A church portal dated 1693, a protected historic site and forest hiking trails give Arette its distinctive character. Visitors planning a stay can choose between the town’s cultural history, a designated hike and the karst landscape of the La Pierre Saint-Martin area.
Cultural history in Arette
The west portal of the Église Saint-Pierre d’Arette bears the date 1693. In the same church, a chrism is considered a remnant of Arette’s first Romanesque church, dating from the 13th century. These two details point to different phases in the building’s history: the portal is dated, while the chrism is associated with the early church building.
The Ancienne abbaye laïque is also partially protected as a historic monument. A decree dated 28 October 1968 protects its facades and roofs, the old fireplaces and the park. At the Maison du Barétous, visitors can explore the history, traditions and distinctive features of the Barétous Valley. The immersive presentation covers these topics across ten scenographic exhibition areas.
Another historical detail can be found at the Fontaine de Salet: local stonemasons built the fountain in May 1828. It is on the eastern edge of Arette, by the Bois du Calvaire, in a wooded area with walking trails. Arette is thus home to a range of historical features, from church architecture and protected buildings to a 19th-century fountain.
Hiking trails and forest
Hiking trail No. 18, “Le chemin de la transhumance,” starts in Salet in the centre of Arette. This easy hike is 12.8 kilometres long and follows an out-and-back route. The distance therefore refers to the entire hike, not just the way to the turning point. Those looking for a specific distance to help plan their walk will find a clear figure here; no walking time is specified.
Another woodland spot is the Bois du Calvaire, near the Fontaine de Salet. Its walking trails and the longer out-and-back hike from Salet offer different ways to spend time outdoors during your stay. The Tèrra-Aventura trail “Fracas au Braca” also runs through the heart of the Braca forest and is open year-round. Its woodland setting and year-round access distinguish this trail from the signposted hike with its set route length.
Karst, mountains and orientation
The La Pierre Saint-Martin area near Arette offers views of an extensive limestone lapiaz landscape. There are hikes across the lapiaz, and the landscape is one of Europe’s major karst areas. Arette is also considered an important area for speleology. Another Tèrra-Aventura trail, “Voyage au centre de la Pierre,” introduces visitors to the secrets of the La Pierre Saint-Martin karst massif. These themes give the natural landscape a different focus from the town’s history and forest trails.
La Pierre Saint-Martin is also a ski and mountain resort in the Pyrenees. The area around Arette therefore offers a variety of nature and mountain experiences: hikes through a limestone landscape, speleology and a resort with skiing and mountain activities. For personal information about hiking and outdoor activities, the Arette tourist information office offers advice. Free parking and free public Wi-Fi are also available there.
Discover more destinations: Anhaux, Bilhères, Orsanco, Lées-Athas, Biriatou, Lasse, Bidart, Aubertin
For the regional travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.
