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In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, you’ll discover legendary caves and unique museums, and delight in the local specialties.

NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE - EN

The little town of Monein is emblematic of the Bearnaise spirit. Its church, market hall, and Basque celebrations offer immediate charm. All around, the landscapes vary from vineyards to orchards. Several walking circuits depart from this spot. Another fun way to explore is to engage in the local geocaching-inspired treasure hunt. Download the free smartphone application Terra Aventura and choose your circuit by theme. Solve the riddles to get the GPS coordinates that lead to a treasure. Kids will be fully invested in the pursuit. For more information, please consult [terra-aventura.fr](http://terra-aventura.fr). A 30-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Pau Palais des Sports. **©Istock by Gettyimages**

Monein

This was the favorite white wine of Henri IV, and it remains the pride of Pau. Don’t miss La Cave de Gan – Jurançon. Enjoy a free tour of the establishment, including the press and semi-underground cellars, and savor a taste of the wine. This is an opportunity to learn about the long history of this wine estate and to admire the Gallo-Roman mosaics discovered in Jurançon which demonstrate how far back the wine tradition here dates. The cellar is a departure point for the  "Route des Vins de Jurançon” wine route. For more information, please consult [cavedejurancon.com](http://cavedejurancon.com) A 20-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Pau Palais des Sports. **@Cavedejurancon.com/Wikimedia Commons**

Caves de Jurançon

In the springtime, Musée des beaux-arts de Pau inaugurated a new circuit to explore its fine arts collections. For it, the curators chose the theme of Voyage. In particular, the travels of artists, reflecting the 18th- and 19th-century tradition known as the Grand Tour. Other works evoke the voyages of traders and religious pilgrims in medieval times. A fascinating tour! For more information, please consult  <https://mba-pau.opacweb.fr/fr/> . A 12-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Pau Palais des Sports. **@StockSnap/Pixabay**

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau

Get ready for an incredible underground experience: the Bétharram caves are considered the most beautiful in all of Europe. They are instructive, too... Through their variety and extensiveness, they recount the geological formation of nearly every cave on the planet! There is a touch of Jules Verne adventure in this exploration. The voyage to the center of the earth lasts an hour and a half, including portions on foot, on a boat, and on a little train. For more information, please consult [www.betharram.com/](http://www.betharram.com/). A 30-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Pau Palais des Sports and a 15-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Lourdes Imperial. **@Otidea/Office de tourisme de Lourdes**

Grottes de Bétharram

Get ready for a gourmet immersion in the Pyrenees culinary heritage. Enter the Coustalat family estate. A tour of the farm is free. For more than 20 years, the establishment has put all its energy into raising and preparing Noir de Bigorre pork, as well as fattened duck and pasture-grazed veal and beef. Having a look around the farm helps visitors understand what makes these rustic breeds distinctive. The highlight, of course, is tasting the products, not to mention taking home a few delectable items. For more information, please consult  [www.lavignecoise.com](http://www.lavignecoise.com). A 5-minute walk from Hotel Mercure Saint Lary. **©Istock by Gettyimages**

La Ferme Vignécoise

In the hillside Bearnais village called Lacommande, you’ll find a 12th-century Commanderie. Several interesting, unusual activities await you here in this historical spot. For example, you'll find an anechoic chamber: a silent room like none other in Europe! Enter into the silence and fall into the tranquil pace of the Béarn. But that’s just one step among others along the way. The trip here is a complete sensory voyage. Let yourself be surprised! For more information, please consult [www.commanderie-lacommande.fr](http://www.commanderie-lacommande.fr). A 27-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Pau Palais des Sports. **@Wikimedia Commons**

NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE - EN

La Ferme Vignécoise

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau

Caves de Jurançon

Grottes de Bétharram

Monein

Commanderie de Lacommande