Soule Province
Hunki Jin Xiberoan “Welcome in Soule province”
The village of Barcus and its surroundings
La Soule, a preserved region
in the heart of the Pyrenees
Soule, the most remote, smallest and wildest of the Basque provinces.
Far from the tourist circuits and mass tourism, here the key words are calm and nature.
You will explore the soft and green landscapes of the lower valley, discovering its rich built heritage
or in search of one of these essential espadrilles made in Mauléon.
As you climb towards the summits, nature becomes wilder, very green,
interspersed with gorges and canyons and covered with vast forests.
Here, culture is deeply rooted in traditions, the Souletin dialect (version of the Basque language), songs, dances, myths
animate its people and make this region a true cultural cradle.
Barcus, a small village of 700 souls on the borders of the Basque Country and Béarn, allows you to crisscross Soule
with Mauléon Licharre the capital of the espadrille but also Béarn, with the Aspe valley, the Ossau valley,
the towns of Oloron Sainte Marie and Pau with their rich architectural heritage.
Cycle tourism
Ideal playground for all cyclists, for the most seasoned there are many passes to explore, Ahuski, Soudet, Marie Blanque, Osquich, and for cycle tourists there are many communal roads on hilly terrain and far from road traffic.
For mountain bike rental, the Lokabe agency offers itineraries and rentals for the day and more.
Culture
The Romanesque church of Saint Blaise Hospital and its sound and light show.
Mauléon-Licharre, capital of the espadrille
For more than 150 years, the espadrille has punctuated life in the Basque Country and especially in the province of Soule of which Mauléon-Licharre has become the capital.
Today, it is synonymous with relaxation and leisure or even a fashion accessory.
In Mauléon, you will find many espadrille factories that you can visit
and do some shopping there.
In the Mountains
In Haute Soule, there are many unmissable places to visit, for sports enthusiasts and those less sporty.
The Chapel of the Madeleine, to contemplate the landscape, go hiking or do some aeromodeling.
The Holzarte Footbridge
The Verna cave, an exceptional geological site
The Iraty Forest, the largest beech forest in Europe
And in Bearn
The station of La Pierre Saint Martin
