Eaux-Bonnes is a spa town in the west Pyrenees, south of Pau and at the southern end of the Valley d'Ossau, one of the most important valleys across the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department.
Explore Eaux-Bonnes
France This Way review: the town of Eaux-Bonnes is very typical of spa towns in the Pyrenees, and although it is a quiet town it has several interesting sights and a visit is recommended when you are in this region or en route to explore the mountains
The town centre in Eaux-Bonnes is a large open square with tall houses and hotels along both sides, typically built in the 1860s, and a garden area in the centre. Overall this creates a charming town centre, although some of the buildings are in a poor state and look better from a distance!
On a raised platform overlooking the square, the casino was built in the 1870s and is an impressive example of belle epoque architecture. The area in front of the casino has the best view across the centre of the town. The Eaux-Bonnes tourist office is in the square below the casino.
Elsewhere in the town you will notice several other grand villas dating from the same period, such as the Villa Meunier at the start of the road that leads to the Col d'Aubisque and the Villa Excelsior at the start of the Promenade de l'Impératrice.
The church, the town hall for Eaux-Bonnes and the thermal centre are in a separate area to the south of the main square. The thermal centre has recently been refurbished and is a modern building, clad in wood and with a large transparent dome on top.
Although there are not many shops here (more, including a supermarket, can be found in Laruns a few kilometres to the north) there is a cafe in the Place de la Poste. From the rear of the Place de la Poste you can see along the Rue de la Cascade, a street with tall 19th century houses along both sides.
Promenade horizontale in Eaux-Bonnes
From in front of the casino you can follow a promenade through the countryside that is about four kilometres long and does not have much level change (hence why it is called the promenade horizontale), so this ideal if you want to see beautiful scenery but don't want to set off on a mountain trail.
This trail was established in 1842 so that visitors to the thermal springs of the town could take a leisurely walk, and some of the impressive trees planted at that time can still be seen. It is 3800 metres long and takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete.
Along the route of the promenade horizontale you have a view across the town of Laruns in the valley below and also a view of the small village of Aas on the hill opposite. Sport enthusiasts will discover various challenges along part of the route which is also classed as a "parcours sportif" (sports route).
The small ski resort of Gourette is a few kilometres along the road that leads to the Col d'Aubisque and is part of the commune of Eaux-Bonnes.
Attractions nearby
Close to the centre of Eaux-Bonnes there is an accrobranche centre called La Forêt Suspendue where you and your children can enjoy a "circuit des tyrolienne" (zipline adventures) in the treetops.
If you follow the road to Aas, although there are trees along most of the route there are several places (for example at Surcou about one kilometre from the town centre) where you have a nice global view across the rooftops of Eaux-Bonnes.
To the north of Eaux-Bonnes you can visit the small town of Laruns as part of your tour of the Valley d'Ossau.
If you follow the road to the east of the town through Gourette you reach the Col d'Aubisque, the first in a sequence of important mountain passes that you will have seen if you watch the Tour de France: best explored by bike but easier to explore by car!
One attraction in the valley is the Cascade de Ley, a waterfall that cascades 140 metres down a cliff: you can reach the waterfall from the Ley parking, just below Gourette, from where it is a very short walk.
Explore elsewhere in the Béarn. You can find more travel ideas in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Eaux-Bonnes
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Map of Eaux-Bonnes and places nearby
Visit near Eaux-Bonnes with France This Way reviews
Laruns
Laruns is a pretty village, but it is the surrounding mountain scenery that attracts most visitors here
Laruns guide
Col d'Aubisque
The Col d'Aubisque is a beautiful mountain pass with views of numerous high mountains in the Pyrenees
Col d'Aubisque guide
Gourette
Gourette s a small ski station on the route to the Col d'Aubisque near Eaux-Bonnes
Gourette guide
Pyrenees National Parc
The Pyrenees National Parc contains a great deal of the most beatiful mountain scenery in France
Pyrenees National Parc guide
Sarrance
The small village of Sarrance is in the valley of the Gave d'Aspe and has an interesting church to visit
Sarrance guide
Lescun
The village of Lescun is close to the Cirque de Lescun and other scenic highlights in the western pyrenees
Lescun guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Pyrenees-Atlantiques
Address: Eaux-Bonnes, Laruns, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Aquitaine, 64440, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 42.9739, longitude -0.390833
Plan your visit to Eaux-Bonnes, Pyrenees-Atlantiques
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Vallée d'Ossau: site of natural beauty (2 km)
- Col d'Aubisque: site of natural beauty (4 km)
- Cirque du Litor: site of natural beauty (9 km)
- Vallée d'Aspe: site of natural beauty (17 km)
- Zoo d'Asson: zoo or wildlife park (20 km)
- Grottes de Betharram: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Cirque du Lys: site of natural beauty (22 km)
- Cirque du Marcadau: site of natural beauty (23 km)
- Pont d'Espagne: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Eglise, Oloron-Sainte-Marie (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Oloron-Sainte-Marie: town of art and history (30 km)
- Cirque de Saint-Engrace: site of natural beauty (35 km)
The French version of this page is at Eaux-Bonnes (Francais)