Bélesten
tel: 05 59 82 60 77
Cheese tasting

La Maison du Jambon de Bayonne
Rte de Samadet, 64410, Arzacq
tel: 05 59 04 49 35 www.jambon-de-bayonne.com
Display, drying, maturing and tasting of Bayonne hams

In France, more than 100 different varieties of vines are cultivated for use in the production of more than 450 wines.

Jurançon (that moistened the lips of Henri 1V) rivals the best Sauternes. Madiran produces full bodied and hearty red wine, renowned for accompanying the game. Pacherenc from Vic-Bilh is both dry and fruity. The rosé wines of Béarn-Bellocq are a delight on the palate.

Les Vidnerons de Bellocq
Voire évenements
Salies-De-Béarn
tel: 05 59 65 10 71
Béarn-Bellocq Rosé, Rouge, Blanc

Domaine Crampilh Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic Bilh
Aramits, Madiran
tel: 05 59 04 00 63

Castagnet estate, Parleboscq
Paguy estate, Betbezer d'Armagnac
Château de Luquet, Labastide d'Armagnac
Labouc farm, Labastide d'Armagnac
Soube wine and spirit storehouse, Saint-Justin

Between the sun and the Pyrenean mountains, the Jurançon vineyards sing a hymn to traditions. The 51 vineyards along the wine route of Jurançon perpetuate original wine growing techniques, unique varieties

of grape, ‘the Mangseng’, on exceptional soil with a fierce desire to defend the Béarnaise spirit. Follow this route and discover domains nestling on the slopes, enthusiastic wine growers who will talk to you about

their wines as if they were talking about their children, and produce that reflects the passion and expertise of these wine growers. An unforgettable gourmet journey. For more information tel: 05 59 82 70 30

Cave des Producteurs de Jurançon
53 av. Henri 1V - 64290 Gan
tel: 05 59 21 57 03

La Commanderie du Jurançon
Maison des Vins, 64360 Lacommande
tel: 05 59 82 70 30

La Confrérie du Jurançon
Canon de Mountain, Quartier Loupien, 64360 Monein
tel: 05 59 21 34 58

Art et Délices, PLace de la Cathédrale
Oloron-Ste-Marie
tel: 05 59 36 13 04

Please check opening times to avoid disappointment

Armagnac, from the Gascony foothills is ‘a must try’ during your visit. A pleasant alternative to Cognac, it has

been produced for more than seven centuries and is obtained from the distillation of white wine in a still,

followed by long ageing in oak casks. (Wine museum - The Armagnac eco-museum, Labastide d'Armagnac).