The Haras de Tarbes, one of the oldest in France, has produced exceptional horses for the Imperial Guard… and continues to train elite riders.

Where are the best hiking spots around Tarbes?

The area around Tarbes offers around thirty walking routes for all abilities . You can take the chemin des crêtes, the Loucrup trail, the Anénos and Merlères circuits, or discover the ronde de St Martin. Whatever your level and desire, don’t hesitate to set off with a mountain leader . He’ll show you the hidden paths and reveal the secrets of the valley.

What public transport options are available in Tarbes?

The Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées conurbation’s urban buses serve 15 communes on 18 bus routes . Take advantage of the free electric shuttle service to the city centre, which operates all year round, to get around more responsibly.

Tarbes, Madiran, Val d'Adour

Art of living in the South-West

The capital of the Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarbes has a warm atmosphere and a rich heritage. Renowned for its stud farm, this flower-filled town offers marvellous views of the Pyrenees mountain range. The 14-hectare Jardin Massey, a veritable green lung, is a must-see meeting place for Tarbes residents, who are always on hand to watch the shows under the bandstand during the summer. From Tarbes, set off on a hike to discover the fauna and flora of the Pyrenees, and don’t forget to cross the Madiran vineyards for an epicurean itinerary rooted in rural traditions.

Haras

The National Stud in Tarbes

equestrian elegance in Occitania

Created under Napoleon to provide mounts for the imperial cavalry, the Haras de Tarbes is today a historic emblem of France’s equestrian heritage. Set in 8 hectares of greenery, with its century-old stables, riding arenas and main tack room, it embodies the excellence of equine breeding and the history of the prestigious Anglo-Arab breed.

The Haras on stage

The Haras is like an open-air museum, with its ancestral know-how, remarkable architecture and equestrian traditions. Every summer, the Equestria festival brings the site to life with shows combining acrobatics, poetry and contemporary creation.

Did you know?

markets

Live markets

A taste of the Bigourdan soul

In Tarbes, the accent is not lost, it’s shared. And it’s at the Marcadieu market that it resonates best, with jokes, bursts of laughter and recipes handed down from generation to generation.

Every Thursday morning, the department’s biggest market is in full swing under the majestic Baltard market hall and on the vast open square. Once a crossroads between mountain dwellers and farmers from the foothills of the Alps, the market could welcome up to 20,000 people during the mule fairs.

A stone’s throw away, the Halle Brauhauban extends the experience to everyday life, with its colourful stalls of fresh produce. From one to the other, a whole art of living is expressed: friendly, generous and authentic.

Madiran

The Madiran vineyards

A wine route in the South-West

After its peaceful passage through Tarbes, the Adour heads north, winding its way through fields, gentle hills and tightly-knit vineyards. This is where the Val d’Adour begins! It stretches between the Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers and Béarn, revealing a bright, lively and delicious South-West.

Gascon fortified towns such as Maubourguet and Vic-en-Bigorre dot the landscape with their central market halls and lively markets. Further afield, the hillsides are home to a vineyard full of character: Madiran, a renowned AOC, a full-bodied red wine made from the Tannat grape variety. The white Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh offers a touch of fruity freshness.

From family estates to cooperative wineries, the winegrowers open their doors to share their expertise. Tastings, vineyard walks, cellar tours… every sip tells a story of terroir, sunshine and patience.

Focus on...

The Massey garden and museum

A walk through nature and history

Just a stone’s throw from the town centre, Jardin Massey unfurls its winding paths, rare species and peaceful corners in subtle harmony. Listed as an outstanding garden, this 11-hectare park invites you to slow your pace, listen to the murmur of the fountains, smell the fragrance of the flower beds and come across the peacocks roaming free. With its playground, horse-drawn carriages, pond and small animals, the setting lends itself to both family reveries and solitary strolls.

©
Jardin Massey in Tarbes
|
Mairie de Tarbes

©
Visit to the Massey Museum, International Hussar Museum, in Tarbes

At its heart, the orientalist silhouette of the Musée Massey is a real eye-catcher. This unique building houses the world’s largest collection dedicated to the hussars, the legendary cavalrymen. Colourful uniforms, sabres, portraits and military equipment retrace four centuries of history through 17,000 objects from all over the world.

Upstairs, the fine arts collection brings together major works from the Flemish, Italian and French schools, from the XVIᵉ to the XIXᵉ century. Religious paintings, mythological scenes, portraits or landscapes… each room offers a new journey.

Temporary exhibitions, guided tours and workshops for all ages enhance the visit. And every first Sunday of the month, admission is free! (Open from Tuesday to Sunday)

Find out more about the museum

Arsenal district

Urban leisure and restored surroundings

Formerly a weapons factory, l’Arsenal now offers Tarbes a new face. Behind its renovated facades, this dynamic district combines culture, leisure and relaxation.

Cinéma Méga CGR: latest-generation, comfortable cinemas.
Arsenal Park: bowling, billiards, giant trampoline, tapas bar.
L’Usine Escalade: 19 m wall, boulders and speed route.
Escape games and laser games: immersion and thrills.

At the end of the day, friendly restaurants and trendy bars offer a welcome gourmet break. And for a break in the countryside, the banks of the River Adour, just a stone’s throw away, welcome joggers and walkers.

Monuments

Three not-to-be-missed monuments

not to be missed

Collegiate church of Ibos

Listed as a Historic Monument, this vertical Gothic church is astonishing for its almost futuristic lines.

Inside, the seventeenth-century furnishings and hushed silence invite contemplation.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral

A discreet gem listed as a Historic Monument, this Romanesque cathedral blends Gothic and Baroque elements. Its polychrome high altar impresses as much as the soothing atmosphere of the place.

Château de Gardères

Between Bigorre and Béarn, this 13th-century château, listed as a Historic Monument, combines formal gardens, a medieval kitchen garden and an orangery.

Visits are possible in summer, by prior arrangement.

Nature

Nature breaks

Around Tarbes

Flying over the Pyrenees

A dream of altitude in the skies over the Hautes-Pyrénées

At Laloubère, theBigorre flying club will take you to the very top of the Pyrenees. In a plane or glider, enjoy a unique experience: admire the Pyrenees… from the sky. Little by little, the plain narrows, the peaks come closer and the ridges take shape. The Pic du Midi, the Gavarnie cirque, the high altitude lakes: each relief is revealed in a ballet of light and silence.

Guided by a passionate pilot, this introductory flight transforms the discovery of the area into a moment of suspension. An intimate tête-à-tête with the mountains, between dizzying heights and pure contemplation.

Aéroclub de Bigorre

Lake Bours-Bazet

Natural swimming and family relaxation

Just a few minutes from Tarbes, Lac Gubinelli – nestling between the communes of Bours and Bazet – is establishing itself as a new must-see summer destination. In this green setting classified Natura 2000, the former quarrying area has been transformed into a family leisure centre.

In July and August, swimming is permitted and supervised by lifeguards. A long beach of golden sand borders the calm waters of the lake, ideal for a refreshing break in an unspoilt natural setting. On site: inflatables for children, picnic tables in the shade, dry toilets and a pebble beach designed for the comfort of bathers.

A footpath runs alongside the lake, an extension of the Caminadour, and an open-air exhibition highlights the history of the site and its biodiversity. A lively, welcoming site, perfect for relaxing without leaving the Tarbais foothills.

The Caminadour

A green stroll along the river Adour

Follow the murmur of the water and let yourself be guided by the Caminadour, a path built along the banks of the Adour on its right-hand bank. Passing gently through Tarbes, this bucolic path winds its way through tall trees and quiet banks, offering a breath of nature in the heart of the city.

Perfectly accessible to cyclists, families and people with reduced mobility, the 5km route runs as far north as Lac de Bours and as far south as Lac de Soues. Benches line the route, so you can take a break in the shade, watch the wildlife or simply contemplate the current. Interpretation panels explain the life of the river, the dams, the flora and fauna, for a walk that’s both peaceful and instructive.

At Soues lake, children can play in the play area, while parents enjoy a picnic on the picnic tables facing the water. Here, fishermen cast their lines, artists sketch a landscape and dreamers surrender to the serenity of the place.

will love