Musée d'Arudy
Museum of the Ossau valley housed in a 17th-century secular abbey, covering archaeology, folk traditions and nature.
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About the museum
The Musée d’Arudy opened in 1972 in the former secular abbey, also called the Hôtel Pouts, a 17th-century noble house near the Saint-Germain church. Under the Ancien Régime, it was the residence of the layman responsible for collecting the tithe and proposing the appointment of the parish priest. The house remained in the Labarthe family through marriage for more than two centuries, until the Revolution. It is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments (Inventaire supplémentaire des monuments historiques); visitors can admire its façade, its roof frame, its roof and two carved-wood fireplaces in the baroque and classical styles.
The museum presents the archaeology of the Ossau valley, with Neanderthal stone axes, Magdalenian spear points, parts of Neolithic sickles, and bones of bison, cave bears and woolly rhinoceroses. It also covers the arts and folk traditions of the valley (shepherds, quarry workers, festivals, costumes, music), as well as the natural riches of the Pyrenees National Park: geology, fauna and flora.
Highlights
- 17th-century secular abbey, listed historic monument
- Archaeology of the Ossau valley: Neanderthal stone tools, Magdalenian spear points
- Bones of bison, cave bears and woolly rhinoceroses
- Shepherd and quarry-worker traditions of the valley
- Geology, fauna and flora of the Pyrenees National Park
Permanent exhibitions
- Archéologie de la vallée d'Ossau – Neanderthal stone tools, Magdalenian spear points, parts of Neolithic sickles and Ice Age animal bones.
- Arts et traditions populaires de la vallée d'Ossau – Life of the shepherds and quarry workers, with their festivals, rituals, costumes and music.
- Richesses naturelles du Parc national – Presentation of the geology, fauna and flora of the Pyrenees National Park.
- Founded
- 1972
- Operated by
- Commune d'Arudy (musée municipal)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €3Students, job seekers and people under 18 |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Reduced rate for people under 18. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Flat rate of €50 for an adult group (10 to 30 people) and €30 for a children’s group (10 to 30 children). Group accompanying adults are admitted free. |
| Adult group flat rate (10 to 30 people) | €50 |
| Children’s group flat rate (10 to 30 children) | €30 |
Payment in cash or by cheque made out to the Trésor Public.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
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- Family tours & workshops
In October 2025 the museum offered a Halloween visit by torchlight, followed by a creative workshop.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Outside school holidays and the summer season, visits are by reservation only for groups of at least 8 people, by phone at +33 5 59 05 61 71 or by email at contact@musee-ossau.fr. |
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