Visit the village of Trie-sur-Baïse, with views of the Pyrenees
|
Small towns with the appearance of paintings, the bastides of the Coteaux tell the story of a thousand years of history.
Born in the 13th century, their charm lies in the harmony of their layout: a central square, welcoming arcades and narrow, right-angled streets. In Trie-sur-Baïse, Galan or Tournay, stroll from square to market hall, push open the door of a village bistro, discover the stalls of a farmers’ market and savour the rural calm of the Pyrenean foothills.
Nestling below the village, Tournay Benedictine Abbey is home to an active and welcoming community of monks. Here, silence reigns, conducive to meditation and contemplation.
Visitors are invited to wander the grounds, take part in spiritual retreats or simply linger in the shop, where their delicious fruit jellies, made on site, are a delight for gourmets. A timeless interlude.
Tournay Abbey
Monléon-Magnoac hides a place of meditation steeped in history and fervour. Less well known than Lourdes, the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-Garaison is nonetheless one of the region’s most important spiritual sites.
It all began in 1515, when the Virgin Mary appeared to Anglèze de Sagazan, a young shepherdess from the village. Three apparitions and one message: to build a chapel here where “she would spread her gifts”. Thus was born this place of pilgrimage, strengthened by stories of cures – including the famous one of black bread becoming white bread.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the chapel at Garaison boasts Southern Gothic architecture, gilded altarpieces, 16th-century frescoes and the statue of the Pietà, miraculously intact after being thrown into the fire during the Wars of Religion. The walls are covered with ex-votos – testimonies of faith and gratitude.
Even today, the sacred spring, peaceful gardens and silence of the sanctuary invite meditation.
Garaison
|
Garaison on the hillsides
|
Garaison, in the hills
|
Museum of the Corps Franc Pommiès in Castelnau-Magnoac
This museum pays tribute to the Corps Franc Pommiès, a unit of the French Resistance during the Second World War. It exhibits a collection of objects, uniforms, photographs and weapons from the period, bearing witness to their fight for freedom.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Museum of Religious Art in Castelnau-Magnoac
Located in the bell tower of the 14th-century collegiate church, this museum presents a collection of religious art objects and paintings, offering a glimpse of the local sacred heritage.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Fire Museum at Campuzan
This museum houses an impressive collection of old vehicles, firefighters’ outfits, equipment and miniatures, tracing the evolution of firefighters’ equipment over the decades.
Visits by appointment during the summer (05 62 99 80 14).
Castelnau Magnoac
From Saint-Sever-de-Rustan, the gondola rises slowly…
The ground recedes, the light changes, and the Pyrenees range appears on the horizon. With Zen Altitude, every hot-air balloon flight is a gentle adventure, suspended between heaven and earth.
As the wind blows, you’ll fly over valleys, bastides, forests and, in the distance, the peaks of the Pyrenees. It’s a unique way to take in the scenery of the foothills of the Pyrenees, in the light silence of dawn.
Crossing the Pyrenees in a hot-air balloon
On the outskirts of the village, this 75-hectare lake is surrounded by vegetation, with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. Created for agricultural irrigation, it has been transformed into a real leisure spot for all the family.
Lac Passerelle in Castelnau Magnoac
The beach at Castelnau Magnoac lake
Canoeing, paddle-boating, pedal-boating, fishing, inflatable games… there’s something for everyone. And to keep cool in summer, a supervised beach is open to bathers every day in July and August, from 1pm to 6.30pm.
Children can also enjoy the play areas and canoeing lessons, while older children can relax in the shade by the beach or around a barbecue. A lively, friendly place, perfect for a break under the open sky.
This tranquil lake combines rejuvenation, outdoor activities and leisure pursuits for all the family.
A 9.2 km trail (approx. 2h30) leads around the lake. Accessible to all, it is a little long for the youngest non-walkers.
The interpretation trail (2.5 km round trip), dotted with fun panels, offers an educational approach to the flora and fauna – perfect for a family outing.
Walk around Lake Arrêt Darré, with views of the Pyrenees
|
For thrill-seekers, the “Les Barons Perchés” accrobranche park offers courses suitable for all ages, allowing you to gain height in complete safety in a lush green setting.
The site is also popular with cyclists, offering a welcome stop-off on the VéloSud cycle route. A repair and catering area is available at the Guinguette du Lac. Mountain bikers can set off on a 16km signposted circuit winding through the hillsides.
Pike-perch, pike, perch, carp and roach are just some of the fish in these waters.
Quiet and well-equipped, the site is ideal for card-holding anglers.
Nestling deep in the hills, this peaceful mirror is a haven for over 250 species of bird. Grey cranes, spoonbills, kites… spread their wings over the water on their long migrations.
From the discreet observatories along the trail, let the silence settle in, raise your binoculars and watch the aerial ballet of these great travellers. A moment suspended in the heart of a fragile and fascinating ecosystem.
Lake Puydarrieux
|
Cycling at Lac De Puydarrieux, les Coteaux
Donkey ride at Puydarrieux lake
A showcase of biodiversity
On the edge of the town, the Henri Gaussen Arboretum winds its quiet paths through clearings and undergrowth. More than 70 species of trees and shrubs from all over the world flourish here: giant sequoias, Atlas cedars, Japanese maples and bald cypresses create a living landscape that changes with the seasons.
Created in 1958 by Henri Gaussen, a passionate botanist, this 13-hectare forest garden invites you to take a contemplative stroll, punctuated by educational panels accessible to all. Let the foliage envelop you, follow the two trails and listen out for the birdsong that punctuates the route.
Designated a sensitive natural area, the site is home to a discreet but very present fauna: agile squirrels, stealthy roe deer, colourful butterflies and a multitude of feathered species that find refuge here. A sensory and instructive escapade, at the heart of a living heritage.
Practical information
Maison du Magnoac – 05 62 39 86 61
Galan Tourist Office – 05 62 99 70 19
Trie sur Baïse Tourist Office – 05 62 35 50 88
