LA MAISON DE LA FONTAINE
Activities
Activities around the region
We have a wealth of cultural and sporting opportunities in the area and, whatever your tastes, there is something for everyone. Within a few minutes walk of the house you can be fishing for salmon or trout in the local rivers, rafting, kayaking or walking through shady woods or along the St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrim route with magnificent views of the Pyrenees. One hour’s drive will take you to the Atlantic coast with glorious beaches and some of the best surf in the world or to the mountains with winter sports and magnificent high level walks in the summer. Music and art are a very important part of the region’s rich cultural heritage with many concerts and exhibitions throughout the year, some of which are organised by us. The noted cellist Matthew Barley and the baroque trio London Baroque are just some of the musicians who have stayed with us and provided magnificent performances at local venues.
Below you will find a flavour of just some of the things that you can do, be it a glorious summer’s day or a damp and misty winter morning! For those with a confirmed reservation it is possible to download our own guides Activities at Araux, Activities – Sports & Adventure
Less than 15 minutes from the house
Antiques hunting in the shops at Navarrenx and surrounding villages
Art, Sculpture and Handicrafts in Navarrenx
Cycling to Navarrenx (10 minutes), or the pretty villages of Araujuzon (5minutes, have a drink or meal Chez Labat), Viellenave (5 minutes, look at pretty church and picnic by the river), Audaux (10 minutes, look at the church, the square, the well, the exterior of the chateau and a drink or meal Chez Claverie), Laas (15 minutes, the Chateau de Laas and its beach, swimming in the Gave d’ Oloron, the church, various artisans and a drink or a meal at Auberge de la Fontaine)
Driving to Navarrenx for its shops and sights, driving to Araujuzon, Audaux, Laas, Sauveterre to see their churches, bridges and other places of interest
Eating at Chez Labat in Araujuzon, Chez Claverie at Audaux, Auberge de la Fontaine at Laas or the Hotel due Commerce, Bar des Sports or the Taverne St Jacques in Navarrenx.
Fishing in the Gave d’ Oloron or Lausset – permits required
Hunting in the local forest – permits required
Mountain biking along the tracks in the woods behind Araux, down to the Gave d’ Oloron (picnic or bbq your freshly caught fish – with permit)
Museum of internment camp at Gurs
Music in Navarrenx (usually at Eglise St Germain)
White Water Rafting, Kayaking and Canoeing at Navarrenx
Swimming in the Gave d’ Oloron
Tennis on the public courts at Navarrenx
Walking in the woods behind Araux and observing the multitude of wildlife, walking along the Lausset or down to the Gave d’ Oloron and along its shady banks
Watching Pelota on the Fronton at Araux or Quilliers (huge skittles) at the Hôtel Rey in Araujuzon or Rugby at the Stade in Navarrenx
15 to 45 minutes from the house
Antiques Hunting in Sauveterre, Salies de Béarn, Pau, Oloron and Soumoulou
Bird watching at the nature reserve in Orthez
Bull fighting at St Palais
Casino at Salies de Béarn
Driving into the beautiful countryside of the Pays Basque or a circuit of the Jurancon vineyards or to the interesting towns of Salies de Béarn (with its Museum of Salt, Thermal waters and Health Centres); Oloron St Marie (two splendid churches, the old town and a beautiful tree lined square as well as impressive views up and down the Gave); St Palais; Monein (with its magnificent church); Mauleon (with its chateau fort); Orthez (a good regional centre) or to the beautiful villages of Hôpital St Blaise (with its Romanesque church – a UNESCO World Heritage site) or to Lucq de Béarn
Eating at Hôpital St Blaise, Chez Chilo, Barcus; La Cancha, Oloron; Chez Estaminet, Monein
Flying light aircraft and microlights at Base ULM just off the road between Navarrenx and Mourenx
Golf at Salies de Béarn
Hot air ballooning at Angous
Karting at Villeségure
Horse riding at Les Ecuries des Princes Noirs at Gurs (also carriage driving); also at St Palais or Oloron
Quad biking at Villeségure
White Water Rafting, Kayaking and Canoeing at Sauveterre
Swimming and water activities at the Stade Nautique in Mourenx or water activities at Aqua Béarn not far from Oloron
Taking the waters at Salies de Béarn
Water skiing and bird watching at Orthez
Wine tasting and wine buying at many of the Jurancon vineyards
45 to 90 minutes from the house
Bayonne, Biarritz, St Sebastian and Pau are exciting, vibrant cultural centres with much to do and see
Car Racing and the Historic Grand Prix at Pau
Casinos at Biarritz, Pau and Eaux Bonnes
Canyoning at Ossau
Concerts at Bayonne, Pau and many other towns
Diving at Biarritz and St Sebastien
Forest adventure course and tree climbing at Aramits
Gers – a very different and much drier region
Golf at Pau and Biarritz
Mountain train at Artous
Mountain Walking at Gourette and other ski centres
Museums at Bayonne, Biarritz (sea life and eastern antiquities) and Pau
Opera at Bayonne, Biarritz, Pau
Planetarium at Pau or Biarritz
Sailing, Windsurfing, Jet Skiing & Water Skiing on the Atlantic Coast at Ciboure and Socoa
Sea Fishing out of ports on the Atlantic Coast such as Capbreton
Skiing at Gourette, La Pierre St Martin etc
Theatres at Bayonne, Biarritz, Pau
Spanish Border and lots of interesting shopping
Over 90 minutes from the house
Aragon in Spain – beautiful countryside and very different
Major cities of Bordeaux, Toulouse, Bilbao (Guggenheim Museum) and Pamplona
Click here to download Activities sporting and adventure