Oloron-Sainte-Marie

Visit Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Aquitaine

Oloron-Sainte-Marie is a small town to the south-west of Pau, in the Aquitaine region of south-west France with the pyrenees an ever present silhouette to the south of the town.

Exploring Oloron-Sainte-Marie

The town falls into three distinct areas, each based around one of the three main churches in Oloron.

Start your visit by looking along the gave d'Aspe (the word 'gave' refers to a river that is sourced in the Pyrenees and is subject to substantially increased flows due to weather conditions). The houses along the river front are very picturesque, with their balconies overhanging the river itself.

Region 1: The roman-gothic Sainte-Marie Cathedral is an attractive, small cathedral with a magnificently ornate entrance dating from the 12th century. Be sure to visit the cathedral treasury which contains some lovely items of jewellery and other decorative objects.

The alley between Rue Saint-Grat and the Impasse des Barats has various interesting features dating back to the earliest occupation of the town, while near the cathedral you can also see some excavated traces of the first habitations in Oloron, dating back almost 3000 years and called the tumuli.

Region 2: Head next for the medieval town around the Saint-Croix church, the second important religious monument in Oloron and dating from the end of the 11th century.

Here you can see the Tour de Grede, a sturdy square tower dating from medieval times.You can climb the stairs in the tower for lovely views, then also follow the walk along the ramparts which also impressive views across the rooftops of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and the surrounding hills.

Region 3: The third region of Oloron is around the Church of Notre-Dame (19th century), the town hall and the gave d'Ossau. The grand houses around the Place de la Resistance date from the towns period of prosperity in the 17th century.

The Park Pommé is well maintained and a pleasant place for a stroll in the shade of the trees.

Market day is Friday in Oloron, and is perhaps the best day to visit the town.

Attractions nearby

There are numerous small villages and hamlets to discover in the surrounding countryside, which is the highlight of a visit to Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The Pyrenees are accessible to the south, while the popular town of Pau, to the north-east, should also be visited.

Tourist classifications for Oloron-Sainte-Marie: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Listed town of Art and History; Oloron-Sainte-Marie falls within the Pays d'art et d'histoire de Béarn region

Suggested places to visit near Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Salies-de-Bearn 40km; Pyrenees National Parc 46km; Lourdes 48km; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 51km; Tarbes 55km; La Bastide-Clairence 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Oloron-Sainte-Marie

Oloron-Sainte-Marie tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Vallée d'Aspe - site of natural beauty (27km) : Cirque de Saint-Engrace - site of natural beauty (28km) : Vallée d'Ossau - site of natural beauty (28km) : Gorges de Kakoetta - site of natural beauty (31km) : Col d'Aubisque - site of natural beauty (32km) : Jardin du château de Momas - remarkable garden (32km) : Gorges d'Holzarté - site of natural beauty (33km) : Grottes de Betharram - site of natural beauty (35km) :

French version: see Oloron-Sainte-Marie (Francais)