: Tarbes

Tarbes is the historic capital of the Bigorre region and the prefecture of the Hautes-Pyrénées department, situated in the fertile Adour River plain at the foot of the Pyrenees. It is a garrison town with a strong equestrian tradition, best known as the birthplace of Marshal Foch and as the home of the Haras de Tarbes (National Stud).

Tarbes has a railway station with direct TER and TGV services from Paris, Toulouse, and Pau. Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport. By car, the A64 motorway.

The city centre around the Jardin Massey and Place de Verdun is walkable. A local bus network covers the city.

The Jardin Massey with a cloister and Musée des Beaux-Arts. The Haras de Tarbes (National Stud). The Musée de la Déportation. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède.

Visit the Haras de Tarbes for equestrian shows. The weekly market. The Pyrenees National Park, Pic du Midi, ski stations within an hour.

Bigorre cuisine: garbure, foie gras, confit de canard, Barèges-Gavarnie lamb (AOC).

Madiran reds. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh (sweet white). Armagnac.

Range of hotels from budget near the station to comfortable mid-range. Chambres d'hôtes in the Bigorre countryside.

The covered market: foie gras, Pyrenean ham, cheeses (Tomme des Pyrénées, Ossau-Iraty), honey. Madiran wines, Armagnac.

Lourdes (20 km). The Pyrenees National Park, Cirque de Gavarnie, Pic du Midi. Ski stations. Pau (40 km).