The Basque Country Cheese Route, an enchanting road trip around Ossau Iraty
The Basque Country Cheese Route, an enchanting road trip around Ossau Iraty
3,3 km - Larceveau-Arros-Cibits
Food Lovers
-
English
-
GOURMET STOPOVERS
DISCOVER THE OSSAU-IRATY PDO CHEESE ROUTE
Do you love cheese ? We'll take you on a journey through the land of sheep on the Ossau-Iraty PDO cheese route. Embark on a gourmet road trip that will take you to meet the people who make this cheese, typical of the Basque region.
Discovering a local product
This gourmet getaway through the Basque Country will allow you to discover the distinctive characteristics of Ossau-Iraty AOP Basque: an often drier texture and a distinct taste. It will also be an opportunity for you to discover the ancestral know-how behind this production. You can choose your stops to meet a producer, visit a cheese dairy or winery, visit a shop, or meet the shepherds and their pastoral traditions.
Ossau-Iraty: a traditional cheese
Ossau-Iraty AOP is a sheep's milk cheese inherited from age-old pastoral traditions. Its producers have come together under the AOP sign, Protected Designation of Origin . This is a quality mark that regulates production, certifies a manufacturing process, and assures you that sheep, breeders, producers, cheese dairies and refiners are all located in a well-defined area, the Basque part of which we invite you to discover.
An original visit to the Basque Country for lovers of the region
From Labourd to Lower Navarre via Soule with the famous
Pic d'Orhy , create the trip that suits you to discover the AOP Ossau-Iraty in the exceptional setting of the Basque Country . Don't hesitate any longer and come visit the land of sheep and its gourmet stops on this cheese route which will enrich your visits to the region by adding a gourmet touch .
Indeed, whether you are close to the coast like in Urrugne, Ascain or Saint Pée , visiting Espelette or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port , or even in the heart of the Basque mountains or at the top of the Pyrenean passes, there are bound to be one or two stops less than fifteen minutes away !Focus on the events of the Ossau-Iraty AOP Cheese Route 2024 in the Basque Country
Visit the farm
- JORAJURIA FARM in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage no. 3). Farm tours by reservation. 06 38 56 51 62
- ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (stopover 8). Free tasting of various cheeses. From spring, you can get up close to the sheep grazing nearby. Self-guided tours of the farm are available during shop opening hours (bring your shoes!). 06 45 56 26 39
- ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stopover 11). During school holidays: farm tours for groups of around ten people (lasting 15 to 30 minutes). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
- ONETIK CHEESE FACTORY in Macaye (stopover 19). Farm tour and tasting. Every Thursday in July and August. Meet at the Onerik cheese factory at 10 a.m. Free upon reservation at 05 59 70 27 27 or onetik@onetik.com. Without reservation, €2 on site (Free for children under 18). Duration of the farm tour: 2 hours. Upon return from the tour, a tasting offered at the shop. 05 59 70 27 27
- AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage n°20). Every day except Sunday, from 10am to 11:30am and from 2pm to 6pm, visit the farm with sheep farming, cheese processing, and outdoor Basque pig farming. Guided tours and product tastings are offered. By appointment from 15/11 to 15/03 and without appointment from 16/03 to 14/11. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
- TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stage no. 27). Farm tours on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. in summer, the rest of the year by reservation. Free access to the sheepfold, pig shed, etc. 06 32 34 26 99
- BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stage no. 36). Presentation of our farm, explanations of our way of life on the farm, presentation of our cheeses with tasting, from April to the end of October 06 07 50 05 48 - 06 07 50 05 48
- AMETZALDE FARM in Lasse (stage n°37). Free visit from July 1st to September 30th, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 3 p.m., by reservation (duration 2h30). History of the farm, presentation of the buildings and meadows, explanation of the work of the elders and comparison with our current way of working, meeting with the animals, explanations of cheese making (from the milking parlor to the salting room), visit of the salting room and friendly tasting. 06 32 94 19 97 - 06 32 94 19 97
- ARGAIA FARM in Arnéguy (stage no. 41). Farm tours by reservation. 05 59 37 06 65 - 05 59 37 06 65
- XALTROINIA FARM in Arnéguy (stopover 42). Farm tours by reservation. 06 71 29 11 18 - 06 71 29 11 18
- ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage no. 52). By appointment 07 60 40 56 14 - 07 60 40 56 14
- BEIRA FARM in Mendive (stage no. 55). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
- IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stage n°57). Tours: Dominique and Guy-Michel organize group tours, free upon reservation. They hope to give you a special experience by getting back to basics: nature, animals, human relationships. They offer you the chance to discover the farming profession, sharing their knowledge, their know-how, and their environment. All tours are by reservation only. Average duration 1h15. Two options: 1. All year round, group tours and bus tours with tastings. Explanations on the management of local breed herds, making farm products (visit to the sheepfold, production room, ripening cellar, outdoor pig pens, etc.) 2. In the summer season (from 01/07 to 24/08), Thursdays at 5 p.m., open to families. - Discovery of the farm animals - Driving the flock of sheep to the sheepfold with us - Visit to the cheese cellar - During the milking season: children can participate - Visit the Basque pigs in the open air Entertainment: Participatory cheese-making workshop (from January to the end of June). For two adults. By reservation. Duration 2h30. €15/person. 06 74 00 40 69
- LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stopover no. 61). Farm tours by reservation. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
- HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stopover no. 62). Farm tours by appointment. 05 59 37 68 12 - 05 59 37 68 12
- OIHANARTIA ETXALDEA FARM in Ibarrolle (stage no. 69). By appointment 05 59 37 82 10 - 05 59 37 82 10
- AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). Self-guided tour on site or guided tour by appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
- ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stopover no. 74). Farm tours by appointment. 06 89 31 32 87
- HOBIAGUE FARM in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage no. 86). 05 59 28 03 88 - 05 59 28 03 88
- AGIA FARM in Tardets (stopover 91). Farm tours by appointment. 06 79 91 37 64
Attend the milking
- ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stage 11). By reservation only: possibility of attending milking around 5 p.m./6 p.m. until the end of May, then from June around 10 a.m./11 a.m. until the end of the dairy campaign. 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
- AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stopover 20). You can watch the milking from December to June (meet at 5 p.m.). 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
- TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stage no. 27). Free without appointment (5:30 p.m.). 06 32 34 26 99
- ELURTI FARM in Ascarat (stage no. 38). You can attend the evening milking from February 15 to June 30 (6 p.m.). 06 76 23 97 09
- ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage no. 52). Evening milking, by appointment until the end of June (5:30 p.m.). 07 60 40 56 14 - 07 60 40 56 14
- IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stage no. 57). During milking season, Thursdays at 6 p.m. as part of organized tours. 06 74 00 40 69
- LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). Around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (from December to June) 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
- HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stage no. 62). Milking is possible from December 1st to August 10th, from 6 p.m. 05 59 37 68 12 - 05 59 37 68 12
- AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). By appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
- ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stopover #74). At 6:00 p.m. 06 89 31 32 87
Assist in the manufacturing
- ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). Possibility to attend/participate in the production (paid activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
- IRATI ORGANIC CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (stopover 53). Self-guided tour with audio guide via the gallery. Preferably in the morning. 09 71 16 06 18
- IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stage no. 57). From January to the end of June at 8 a.m. by reservation 06 74 00 40 69
- LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). All stages of production 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
- AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). By appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
- ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage no. 74). On request, for small groups (3 to 4 people max) 06 89 31 32 87
- OYHANBURIA FARM in Pagolle (stage no. 78). You can attend the production by appointment. 06 18 21 40 06
- JEAN-MICHEL ARMAGNAGUE in Idaux-Mendy (stopover 83). 3 or 4 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). By appointment. 06 83 17 43 37
- HOBIAGUE FARM in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage no. 86). 05 59 28 03 88 - 05 59 28 03 88
Attend the shearing
- ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (stage 8). Shearing takes place the last week of April (variable depending on the weather). 06 45 56 26 39
- AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage 20). Sheep shearing on April 4 and May 6 from 3 p.m. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
- LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). See the shearing and help collect the wool. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
- AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). By appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
See the dog's work
- ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). During school holidays: possibility of seeing the dog at work (paid activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
Visit an eco-museum
- AGOUR CHEESE FACTORY in Hélette (stopover 21). In July/August, every hour from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the rest of the year at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.: free tour of the Basque Museum of Pastoralism and Cheese. 05 59 37 63 86
- ETXOLA in Lecumberry (stage n°54). L'Etxola: open every day from June to October, come and discover the pastoralism discovery area at L'Etxola, on the Iraty plateau: reconstruction of a real kaiolar, panels, videos, real cheese maturing salting room! (children's area) 09 88 19 12 37
Visit a cheese factory
- BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stage no. 36). Presentation of our cheeses with tasting, from April to the end of October 06 07 50 05 48 - 06 07 50 05 48
- Fromagerie des Bergers de Saint-Michel in St-Michel (stopover 44). Visits to the cheese dairy are possible by appointment. 05 59 37 23 13
- ISTARA - PYRENEFROM CHEESE FACTORY in Larceveau (stage no. 67). Explanatory panels / educational area on the production of Ossau-Iraty cheese and a film on the production process. 05 59 37 96 79
- AZKORRIA COOPERATIVE in Musculdy (stage no. 79). Guided access to the visitor corridor for groups of at least 10 people. By appointment. 05 59 28 17 16
Discover life in the summer pastures
- ETXOLA in Lecumberry (stage n°54). In July/August, every Monday - 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: discussions with a shepherd. Come and meet a shepherd on the Iraty plateau. Find all the activities in Iraty and more information on the website: https://chalets-iraty.com/ 09 88 19 12 37
- BEIRA FARM in Mendive (stage no. 55). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
- AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). By appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
- ALGAR ETXEKI FARM in Ordiarp (stage 80). The shepherd will be happy to show you the life of our sheep in the summer pastures, which is also their vacation time, before starting a new cheese-making season. 07 87 99 37 35 - 07 87 99 37 35
Other animations
- OSSAU-IRATY PDO INTERPRETATION CENTER in Espelette (stopover 5). Guided tour of the interpretation center, video on the life of Ossau-Iraty PDO shepherds and cheesemakers, and tasting. Cheese is occasionally sold when a producer is present. 05 59 55 12 24
- AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stopover 20). Groups and business seminars welcome by reservation, and meals are available on site. Educational farm. Campervan rentals and picnic area. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
- IRATI ORGANIC CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (stopover 53). July/August: Lunch in Irati. Come and enjoy lunch in the heart of an exceptional panorama every lunchtime with a panoramic view of the valley. We offer cheese and charcuterie platters made by Agour as well as our sheep's milk ice cream. 09 71 16 06 18
- GOHETXEA, FARMERS' STORE in Trois-Villes (stop 93). Friendly time on July 27th from 6 p.m. 07 50 57 85 72 - 07 50 57 85 72
Registration is sometimes required before your visit, and some require a fee. Contact details and opening hours can be found on the Ossau-Iraty AOP website or in the Cheese Route guide, which you can download here. The guide is also available at tourist offices throughout the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and at the various stops along the way.
-
- Français
- Español
- Deutsch
- Euskara
