At the foot of the Pyrenees, Jurançon wines are made as still white wines. They can be dry or sweet and come from local grape varieties, especially petit manseng and gros manseng.
Those choosing Jurançon as a travel destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Wine and Local History
The municipality of Jurançon, which gave the wine its name, now encompasses 125 hectares of vineyards within the approximately 1,350-hectare Jurançon AOC area, which extends across around 20 municipalities. The Vinothèque des Vignerons du Jurançon presents more than 120 wines from independent winemakers as well as local products; advice and tastings are also available there.
The name “Bi de Rey” refers to the baptism of Henry IV in 1553, during which some garlic and a drop of Jurançon were rubbed onto his lips.
Trails and River Landscape
In Jurançon, the Gave forms the northern municipal boundary. Its banks are part of the Parc Naturel Urbain des rives du Gave, within which blue and green paths run through the agglomeration. Swimming in the Gave at Jurançon is expressly prohibited.
The one-hour circular walk “Sur les berges du Gave” follows the Gave, crosses to the opposite bank via a footbridge, and returns to the starting point via Pont d’Espagne. “La boucle du Vert-Galant” also takes one hour: it follows the Chemin Soubacq alongside the railway line, crosses the railway line, and returns to the starting point via the Chemin du Vert-Galant.
The 45-minute circular walk “La boucle du Néez” leads from the old Prado district at Place Lamazouère along the right bank of the Néez to Lycée Professionnel André Campa, circles the educational institution there, and returns to the starting point along the opposite bank. Hiking trails run through the area of the hamlet of Chapelle de Rousse.
Market and Festivals
The Jurançon market takes place every Friday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Place du Junqué. It offers fresh food, fish, meat and sausages, organic products, poultry, cheese from the valleys, pastries and wines, as well as household goods and clothing.
The Fêtes de la Chapelle de Rousse take place every year at the end of July.
Visits at Clos Lapeyre
Clos Lapeyre has a freely accessible viticulture educational trail. The wine cellars and a small museum can also be visited there; a tasting can be arranged afterward on request.
