Saint-pé-de-bigorre

In 1022, the monks of Saint-Sever de Rustan created the abbey of Saint-Pé de Générès around which the village prospered. In the XIXth century, Saint-Pé de Bigorre became an important artisanal centre, full of weavers, nail makers and colliers.

The commune has conserved it's rich past, an exceptional heritage. A listed church from the XIth and XVIIth centuries, houses of the XVIth, a square of arcades, terrace gardens above the Gave made Saint-Pé de Bigorre one of the most picturesque and pretty villages of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

At a distance from the Marian city, Saint-Pé de Bigorre is situated about 10 minutes from the sanctuary of Lourdes. You can at the same time walk in the footsteps of Saint-Bernadette and also take advantage of the green surroundings, resting in an engaging Pyrenean village.

The French Canoe and Kayak Federation has chosen Saint-Pé de Bigorre as the site for Olympic preparation, based around the centre of activities "Hautes-Pyrénées Sport Nature" and the slalom pool of Pont des Grottes (The Bridge of Caves). Nothing more normal, for here one lives passionately, always in communion with nature.

Canoe, kayak and rafting on the raging Gave de Pau, but also caving in the caves of the Saint-Péen massif, climbing on cliffs, walks on the marked paths of all levels, without forgetting the more traditional infrastructure: swimming pool, tennis...
So many invitations to open air sporting pleasure in the heart of the Pyrenean mountains guarantee an energetic holiday.

Lovers of forests, of solitude, of picturesque sites, Saint-Pé de Bigorre is made for you!

Bordered by mountains, Saint-Pé de Bigorre is situated at the heart of prodigious nature. The 2600 hectares of the forest of Trescrouts, carefully preserved, pierced by the tumultuous waters of the Génies, continues to the Peak of the Estibète inhabited by izards.

Nature in a pure state… No highway to besmirch an exceptional countryside. The routes that lead you to the viewpoint of Mousqué, to the belvedere of the pass of Larbastan open onto the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the Néouvielle.

The specially prepared footpath in the karstic centre will make you discover caves and chasms that hide in the massif Saint-Péen and of which the celebrated Grottes de Bétharram are the most beautiful jewels.

Here, the forest disputes this with soft clearings and summers where pastoralism is king.

Historic city on the routes of St-Jacques de Compostelle, to the confines of Béarn and of Bigorre, in the proximity of the village of Peyrouse, created at the beginning of the XIIIth century, St-Pé has survived and developed while maintaining it's authenticity and traditions, a rustic world of great richness retraced by the museum.

People of taste, the Saint-Péens are also people of heart. Festivals or animated evenings provide many moments to allow you to discover the conviviality and the Pyrenean tradition and to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Saint-Pé de Bigorre, land of welcome, can only captivate you.

The circuit in the heart of the village allows you to see the richness of the heritage of Saint-Pé de Bigorre, witness of 10 centuries of history: listed church, arcades, houses from the XVIth century, terrace gardens above the Gave, work of the artisans...

Explanatory leaflet available at the Syndicat d'Initiative.

The church of Saint-Pé de Bigorre is one of the most ancient in the region as it has replaced the abbey church of the benedictin abbey founded in the XIth century.

Some remarkable particularities:

• Portico in crossed ribs, dating from an early roman abbey church style
• The key de Saint-Pierre, in iron, very heavily forged, greatly venerated in the Middle Ages for rendering the judgement of God
• Notre Dame de Saint-Pé de Bigorre : polychrome Virgin of the XIVth century, joy of the church having escaped the destruction of the Huguenots.

In the interior, an illustrated guide helps you to better appreciate the richness of our church.
Visits daily between 9am and 6pm.