Museums in the Aure valley in the Pyrenees
The Aure valley and its museums
In the valley where Le Ruisseau, your campsite in the High Pyrenees, is located, in addition to hiking and sporting activities, you can also enjoy cultural activities in the Pyrenees in the Aure valley.
The Vielle-Aure Mine Museum
In Saint-Lary, come and discover the Vieille Aure mine, just 6 kms from your campsite, and immerse yourself in the special world of mining. Opened in 1845, the manganese mine was home to many miners until 1920, when it was abandoned. 100,000 tons of ore were produced here. A perfect example of a mountain mine, this one extends over 320 m of galleries.
A unique experience
Thanks to an educational trail with a soundtrack explaining how the mine worked, you can relive the stages of the work, from searching for the ore, to digging the galleries, to building a rail track to evacuate the manganese with waggons. This work was mainly carried out by children.
As for the adults, their task was to drill interior shafts to find new veins, using picks or sticks of dynamite which were simultaneously ignited to the cry of: gare à la mine! ‘. In simulation, the sound of the explosion is heard during your visit, and the realism is enhanced by wax figures…
Open to all
This mecca for mineralogy is unique in the Pyrenees.
The mine’s exterior has been preserved and rehabilitated, with a sound-and-light tour featuring commentary in French, English and Spanish. The museum also exhibits mineralogical curiosities and collections of objects and documents.
For further information, please contact
Parc national des Pyrénées, D123, 65170 Vielle-Aure, France
Tel : 05.62.39.46.19
La Cidrerie d’Ancizan
In a building adjoining the Aure Valley Museum in Ancizan, 5 km from your campsite, you’ll discover the décor of an Auroise farm as it was in the 19th century. The Cidrerie d’Ancizan is the first artisanal cider-maker in the Bigorre to revive this activity, an old Pyrenean tradition. It produces Poumado dry cider. During your visit, you’ll learn how bees contribute to the production cycle by pollinating the apple blossoms, thanks to guided projections. You’ll also be shown traditional antique tools.
At the end of the tour, you’ll be offered a tasting of 100% pure apple juice, dry cider and aniseed-flavoured apple liqueur!
For further information, please contact
Cidrerie d’Ancizan
Rue de l’Arbizon 65440 Ancizan
Tel: 05 62 39 97 61
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