Maison du Barétous

About the museum

The Maison du Barétous in Arette offers an immersion in the identity of the Barétous valley through its history, traditions and distinctive features. Ten staged and interactive areas present the underground cave network of the Pierre Saint-Martin, the Verna cave, the 1967 earthquake in Arette, a collection of old wooden and stone objects, pastoralism, the history of the valley’s inhabitants and that of the musketeers.

The route is organised around major themes: “the valley in motion” presents the Barétous and the Spanish Roncal valley; “the earth in motion” is devoted to speleology and seismology; “tradition in motion” brings together old objects and shows rural life and the trades of yesterday and today; “people in motion” tells a borderless history built with the Spanish neighbours and celebrated every year with the treaty of the Junte de Roncal.

The musketeers have a special place there: Tréville was born in Oloron and Aramis is linked to the village of the same name in the Barétous valley. The 1967 earthquake, the most powerful of the 20th century in metropolitan France, deeply affected the village. The Maison du Barétous is part of the Réseau d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine.

Highlights

• Ten staged and interactive areas on the Barétous valley
• Underground cave network of the Pierre Saint-Martin and the Verna cave
• 1967 earthquake in Arette
• Collection of old wooden and stone objects and pastoral life
• Area devoted to the musketeers of the Barétous

Permanent exhibitions

• La terre en mouvement – Area devoted to speleology, the underground cave network of the Pierre Saint-Martin and seismology, with the history of the 1967 earthquake.
• La tradition en mouvement – Collection of old objects and presentation of rural life and trades in the Barétous.
• Les hommes en mouvement et les mousquetaires – History of the valley’s inhabitants, of the links with the Spanish Roncal valley, and an area on the musketeers of the Barétous.

Admission & discounts

Payment by bank card, cheque or cash. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is adapted to all types of disability and holds the Tourisme & Handicap label (hearing, intellectual, motor and visual). The reception and toilets are shared with those of the Post Office and meet accessibility standards: counter at an adapted height, induction loop, visual alarm light in the toilets, adapted toilet. A lift gives access to the floors. Interactive terminals are accessible at wheelchair height, with many written documents and a general document in Braille.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Playful and interactive resources make it possible to share a moment across generations. Workshops for children are offered, and the museum is accessible by stroller.

Getting there & parking

Access via the D132 and D918 roads. Pau-Pyrénées airport and the A64/A65 motorway are 55 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop, screening room and picnic area. A 200 m² meeting room (Salle Barétous Roncal) is also available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Barétous Roncal meeting room of 200 m², equipped with internet access, a screen, a computer, a flipchart and a projector.

Plan your visit