Tarbes

Tarbes ! The big city of the Hautes-Pyrénées ! I drop off my backpack there for a historical and cultural visit to discover all the remarkable monuments! Shall I take you?!

Tarbes city center

I start my journey at the Tourist Office (Cours Gambetta) where I pick up a city map , marked with the important points of Tarbes and their explanations . It is a very well-made map, with the names of the streets and all the concise but precise indications of the historical and cultural places. Other maps are available such as the heritage trail which crisscrosses the city center to the Jardin Massey in 10 stages, or the children's game booklet which allows you to discover the city in a fun way.

I decide to head towards the old Tarbes to see the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Sède , the oldest monument in the city in Romanesque style and dating from the 12th century. When I arrive, I discover a cathedral placed in the center of the houses. There is a clear contrast between this past era and the contemporary era. It is quite surprising at first glance! Inside, I discover painted ceilings, its Gothic nave and especially the large baroque canopy in marble and gold above the altar.

I go up Rue de la Victoire and pass in front of the birthplace of Marshal Foch . It now houses a museum that retraces the career of this illustrious man . The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket is €2 for a visit, otherwise entry is free. It is possible to take a Museum Pass from €5 in order to also visit the Massey Museum .

I stop for lunch at the Epicerie bistro . It's a very good place with good products. The lunch menu is €14.50 with a starter-main course or main course-dessert menu . Everything is homemade! The decor is also very nice, with the look of old bistros from the 1900s!

Head to Place de Verdun , the central square of Tarbes, which is notable for its beautiful fountains, its cafés and bistros and the people walking there. I then go back up Rue Georges Clemenceau to reach the town hall . Danton faces me and shows me the right direction. I stop for a moment in this small park to admire the neo-Gothic façade of this building.

Massey Garden Tarbes

I then go back up rue André Fourcade and then turn left onto rue Jean Larcher , in order to set foot on the ground of the Jardin Massey . I go through the South entrance and discover this English-style garden classified as “remarkable”. The floral arrangements are superb, the bright colours stand out, the varieties of trees are diverse and varied. There is not only flora at the Jardin Massey, there is also fauna with peacocks, goats, donkeys, peacocks, ducks… all these little creatures (especially the birds) roaming free!

I discover the greenhouse, the cloister and its historic capitals, the Massey museum (international museum of the Hussars which retraces the life of these soldiers) and its Moorish-style tower, its romantic kiosk ... in short, I discover a calm and relaxing place, far from the noise of the city, in the heart of an enormous lung giving me all the oxygen necessary to move forward. The orangery is open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. , every day. The little train , for its part, is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays outside school holidays and from Monday to Sunday during school holidays . Count 2€ for the tour ( 5 tickets purchased = 1 free , 10 tickets purchased = 3 free ).

Children have fun, couples walk there, some do their crosswords, others meet up to chat... I strongly advise you to set foot there at least once!!

Must-see places in Tarbes

Back in the city center , I discover the Halle Brauhauban , a market hall where local merchants offer you their good products. There are also a few miscellaneous shops with well-known brands. This modern facade is different from the facade of the Halle Mercadieu , in the Baltard style , with metal architecture ( market every morning from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ). There is also the Théâtre des Nouveautés to spend good evenings under the sign of comedy, drama or adventure.

Tarbes is also its national stud farm and the house of the horse . Discover this animal that fascinates us all. Collections of objects, museography space installed in a former riding school, carriages, saddles, stables ... Horses will no longer hold any secrets for you! Guided tours last 1h15, entry is €7 for adults and €2 for children (3-12 years old) . There are several discounts for students, riders ... If you want to take a carriage ride , in addition to the tour, the price goes up to €10 for adults and €3 for children .

Tarbes is a pleasant, dynamic and very attractive city. It has a very important historical and cultural heritage, dating from the Middle Ages to the modern period. It is very easy to get around Tarbes , whether on foot, by bike or...by horse-drawn carriage . Several cycle paths have been set up, free shuttles to the city centre leave from Place Jean Jaurès from mid-June to mid-September and the horse-drawn carriage is available from mid-April to mid-September at the Massey garden (in front of the refreshment bar, prices ranging from €2.50 to €20 depending on the option).

Throughout the year, free electric shuttles crisscross the city centre with a departure every 20 minutes between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Thursdays, a special market shuttle allows you to avoid parking worries with a minibus that accommodates up to 15 people every 15 minutes.

Enjoy discovering Tarbes!

Did you like this report? Discover more on the BLOG and by subscribing tothe Facebook Page of the Toulouse Pyrenees Guide . We also have an Instagram page @guidetoulousepyrenees