Eaux-Bonnes, Aas, Assouste, Gourette

Presentation

In the footsteps of Empress Eugénie

A region where nature, history and traditions meet

With its heritage, nature and traditions, Eaux-Bonnes offers a rich and unique region where history and landscapes blend harmoniously.

Eaux-Bonnes is a municipality shaped by its history.
In the past, the villages of Aas and Assouste were separate municipalities.
They were incorporated into Eaux-Bonnes at the request of Empress Eugénie, who wished to organise and develop the spa resort.

Eaux-Bonnes, a renowned spa resort

The municipality of Eaux-Bonnes has a rich history closely linked to its thermal waters. Known for their therapeutic benefits as early as the 16th century, these waters gradually attracted spa guests and visitors, before experiencing a real boom in the 19th century.

Prominent figures of the time, artists and illustrious personalities, came here to seek treatment and enjoy themselves. Among them was Empress Eugénie, who made it her favourite resort and contributed greatly to the town’s reputation.
Eaux-Bonnes then became a leading destination for holidays and high society.

Even today, the elegance of the architecture, the gardens and the promenades – notably the Promenade Horizontale, which offers a superb panorama of the valley – bear witness to this romantic era.

Aas, the village of the whistlers

Perched on the slopes of the Green Mountain, at an altitude of 765 metres, Aas overlooks the valley, offering magnificent views of Laruns and Eaux-Bonnes, and also enjoys a remarkable amount of sunshine.
This typical pastoral village is one of the oldest in the valley and is particularly famous for a unique feature: the whistled language of its inhabitants.

Invented by shepherds before 1850 in the Gourette cirque and on Mount Aas, this method of communication allowed them to communicate quickly over distances of up to 2.5 kilometres.
Brought to the attention of the general public in 1959 by Marcel Gilbert, grandson of Louis Barthou, this language made Aas famous far beyond the Pyrenees.
This language remains a defining feature of the local identity, commemorated in particular by a bronze plaque depicting a whistler (donated by René-Guy Busnel, Marcel Gilbert and René Arripe), which pays tribute to these whistling shepherds and reminds passers-by of this unique feature of the village, found nowhere else in Europe.

A stroll through this picturesque village, particularly the ‘Three Villages’ trail, leads to the neighbouring hamlet of Assouste.

Assouste, a hamlet with a well-preserved heritage

Situated at an altitude of 590 metres, Assouste is a peaceful hamlet enjoying a privileged location on the right bank of the Gave d’Ossau. Incorporated into Eaux-Bonnes in 1861, it charms visitors with its authenticity and heritage.

Notably, it is home to a remarkable 12th-century Romanesque chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, which has been a listed historic monument since 1923 and is probably the oldest in the valley.

Gourette, a resort offering exceptional sports and panoramic views

About ten kilometres from Eaux-Bonnes, heading towards the Aubisque Pass, lies the resort of Gourette. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 metres, it offers the ideal setting for outdoor activities.

A major winter sports resort, Gourette traces its origins back to 1903 with the first ski descents in the Pyrenees, before really taking off from 1930 onwards. Today, it offers slopes suitable for all levels, as well as areas for beginners, snowshoe trails and play areas.

The Gourette Cirque, a remarkable natural site

Listed for the beauty of its landscapes, the Gourette Cirque is one of the most remarkable panoramas in the Pyrenees.
Dominated by the Pic du Ger and facing the legendary Col d’Aubisque, it offers a spectacular natural setting.

It is also on these summer pastures that the shepherds of Aas once used their famous whistled language, adding a unique cultural dimension to the site.

Not to be missed: the Aubisque Pass offers a breathtaking view of the Gourette Cirque.

Source: CCVO