Visit Pimbo, the oldest and one of the smallest fortified towns in the Landes

Pimbo (pronounced pin-bo) is located at the gates of Béarn, facing the foothills of the Pyrenees, high up. This strategic position explains why in this narrow place, on a long ridge, there is a charming little country house, which has a large collegiate church. Come and visit Pimbo which is located in the middle of cornfields, sunflowers and the Tursan vineyards. It won't take you long, but will leave you with a nice memory and the opportunity to meet pilgrims, many on this stage of the via podiensis (Puy-en-Velay route).

Photos from the report: Landes Guide

Pimbo, the oldest fortified town in the Landes

If the creation of the small town is attributed to the date of 777 and to Charlemagne (returning from Spain), it was in 1268 that the bastide was founded around its collegiate church of Saint-Barthélemy. It was a paréage contract (a sort of alliance granting development rights) concluded between the Abbot of Pimbo and a seneschal of Gascony acting on behalf of the English (Aquitaine was then divided) and Henry III, King of England, which gave birth to the bastide. Why here? Because Pimbo is placed in a strategic position, facing Béarn and high up to observe potential enemies in the surrounding area! A fortified castle (the Château de Barène) was also built at the same time. The wars of religion led to the bastide and its heritage being ransacked in 1569, then to the Revolution in 1789.

Today, Pimbo remains an important stopover on the road to Santiago de Compostela, as it has been since the ^10th century. Pilgrims stop in the pretty stopover village, which consists of only one street ! It is the oldest fortified town in the Landes, but it is not this title that attracts them, it is the collegiate church of Saint-Barthélemy, a Romanesque church of monumental appearance (for such a small village). The village welcomes a large number of pilgrims (up to 13,000 per year) and this is what still keeps it alive. Stop for a drink or a meal at the Auberge Pimbo Gourmand, where you will often come across pilgrims seated at tables.

What to do and see in Pimbo and the surrounding area?

• Behind the church are the Jardins du Curé, a pretty flowery space with trees, enjoying a beautiful view of the Gabas valley and if it is clear, the Pyrenees.
• Walking to or from Pimbo? A sign will indicate 2 trails : the Sensacq loop, 9.3 km (about 3 hours 15), and the Pyrenees loop, 4.1 km (about 2 hours). You can also walk the Coteau du Moulin , a botanical trail in a Natura 2000 area.
• Visit Hagetmau , a few kilometers away!
• The beautiful spa town of Eugénie-les-bains is not far away, for a moment of relaxation in its pretty gardens
• Read our article on the arenas and the Landes race , a strong tradition in the region
  
  

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