Top 10 things to do in Tarbes

The capital of Bigorre, the city of Tarbes is ideally located near the Pyrenees National Park, ski resorts, the Spanish border, and the Atlantic coast. Between Pau and Lannemezan, this lively and sporty city attracts many tourists each year with its relaxed lifestyle and the region's vast green spaces. This year, it's your turn to get away. We'd love to take you on a journey to discover charming Tarbes, its history, and its activities.

Let's go for a stroll in the historic heart of the city of Tarbes, a complete and exciting tour organised by the tourist office.

What to do in Tarbes?

1. The birthplace of Marshal Foch

Located in the heart of old Tarbes, the birthplace of Marshal Foch offers an intimate immersion into French history. This traditional 18th-century Bigorre house, with its carved wooden galleries, is where, in 1851, the man who would become the commander-in-chief of the Allied armies during the Great War was born.

Stepping through the threshold, leave the urban bustle behind and enter the atmosphere of a period bourgeois home. The carefully renovated museum layout blends personal mementos with historical artifacts. Discover:

• The Marshal's office and bedroom, recreated with authentic furniture.
• His uniforms and decorations bear witness to his military rise and international prestige.
• Unpublished documents that trace not only his strategy during the victory of 1918, but also his Pyrenean roots to which he remained deeply attached.

It is a visit that is both understated and moving, ideal for understanding the man behind the bronze figure that stands in the squares of France.

2. Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral in Tarbes

To truly immerse yourself in the soul of Bigorre, allow yourself a stroll through the cobbled streets of the old Sède quarter. Your steps will naturally lead you to Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral, the oldest monument in the city and a sentinel of Tarbes' history. This building is an open book of architecture, revealing nearly a thousand years of transformations.

The building first strikes you with its massive appearance and its walls of Adour river pebbles, evidence of its original Romanesque roots. Yet, upon crossing its threshold, you discover a fascinating stylistic evolution where different eras converse with one another. The nave, rebuilt in the 14th century, displays the elegance and verticality of the Gothic style, while the eye is irresistibly drawn to the chancel. It is there that the spectacular 18th-century Baroque baldachin reigns, a marble masterpiece whose theatricality contrasts magnificently with the medieval sobriety of the vaults.

Listed as a Historical Monument, the cathedral has withstood the test of time, incorporating successive repairs and modifications that contribute to its current richness. Visiting this monument means exploring the epicenter of Tarbes' heritage, where ancient stone meets the fervor of centuries past in an atmosphere of absolute serenity.

3. The Massey Museum in Tarbes

Walking up the majestic Rue Massey, you'll find one of Bigorre's cultural gems: the Musée Massey. Completely renovated in 2012, this exceptional institution is housed in the former home of Placide Massey, the renowned botanist and major benefactor of the town. The building itself, with its Moorish-inspired architecture, invites you to escape even before you step inside.

Spread over two levels, the museum houses two prestigious collections that interact in an elegant setting:

• The first, the International Hussar Collection, is simply unique in the world. Through an impressive collection of over 15,000 objects, it retraces the heroic saga of these elite cavalrymen. From gleaming uniforms to period weaponry, the museum's exhibits offer a complete immersion in international military history, from the creation of the troop in Tarbes to the world conflicts.
• The second floor is dedicated to the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, whose foundations were laid in the 19th century by the art enthusiast Achille Jubinal. During a guided tour or a self-guided visit, you can admire masterpieces from the great European schools, notably the Italian, Dutch, and Flemish. Between classical mythology and the refinement of religious art, these galleries offer a sophisticated aesthetic journey above the canopy of the Massey Garden.

Whether you are a military strategy enthusiast or a lover of old paintings, the Massey Museum is an essential stop during your stay in Tarbes.

4. Massey's Garden in Tarbes

A true gem of the Bigorre region, the Jardin Massey is classified as a "Remarkable Garden" and covers 11 hectares in the heart of Tarbes. Designed by the renowned botanist Placide Massey, this English-style landscaped park offers an enchanting escape where paths wind, lined with rare species and ancient trees. Between flowerbeds, you might be lucky enough to spot one of the many free-roaming peacocks displaying their tail feathers, with the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees as a backdrop.

The garden also shines thanks to its unique architectural heritage, notably the cloister of the Abbey of Saint-Sever-de-Rustan. Rebuilt stone by stone in the 19th century, its forty-eight sculpted capitals enclose a space of absolute serenity. Dominated by the Moorish silhouette of the Massey Museum, this park is at once a botanical conservatory, a place steeped in history, and a favorite meeting place for the people of Tarbes for a timeless stroll.

5. The Carmel Exhibition Space in Tarbes

After walking around the park, go back down the street to enter Espace Carmel. Housed since 1988 in a magnificent former chapel founded in 1870, this place steeped in history has become an institution dedicated to artistic creation.

Beneath its centuries-old vaulted ceilings, the Carmel hosts themed exhibitions showcasing the talent of local and internationally renowned artists. More than just a gallery, the establishment offers an immersive experience through engaging guided tours and creative workshops suitable for all ages. Whether you come for its temporary exhibitions or to admire the architecture of this former convent, the Carmel perfectly embodies the vibrant artistic scene of Tarbes.

6. The Tarbes Stud Farm

Just steps from the hustle and bustle of the city center, escape to the Tarbes National Stud Farm, an exceptional site listed as a Historical Monument. This 8-hectare green oasis in the heart of the city was created in 1806 at the behest of Napoleon I. Its original mission? To produce elite horses for the imperial cavalry.

It is here, on these lands steeped in tradition, that the famous Anglo-Arab breed was born, resulting from a cross between the Tarbais horse and the Thoroughbred. Renowned for its elegance and power, this horse is today a global benchmark for equestrian sport.

During your visit, let yourself be captivated by this "living museum":

• A remarkable Empire-style architecture, with prestigious stables and a perfectly preserved ceremonial saddlery.
• A sumptuous garden with ancient tree species, offering a unique bucolic setting.
• Equestrian facilities still in operation, where one can still feel all the nobility of equestrian art.

7. The market in Tarbes

To truly experience the pulse of the city, nothing beats a morning stroll through the majestic Brauhauban Market Hall. A Tarbes institution, this covered market comes alive every morning, sharing the very best local flavors. In a warm and authentic atmosphere, the stalls offer a comprehensive and high-quality selection, making this a must-visit for gourmets and lovers of fresh produce.

The experience is particularly focused around the producers' area, where local sourcing takes center stage. It's here, in the central part of the market hall, that you can discover the treasures of the Hautes-Pyrénées' gastronomic heritage: from the famous Bigorre Black Pork to the flavorful Tarbais Beans, not forgetting the cheeses from the neighboring valleys. Whether you're filling your basket or simply enjoying a coffee at the counter, the Brauhauban Market Hall embodies the art of living and the generosity of Southwest France.

8. The Laloubère Racecourse in Tarbes

Just outside the city, near the Tarbes golf course, you'll find the horses at the Laloubère racecourse. Established in 1808, it boasts a unique setting overlooking the Pyrenees mountain range. Renovated in 2001, horses and riders can now shine on one of the last remaining grass tracks in France, 1800 meters long with a 450-meter finish line. Whether you're a novice or an expert, the view is well worth the trip.

9. The CaminAdour in Tarbes

It's your turn to work up a (slight) sweat on the CaminAdour, an 11.5 km trail laid out along the riverbank between Bours and Soues. Dotted with picnic areas and playgrounds, it's the perfect place to escape the everyday in the shade of the tall trees. Discover the local flora and fauna during a 2-hour and 50-minute walk, or opt for cycling on the Trait Vert de Tarbes. With 10 loops, there are 140 km of circuits that allow you to reach some fifteen towns and villages around Tarbes. So, lace up your sneakers and hop on your pedals, let's go !

10. The Paul Boyrie Nautical Centre in Tarbes

Finally, we'll take you to cool off at the Paul Boyrie Aquatic Center in Tarbes, a fun space for all ages with an Olympic-size pool, an outdoor pool, children's play areas, and large relaxation zones. Dive into the clear waters of the Tarbes pool and relax ; the tour is complete.

The lovely city of Tarbes holds no more secrets for you. Take your time to appreciate each structure and monument of this flowery and attractive town, and don't forget to taste the famous Tarbes bean.

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