Summary
In the historic Bigorre province located in the southwestern region of France, Tarbes serves as an ancient military town with picturesque views of the snow-dusted peaks of the Pyrenees in the background.
The military emphasized equine activities in Tarbes, where France’s light cavalry was stationed until the end of the Second World War.
The National Stud continues to breed horses and provide instruction in equestrian arts. Each July, “Equestria” transforms the estate into a vibrant celebration of horse riding, attracting numerous enthusiasts.
Notably, the renowned French military figure Martial Foch hailed from Tarbes, where visitors can explore his birthplace. Additionally, Jardin Massey and its distinguished museum offer a captivating cultural experience.
Let us examine the top attractions in Tarbes:
1. Maison Natale Ferdinand Foch
Martial Foch, who commanded the Allied forces, orchestrated the decisive operations leading to the defeat of Germany in the First World War.
The armistice was signed in his private carriage in 1918, and nearly every city in France features a street named in his honor.
Tarbes, where he was born in 1851, boasts this traditional Bigorre residence from the 1700s located on Rue de la Victoire.
The house where he lived until the age of 12 has been transformed into a museum, showcasing familial artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia from the French Academy and World War I, offering insights into his distinguished career.
Among the notable exhibits is the armchair in which he was seated at the time of his passing in 1929.
2. Jardin Massey
A designated “Jardin Remarquable,” the highest recognition for gardens in France, Jardin Massey was established in the 19th century and encompasses several of Tarbes’ cultural institutions and museums.
The park bears the name of its designer, Placide Massey, a horticulturist and landscape architect who managed two gardens at Versailles during the 1800s.
Visitors can enjoy strolls and picnics amidst an array of exotic flora and trees, complemented by elegant structures including the Massey Museum and orangery.
The park’s statues contribute an artistic dimension, with one, L’Ouragan by Edmond Desca, garnering attention in 1887 for depicting a nude male figure.
3. Musée Massey
Massey also conceptualized this opulent museum hall designed in an oriental style which sits at the center of the park.
The museum’s prominent exhibition focuses on the history of the Hussars, detailing four centuries of light cavalry globally from 1545 to 1945, featuring weapons, uniforms, sculptures, and paintings.
Tarbes continues to house France’s 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, closely associated with the National Stud located in the town.
The museum’s fine arts section exhibits works from the Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Flemish, and French art schools, accompanied by an ethnographic wing that displays traditional trades from the four valleys of Bigorre.
4. Haras National
This stud farm was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806 as part of a military horse-breeding initiative that has traced its roots back to Louis XIV in the 17th century.
Tarbes’ Haras National became the breeding ground for the Anglo-Arabian breed, now prevalent across France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, favored by the French hussars based in the city.
During an informative tour, you will navigate through the 200-year-old stables, saddlery, bridleways, and blacksmith’s forge set within eight hectares of landscaped grounds, gaining insights into the breeding and conservation practices that remain active today.
5. Quartier d’Arsenal
Renovation efforts are underway, transforming a substantial area of the industrial landscape adjacent to Jardin Massey into a recreational district.
Among the completed projects is the restoration of the city’s former arsenal, founded shortly after the setback in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, which produced cannons and later armaments for the army for the subsequent century.
The city has revitalized the Arsenal building while preserving its architectural integrity; it now features restaurants, entertainment options including a cinema, bowling alley, and a Laser Quest venue.
6. Tarbes Cathedral
The cathedral’s construction commenced in the 1100s, and by visiting the eastern apse, one can observe the original brick and stone checkerboard walls established approximately 900 years ago.
This section represents the oldest part of the structure; the remainder has undergone significant modifications, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles and colors: The 18th-century western facade is bright yellow, contrasting with the grey 14th-century Gothic nave.
Entering the structure, one can admire the exquisite Baroque marble canopy above the principal altar, along with the ornately decorated vaults in the nave.
7. Parc aux Rapaces
Housing over 110 species, Parc aux Rapaces (Park of the Raptors) provides an enjoyable experience for families, offering close encounters with various birds of prey.
Be sure to be present at the “Théâtre de Verdure” to witness an enchanting falconry demonstration and participate in workshops to try your hand at this ancient craft.
During your visit, you will find yourself in proximity to raptor species hailing from regions as diverse as Norway to Japan, including the southern crested caracara from South America and “Edwige,” the snowy owl, both of which participate in exhibitions.
8. Musée de la Déportation et de la Résistance
During the Second World War, Tarbes was a center of Resistance activity, with ambushes and sabotage operations occurring frequently in the region.
The city’s dedication earned it the Croix de Guerre from the Fourth Republic post-war.
Consequently, it serves as an ideal location to learn about the Resistance networks within Hautes-Pyrénées.
A collection of weapons, photographs, and documents from the war was established as a permanent exhibit in a former school in 1989, providing narratives about the ordinary people forcibly deported to concentration camps.
9. Caminadour
The right bank of the Adour River has been preserved as a natural area, forming a continuous ribbon of parkland traversing the city from north to south.
You can meander along this winding path for up to two hours without crossing any roadways.
At certain points, the dense vegetation offers a striking contrast to the urban environment, while the path provides breathtaking views in autumn when the foliage shifts in color.
Continuing southward will lead you to Soues Lake, with the pathway commencing near another significant water body, the Bours.
The city has also placed informative boards every few hundred meters, detailing the historical significance of the Adour and the species that inhabit its banks.
10. Festival Equestria
At the end of July, the Haras National hosts an event that equestrian enthusiasts should mark on their calendars.
For four nights, the city celebrates its equine heritage within this splendid venue, attracting over 45,000 attendees for remarkable performances and various accompanying activities.
The festival culminates in the “Nuit des Créations” gala, during which the equestrian school presents its latest routines performed by masters of the discipline.
Throughout the event, the Haras National becomes a hub of activity, featuring demonstrations and workshops involving over 300 horses.
11. Grand Marché
On Thursday mornings, set your alarm for the weekly market held in the expansive hall at Place Marcadieu.
This impressive structure, constructed in 1883, draws inspiration from Victor Baltard’s renowned designs in Paris.
Within the hall, a farmers’ market features regional delicacies such as Pyrenean cheese and cured ham, while outside, various stalls offer bric-a-brac and blooming flowers.
Nonetheless, you need not wait until Thursday to enjoy a French market experience, as the new Halle Brauhauban operates every morning.
This slightly smaller indoor market is your destination for fresh produce and artisanal gifts to bring home.
12. Chemin Vert
The Échez, a tributary of the Adour River, flows past the city to the west.
A network of paths alongside the river leads all the way to Lourdes for those seeking adventure.
Traveling by bicycle, the 18.5-kilometer trail can generally be covered in just a couple of hours, while dedicated walkers might leave Tarbes after breakfast and reach Lourdes in time for lunch.
The fertile plain of the Échez is lush and pastoral, with stunning views of the foothills of the Pyrenees to inspire your journey.
Furthermore, you will have opportunities to explore the charming villages of Bigorre, such as Adé, Lanne, and Juillan.
13. Lourdes
France’s leading pilgrimage destination, attracting five million visitors annually, lies less than 20 kilometers south of Tarbes.
Remarkably, Lourdes has the second-highest hotel capacity in France, following only Paris, despite its small resident population of 15,000.
The phenomenon began in the late 19th century when the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, the daughter of a local miller, requesting that a chapel be constructed in a cave.
Today, individuals from around the globe gather at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to seek healing and worship at various locations associated with the apparition.
14. The Pyrenees
Should the views of the distant mountains pique your interest, a drive into the Pyrenees will reveal breathtaking scenery.
Both the Cirque de Gavarnie and the majestic natural amphitheater at Brèche de Roland are located about 70 kilometers away.
Closer still is the Pic du Midi, home to a world-renowned astronomical observatory.
Moreover, geologically fascinating sites are found within half an hour’s drive, including two show-caves: Grottes de Bétharram and Grottes de Médous, both formed by subterranean rivers and rich in stunning stalagmites and stalactites.
15. Food and Drink
The haricot tarbais, a white bean introduced from the New World, has been cultivated around Tarbes since the 18th century.
If you order a cassoulet, a dish you are almost obliged to sample in Southwestern France, this bean will serve as its foundation.
This hearty, meaty stew pairs excellently with local Madiran wine, known for its robust tannins.
Finally, the indigenous Gascon black pig is raised for its exceptional ham, which is cured for a minimum of 18 months, with pricing reflecting the duration of its maturation.
