The seigneurial estates

The Manor House of Momas

This former seigneurial residence is today not only a place of memory of undeniable historic interest, but it is also, thanks to the tenacity of Mrs Teillard, its owner, a place which has become a reference in terms of botany.

The gardens in this treasure trove of greenery are both breathtaking and rare: Breathtaking due to the beauty of the layout and rare due to the diversity and specific nature of the species from previous and current times which are on view and carefully looked after.

When to visit: On Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: In the afternoon, from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. - Can be visited on other days by appointment only From 1 April to 1 November: Guided tour of the parks and gardens of the castle For groups: Guided tour throughout the year by appointment Entrance fees: Adult: 5 € Free for under 12s Group rate for more than 10 people: 4 €
Contact details: Château de Momas 64230 Momas Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 77 14 71 Website: tourisme64.com How to get there: Situated 23 km from Pau, on the D945 minor road (la route départementale 945) Pau – Lescar – Sault-de-Navailles, then approximately 7 km, D201 minor road (la route départementale 201). Route signposted from the Pau-Pyrenees airport. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP

The Manor House of Mascaraàs

In the heart of the Pacherenc and the Vic-Bilh, in the Madiran vineyards, this fortified manor house from the Middle Ages became the hunting lodge of Jeanne d’Albret, Henry IV's mother.

In the 17th century, it was transformed into a lay abbey and barony.

The Manor House has kept a set of interior decorations from that time, with chimneys in Arudy marble, Italian-style decorations painted on the woodwork, paintings, Basque and Bearnese furniture, and also a library containing books with ancient and rare bookbindings, together with incunabulum engravings.

It is situated in a park covering 50 acres.

When to visit: From 15 May to 15 September: Guided tours available every day except on Tuesdays from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. For the remainder of the year: Guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Entraince fees: Full price: 6 € Children: 3 € Price for groups of more than 20 people: 5 €
Contact details: Château de Mascaraas 64330 Mascaraas Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 04 92 60 Website: tourisme64.com How to get there: Situated 41 km from Pau, on the RN134 main road (la route nationale 134) Pau – Aire-sur-l’Adour in the direction of Garlin, and then on the D16 minor road (la route départementale 16) and D104 minor road (Route départementale 104) CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP

The Manor House of Coarraze

Estate of the Barons of Coarraze and the d'Albret Miossens family where Henry IV spent part of his childhood.

Visit of the park and gardens. Partial visit of the inside of the manor house.

Library, Henry IV's room, reception rooms and sitting rooms.

Visit of the 14th century tower.

Renaissance style entrance portal.

When to visit: Summer 2007: from 14 July to 21 August, from 2.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Groups: by appointment only Visits last for 90 minutes Entrance fees: Free of charge Contact details: Château de Coarraze 7bis, rue des Pyrénées 64800 Coarraze Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 61 10 27 Website: Office de tourisme de la plaine de Nay How to get there: Situated 22 km from Pau, via the road from Pau to Lourdes via Bétharram. Centre of the village of Coarraze. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP