The Barousse Valley
Discover the hidden gems of the beautiful Barousse Valley including: a ruined XII century chateau; a gorge with waterfall and plunge pool to cool off in the midday heat; the stunning Lac Borderes and the 360 degree mountain views from Mont Ne. Walk along the old shepherd tracks that link the villages together and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this unspoilt landscape.
It is about 30km from the head of the valley at Port de Bales to the mouth at Loures Barousse. The landscape changes from a grassy plateau at the head, to a steep sided, pine tree lined valley before drifting into green, rolling fertile hills.
The landscape of the Barousse Valley that we see today is the result of glaciation during the Quaternary period, approximately 1.8 million years ago. An immense glacier, measuring 100km in length was formed and carved out the steep-sided neighbouring Garonne Valley. At the confluence of the Pique and Garonne rivers, the glacier measured 900m high – the valley not being sufficient to contain the mass of ice, the glacier overflowed and created the gently rolling hills of the lower and middle Barousse Valley. Numerous examples of the moraine deposits, from chalky rocks to large blocks of granite can be seen throughout the valley.
|
The presence of Pre-historic man, dating between 5,000 and 2,500 BC, has been found in caves at Troubat.
The Romans left their mark on the Barousse Valley too, exploiting the iron mines at Ferrere and the marble quarries at Sost. Many altars, bearing engravings of Roman Gods, were discovered in a number of villages. These can now be viewed at the archaeological museum in Saint-Bertrand-de- Comminges.
Today the Barousse Valley is still predominately a rural farming area, supporting both arable, dairy and sheep farming.
Each year, normally the first weekend in June, the Transhumance event takes place. All the cattle and sheep are taken from the lower pastures where they have been kept over the winter to the high mountain pastures to graze during the summer months. The animals, adorned with bunches of wisteria and pom-poms, are paraded through the streets of Mauleon Barousse and then up to high ground. Walkers follow the animals up into the mountains and partake in a repas of local produce laid out waiting in one of the mountain cabanes. |
