Brick, roof tile and pipe production using fired clay began at the Tuilerie Oustau in 1873. In 1957, the Tuilerie became the first factory in France to equip its kilns to run on Lacq natural gas. The last bricks were fired in April 1970, bringing almost a century of ceramic activity in Aureilhan to an end. The dates tell different parts of the story: 1873 marks the beginning, 1957 the kilns’ technical distinction, and April 1970 the end of ceramic production. This makes it possible to distinguish the start of production, the firing technology and the end as three separate milestones. For a stay focused on industrial history, this provides a clear theme.
Saint-Gérin Church and the Oustau Manor
At Saint-Gérin Church, an engraved date and two construction phases can be distinguished. The bell tower dates from 1837; the nave was rebuilt and extended in 1842. The year 1603 is engraved on the baptismal font. Of these three points of reference, the oldest is therefore an inscription, while the later dates relate to construction. In addition to liturgical events, concerts are regularly held at the church; the concert programme may vary.
The 18,000-square-metre English-style park surrounding the Oustau Manor provides a distinct landscape feature. The park adds another facet of Aureilhan alongside its industrial history and church architecture.
Culture at ECLA
The event hall at the Espace Culture et Loisirs d’Aureilhan (ECLA) regularly hosts theatre performances, concerts, children’s film screenings, improvisational theatre, dance events and musicals. Individual events may change. The hall has 136 seats and five places for people with reduced mobility. These details may change if the hall is renovated; if the figures are important for your visit, check the latest information.
Both venues offer concerts, but their cultural programmes have different focuses: Saint-Gérin combines them with liturgical events, while ECLA regularly offers other stage, film and dance formats in its hall. For a specific event, the date is what matters.
Adour Trail and Skatepark
The CaminAdour is an 11-kilometre trail running along the banks of the Adour. It is freely accessible to pedestrians and cyclists; its length makes it a clearly defined route option, while the choice of how to get around is yours. As a riverside trail, it differs from the hall’s programme and gives your stay a different focus.
The EMSA skatepark was officially opened and made accessible to the public on 26 June 2023. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the latest access information.
Plan Around Event Dates
If you are planning your stay around a specific cultural event, check the relevant programme, as events may change. The historical information about the Tuilerie Oustau and Saint-Gérin offers points of interest independent of those events; the CaminAdour adds a clearly measured route to the cultural focus. This makes it easier to distinguish date-dependent activities from other options when planning.
Discover more destinations: Sarrancolin, Bourg-de-Bigorre, Arrens-Marsous, Bazet, Gavarnie, Tuzaguet, Sers, Loubajac
For the regional travel overview: Hautes-Pyrénées.
