Access, Transports

Car     Bus     Taxi

Train     Plane

Transports accessible to all

Located in south-western France, in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains, the Ossau Valley is situated in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
It is close to the Spanish border, accessible via the Col du Pourtalet pass.

Between plains and high mountains, the valley is dominated by iconic peaks and passes such as the Pic du Midi d'Ossau and the Col d'Aubisque.
 

The Ossau Valley is easily accessible by car and has several entry points.
 

In the valley:

To get to Artouste: at the Laruns exit, head towards Spain (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Pau).
The Pourtalet Pass and the Spanish border are 20 km from the Artouste resort.

To get to Gourette: at the Laruns exit, follow signs for Gourette (approximately 1 hour from Pau).
The Aubisque Pass is 12 km from the Gourette resort.
 

In the surrounding area:

From Pau, follow the D934 towards Laruns and/or Zaragoza.
The road passes through the villages of Gan, Rébénacq, Arudy and Louvie-Juzon, before gradually climbing up the valley.
The journey from Pau takes at least 35 minutes to an hour, depending on your final destination.

From Oloron, follow the N134 to Herrère, then take the D920 towards Le Buziet/Buzy.
The journey from Oloron takes at least 25 minutes (depending on your final destination).

From Lourdes,

• take the D937 towards Lestelle-Bétharram, then the D35 via Asson before arriving in Louvie-Juzon.
  The journey from Lourdes takes at least 50 minutes (depending on your final destination).
• If you prefer to take the mountain roads over the peaks, follow the D821 towards Argelès-Gazost, then continue on the D918 via the Col du Soulor before reaching the Col d'Aubisque.

Please note that the Col d'Aubisque – Col du Soulor road is closed in winter!
 

If you are coming from further afield:

From Bayonne or Toulouse, the A64 motorway (La Pyrénéenne) will take you to Pau quickly. 
The journey from Bayonne takes at least 1 hour 50 minutes (depending on your final destination).
The journey from Toulouse takes at least 2 hours 45 minutes (depending on your final destination).

From Bordeaux, you can generally take the A62 then the A65 to reach the A64 and exit at Pau. 
Once in Pau, follow the D934, which is the main road to the Ossau Valley.
The journey from Bordeaux takes at least 3 hours (depending on your final destination).
 

From Spain:

Coming from Zaragoza or Huesca, access is via the French-Spanish border through the Col du Pourtalet, which is generally open all year round depending on weather conditions.
 

In winter:

Located in a mountainous area, certain parts of the Ossau Valley are subject to the Mountain Law in winter, from 1st November to 31st March.
Your vehicle must be equipped with winter/snow tyres or have snow chains or snow socks on board.
 

Winter regulations

 
It is also recommended that you check traffic conditions.
https://inforoute.le64.fr/
 

Road Info
 

The Ossau Valley is served by bus routes 524 and 525, operated by the region, which are ideal for travelling by public transport.
Bus timetables may vary depending on the season, particularly in summer and winter, so we recommend checking the timetables or contacting us.
 

Coming from Pau (without a car)

 
Line 524 (Pau - Laruns - Gourette)
Line 524 connects Pau to the Gourette resort via Laruns (in the heart of the Ossau Valley).
This main line for reaching the Ossau Valley from Pau by bus serves several villages in the Ossau Valley, which are listed in the timetables.
 
Prices:
€2.50 per journey (one way)
€4.50 (return)

Line 525 (Laruns - Artouste / Col du Pourtalet, depending on the season)
• In summer, from 1 July to 31 August, line 525 takes you to higher altitude areas around the Ayous Lakes, Artouste and the Spanish border.
• In winter, it operates during the Artouste resort's opening period and depending on snow conditions.
​
Prices:
€2.50 per journey (one way)
€4.50 (return)

In winter, travel to the resorts without your car!

Save money by taking the Skibus for a car-free day of skiing, which includes: 1 Gourette day ski pass + return transport from Pau to Gourette. 
 

Book my Skibus

Free shuttle bus from Eaux-Bonnes to Gourette (in winter)

In winter, this small shuttle bus provides a free service between the village of Eaux-Bonnes and the resort of Gourette (approximately 9 km).
You can park your vehicle for free in Les Eaux-Bonnes and then take this shuttle bus, which will take you safely to the Ley car park at the foot of the Gourette ski area.
This shuttle bus runs from 20 December to 4 January, from 7 February to 1 March and on the weekend of 7 and 8 March.
Except on 25 December and 1 January.

TRANSPORT ON DEMAND: OSSAULIB'

• Taxi Canonge in Laruns: bookings and information on +33 (0)5 59 05 30 31
• Monges Taxi in Arudy: bookings and information on +33 (0)5 59 05 65 48 
• Taxi Dorwling Carter in Arudy: bookings and information on +33 (0)5 59 05 64 52
• Taxi Alberto Michael in Arudy: bookings and information on +33 (0)9 60 01 69 32
• Taxi L’Edelweiss in Louvie-Juzon: bookings and information on +33 (0)5 59 82 60 10
• Taxi L’Ossalois in Buzy: bookings and information on +33 (0)6 51 08 45 37

Nearby stations:

• Buzy station
• Oloron-Sainte-Marie station
• Pau station

Travelling without a car in the Ossau Valley

• Towards Gourette: Line 524 (Pau - Laruns - Gourette)
• Towards the Spanish border: Line 525 (Laruns - Lacs d'Ayous - Artouste - Col du Pourtalet)

Find all the timetables:

• trains to Pau on the SNCF website
• Trains Paris - Pau
• buses