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The must-sees
The Pic du Midi d'Ossau
Presentation
The Pic du Midi d'Ossau (2,884 metres), the emblem of the Ossau Valley!
Rare are the mountains that maintain a haughty solitude, their mere presence defining an entire landscape. Such is the case with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, or Jean-Pierre.
Located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, it stands out as the emblem of the Ossau Valley and, more broadly, of Béarn.
Rising to 2,884 metres, this ancient volcano is a must-see for hiking and climbing enthusiasts.
The Pic du Midi d'Ossau (2,884 m), an ancient volcano dating back some 290 million years, is the emblem of the valley.
At the end of the Palaeozoic era, large north-south fissures opened up in the Hercynian mountain range, causing violent eruptions. One of these led to the collapse of the summit of the volcano, forming a circular depression called a caldera.
With erosion and a second phase of uplift – the formation of the Pyrenees mountain range 40 million years ago – the volcanic ring was destroyed and transformed, giving way to the silhouette we know today.
During the Quaternary period, glaciers sharpened the walls, ridges and peaks and shaped many of the surrounding cirques.
Once upon a time, there was a vast sea stretching as far as the eye could see. Fish of all sizes lived in this sea. They all lived together.
In this vast expanse of salt water, these fish had only one fear: John, the biggest fish of them all.
He was enormous and ate all the other fish all the time. So they were all very afraid of him...
One day, all the fish got together to come up with a plan to get rid of John. Everyone agreed, but no one had any ideas.
A little fish whose parents had been eaten plucked up his courage and announced that he would take care of John.
And he swam away, far away from all the other fish, to a spring where a fairy welcomed him.
The little fish told her about his journey and the monster John who ate everything.
The fairy listened to the little fish and asked him to go and find Jean and bring him back.
The little fish went to find Jean and told him that he had found an enormous cake, a cake so big that he could eat it every day. So they set off together.
When they arrived at the spring, the little fish pointed to the moon and told Jean that his cake was up there.
The full moon was shining so brightly that Jean, who had never seen the moon before, leapt out of the water.
At that moment, the fairy stood over Jean and said, ‘Jean the monster you were, Jean of Stone you shall be.’
And the big fish turned to stone.
Located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, it stands out as the emblem of the Ossau Valley and, more broadly, of Béarn.
Rising to 2,884 metres, this ancient volcano is a must-see for hiking and climbing enthusiasts.
Did you know?
The Pic du Midi d'Ossau (2,884 m), an ancient volcano dating back some 290 million years, is the emblem of the valley.
At the end of the Palaeozoic era, large north-south fissures opened up in the Hercynian mountain range, causing violent eruptions. One of these led to the collapse of the summit of the volcano, forming a circular depression called a caldera.
With erosion and a second phase of uplift – the formation of the Pyrenees mountain range 40 million years ago – the volcanic ring was destroyed and transformed, giving way to the silhouette we know today.
During the Quaternary period, glaciers sharpened the walls, ridges and peaks and shaped many of the surrounding cirques.
Its nickname Jean-Pierre
There are several explanations for this nickname:
- Jean-Pierre: the stone giant...
- Because it has two peaks, one larger than the other, and because in the past, traditionally, in the Ossau Valley, the eldest son was called Jean and the younger son Pierre...
The legends associated with it:
- Thousands of years ago, the Ossau Valley had to face hordes of invaders. The overwhelmed inhabitants were helped by two giants, Jean and Pierre, who repelled the attackers. They perished in battle.
So the Ossalois buried them under tons of stones, thus creating ‘Jean-Pierre’... - A myth about Jean and Pierre, the names of two twin brothers, shepherds in the Ossau mountains, tasked with preventing the intrusion of barbarians. While a tremendous crash scattered their flock, a goat bit Jean, “the cheerful one”, who was immediately rescued by Pierre, 'the taciturn colossus ‘. But a brouche (witch) intervened, dragging the two brothers into her underground lair, while on the surface the barbarians destroyed animals and people. But soon Jean and Pierre burst out of the volcano, skewering every last invader with their ’swords of fire". And the brouches petrify the twins to immortalise their feat, freezing Grand Pic and Petit Pic d'Ossau side by side for eternity...
For toddlers:
Once upon a time, there was a vast sea stretching as far as the eye could see. Fish of all sizes lived in this sea. They all lived together.
In this vast expanse of salt water, these fish had only one fear: John, the biggest fish of them all.
He was enormous and ate all the other fish all the time. So they were all very afraid of him...
One day, all the fish got together to come up with a plan to get rid of John. Everyone agreed, but no one had any ideas.
A little fish whose parents had been eaten plucked up his courage and announced that he would take care of John.
And he swam away, far away from all the other fish, to a spring where a fairy welcomed him.
The little fish told her about his journey and the monster John who ate everything.
The fairy listened to the little fish and asked him to go and find Jean and bring him back.
The little fish went to find Jean and told him that he had found an enormous cake, a cake so big that he could eat it every day. So they set off together.
When they arrived at the spring, the little fish pointed to the moon and told Jean that his cake was up there.
The full moon was shining so brightly that Jean, who had never seen the moon before, leapt out of the water.
At that moment, the fairy stood over Jean and said, ‘Jean the monster you were, Jean of Stone you shall be.’
And the big fish turned to stone.
Hiking around Ossau
The Ayous Lakes hike
The unmissable Ayous Lakes hike offers every hiker an exceptional view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.This 5-hour loop is a 14 km hike that winds its way through the peaks, taking in varied landscapes from forests to crystal-clear lakes.
The Tour de l'Ossau hike
For experienced hikers and sports enthusiasts, the Tour de l'Ossau is one of the most famous hikes in the Ossau Valley: if you only do one hike in the Pyrenees National Park, this should be it!Over 15 km and 1,200 m of elevation gain, you will see the Ossau from all angles and cross beautiful wild valleys where the most emblematic wildlife of the Pyrenees takes refuge.
Climbing this giant
Every summer, numerous climbing and mountaineering enthusiasts set out from the Pombie refuge to tackle this legendary peak.
The normal route is the easiest way to reach the summit.
This hike-climb requires good preparation and a good level of fitness, given its length and elevation gain (one day and an elevation gain of over 1,000 metres).
The alternation of three 20-metre chimneys (for safety, take a 50-metre rope to climb them and a helmet for the entire ascent) and easy walking passages adds a fun element to this climb.
However, this summit should not be underestimated and requires a certain amount of experience... and wisdom to know when to turn back if the weather is not favourable.
Please note! Accompaniment by a professional is strongly recommended, as well as a helmet and a safety rope.
At the summit, a reward awaits you: a breathtaking 360° view!
Please note!
The Pic du Midi d'Ossau is located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park and is therefore subject to its regulations.