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
Gourmande
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English
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GOURMET STOPOVERS
Do you like cheese? We take you to discover the country of the sheep on the Ossau-Iraty AOP cheese route. Embark on a gourmet road-trip that will take you to meet those who make this cheese typical of the Basque region.
DISCOVER THE PDO OSSAU-IRATY CHEESE ROUTE
Discovering a local product
This gourmet escapade through the Basque Country will allow you to discover the typical characteristics of Ossau-Iraty AOP Basque: an often drier paste and a frank taste. It will also be an opportunity for you to discover the ancestral know-how behind this production. You can choose your stages to meet a producer, visit a cheese dairy or a cellar, go to 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 sign of quality that regulates production, certifies a manufacturing process, and ensures that sheep, breeders, producers, cheese factories 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 land
From Labourd to Lower Navarre via Soule with the famous Pic d'Orhy, compose the trip that suits you to meet the AOP Ossau-Iraty in the exceptional setting of the Basque Country. Do not hesitate any longer and come and visit the country of the sheep and its gourmet stages on this cheese route which will enrich your visits to the territory 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 stages within fifteen minutes!
Zoom on the animations of the Route du Fromage AOP Ossau-Iraty 2023 in the Basque CountryVisit a farm
JEAN-PASCAL JORAJURIA in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage 4).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 05 59 54 56 45 - 06 38 56 51 62
+ info
NICOLAS DOKHELAR in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage 5).
Visit of the farm and the sheepfold from Monday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 06 47 52 81 76
+ info
AINTZINAT FARM in Sare (stage 7).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 07 87 51 62 44
+ info
ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (step 12).
From spring, you can get close to the sheep grazing nearby.
Possibility to make a free visit of the farm… (come with shoes!). 06 45 56 26 39
+ info
ARTZAINAK FARM at La Bastide Clairence (stage 16).
Visit of the farm during school holidays for groups of around ten people (duration 15 to 30 min).
By reservation: possibility of attending the milking around 5/6 p.m. until the end of May then from June around 10/11 a.m. until the end of the dairy campaign.
Opportunity to attend/participate in the production (paying), see the work of the dog (paying / school holidays only). 05 59 29 12 83 - 07 49 47 87 48
+ info
ONETIK CHEESE FACTORY in Macaye (step 23).
Farm visit (2h) and free tasting every Thursday in July and August at 10am.
Free on reservation by phone or e-mail. Without reservation: €2 (free for children under 18). 05 59 70 27 27
+ info
FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage 24).
Visit every day except Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
By appointment from 15/11 to 15/03 and without appointment from 16/03 to 14/11.
Possibility to attend the milking from December to June (appointment at 5 p.m.).
Sheep shearing on April 4 and May 2 from 3 p.m.
Reception of groups on reservation and possibility of meals on site.
Reception of camper vans and picnic area. 05 59 29 45 39 - 07 60 01 10 65
+ info
TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baigorry (stage 30).
Visits to the farm on Fridays at 10.30 am in summer, the rest of the year by reservation.
Free access to the sheepfold, pig shack… 06 32 34 26 99
+ info
PAXKAL SORHONDO to Banca (stage 33).
For a tailor-made visit and nature walks with the sheep, you can make an appointment with Paxkal.
He will share with you his passion, his secrets and his daily life as a shepherd. Young and old alike will be seduced. 06 88 32 99 37
+ info
ITHURRIETA FARM in Les Aldudes (stage 37).
Free visit from 1/07 to 30/09 on Wednesdays at 10am by reservation.
Possibility of receiving groups (> 10 people) between April and November by reservation. 06 42 82 52 04
+ info
BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stage 39).
Visit in spring and summer by reservation. 06 07 50 05 48 - 06 76 60 77 13
+ info
AMETZALDE FARM in Lasse (stage 40).
Free visit from 1/07 to 30/09, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 3 p.m., by reservation (duration: 2.5 hours). 06 32 94 19 97
+ info
KATTIN CAMINO - ARGAIA FARM in Arnéguy (stage 45).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 05 59 37 06 65 - 06 22 97 49 37
+ info
ETCHEVERRIA-FALSA PEIO to Arnéguy (stage 46).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 06 71 29 11 18 - 06 52 86 67 95
+ info
JON PAULERENA to Esterençuby (stage 52).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 07 62 71 35 38
+ info
ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage 57).
Visit of the farm by reservation. 07 60 40 56 14 - 05 59 37 57 18
+ info
BEIRA FARM at Plateau d'Iraty in Mendive (stage 60).
Possibility to visit the hut (by reservation for groups).
Denise will offer you a tasting and sells her farmhouse AOP Ossau-Iraty cheeses directly. 06 20 91 97 12
+ info
DOMINIQUE & GUY-MICHEL IDIART at Bustince-Iriberry (stage 64).
Visits: Dominique and Guy-Michel organize group visits (children, adults) by reservation.
They hope to make you live a privileged moment by returning to the essentials: nature, animals, human relations.
They offer you the discovery of the farming profession, a sharing of their knowledge, their know-how and their environment.
All visits are by reservation only.
Average duration 1h15.
Two options:
1 - All year round, reception of groups and bus with tasting (paying visit). Explanations on the management of herds of local breeds, production of farm products (visit to the sheepfold, production room, maturing cellar, open-air pig pens, etc.).
2 - In the summer season (from 01/07 to 31/08), Thursday at 5 p.m., free visit, open to families.
- Discovery of farm animals
- Driving the flock of sheep to the sheepfold in our company
- Visit to the cheese cellar
- During sheep milking: participation of children
- Visit of the Basque pigs in the open air Animation: Participatory cheese-making workshop (from January to the end of June).
For two adults. By reservation. Duration 2h30. 15 €/person. 05 59 37 13 42 - 06 74 00 40 69+ info
LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage 68).
Visits to the farm by reservation. 05 59 37 68 81 - 06 84 34 72 36
+ info
ELORIE ELICETCHE to Iholdy (stage 69).
Visit of the farm by appointment. 05 59 37 68 12 - 06 40 37 31 93
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78).
Free visit on site or accompanied by appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
+ info
ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage 82).
Visit of the farm by appointment. 06 89 31 32 87
+ info
AGIA FARM in Tardets (stage 96).
Visit of the farm by appointment. 06 79 91 37 64
+ infoAssist in milking
ARTZAINAK FARM at La Bastide Clairence (stage 16).
Attend the milking by reservation only: possibility of attending the milking around 5/6 p.m. until the end of May then from June around 10/11 a.m. until the end of the dairy campaign. 05 59 29 12 83 - 07 49 47 87 48
+ info
FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage 24).
Possibility to attend the milking from December to June (appointment at 5 p.m.) 05 59 29 45 39 - 07 60 01 10 65
+ info
TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baigorry (stage 30).
Free without appointment (5:30 p.m.). 06 32 34 26 99.
+ info
ELURTI FARM in Ascarat (stage 41).
Opportunity to attend the evening milking from February 15 to June 30 (6 p.m.). 06 76 23 97 09
+ info
ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage 57).
Evening milking, by appointment until the end of June (5.30 p.m.). 07 60 40 56 14 - 05 59 37 57 18
+ info
DOMINIQUE & GUY-MICHEL IDIART at Bustince-Iriberry (stage 64).
During the milking season on Thursdays at 6 p.m. as part of organized visits. 05 59 37 13 42 - 06 74 00 40 69
+ info
LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage 68).
Around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (December to June). 05 59 37 68 81 - 06 84 34 72 36
+ info
ELORIE ELICETCHE to Iholdy (stage 69).
Opportunity to attend the milking from December 1 to August 10, from 6 p.m. 05 59 37 68 12 - 06 40 37 31 93.
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78).
Possibility to attend milking by appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
+ info
ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage 82).
Opportunity to attend the milking at 6 p.m. 06 89 31 32 87.
+ infoAssist in production
ARTZAINAK FARM at La Bastide Clairence (stage 16).
Opportunity to assist/participate in production (paying activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 07 49 47 87 48
+ info
IRATI ECOLOGICAL CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (stage 58).
Self-guided and audio-guided visit via the visit gallery. Preferably in the morning. 09 71 16 06 18
+ info
DOMINIQUE & GUY-MICHEL IDIART at Bustince-Iriberry (stage 64).
From January to the end of June at 8 am on reservation. 05 59 37 13 42 / 06 74 00 40 69
+ info
LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage 68).
Opportunity to attend the production. 05 59 37 68 81 - 06 84 34 72 36
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78).
On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
+ info
ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage 82).
On request, for small groups (3 to 4 people max). 06 89 31 32 87
+ info
OYHANBURIA FARM TO Pagolle (stage 84).
Possibility to attend the production by appointment. 06 18 21 40 06
+ info
JEAN-MICHEL ARMAGNAGUE to Idaux-Mendy (stage 88).
3 or 4 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). On appointment. 06 83 17 43 37
+ info
HOBIAGUE FARM in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage 91). 05 59 28 03 88 / 06 08 40 34 47
+ infoAssist with mowing
FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage 24).
Sheep shearing on April 4 and May 2 from 3 p.m. 05 59 29 45 39 - 07 60 01 10 65
+ info
LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage 68).
Opportunity to attend mowing and help pick up the wool. 05 59 37 68 81 - 06 84 34 72 36
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78).
On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
+ infoSee the work of the dog
NICOLAS DOKHELAR in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage 5).
Assist with dog work Monday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 06 47 52 81 76.
+ info
ARTZAINAK FARM at La Bastide Clairence (stage 16).
During school holidays: possibility to see the work of the dog (paid activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 07 49 47 87 48
+ infoVisit an eco-museum
OSSAU-IRATY AOP INTERPRETATION CENTER in Espelette (step 9).
Guided tour of the interpretation centre, video on the life of Ossau-Iraty PDO shepherds and cheese makers and tasting.
Sale of cheese on an ad hoc basis when a producer is present. 05 59 37 86 61
+ info
FROMAGERIE AGOUR in Hélette (stage 25).
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 visit to the Basque museum of pastoralism and cheese. 05 59 37 63 86
+ info
ETXOLA Chalet from Iraty-Cize to Lecumberry (stage 59).
L'Etxola: open every day from June to October, come and discover the space for discovering pastoralism at Etxola, on the Iraty plateau: reconstruction of a real kaiolar, panels, videos, real refining salt room cheeses ! (children's area). 09 88 19 12 37
+ infoVisit a cheese factory
FROMAGERIE DES BERGERS DE SAINT-MICHEL in St-Michel (stage 43).
Visit of the cheese dairy possible by appointment. 05 59 37 23 13
+ info
AZKORRIA COOPERATIVE in Musculdy (stage 85).
Commented access to the visit corridor for groups of at least 10 people. On appointment. 05 59 28 17 16
+ infoDiscover life in the mountain pastures
ETXOLA Chalet from Iraty-Cize to Lecumberry (stage 59).
In July/August, every Monday from 9:30 am to 11 am: talks with a shepherd on the Iraty plateau (free).
From mid-July to the end of August every Thursday from 10.30 am to 12 pm: discovery of mountain pasture cheese (€15/pers., free for children under 15).
In July/August every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: nature walk (free). Wednesday August 19 at 9 p.m.: nature walk (free).
Registration required - Limited to 15 people.
Find all the activities and more information on the site. 09 88 19 12 37
+ info
BEIRA FARM at Plateau d'Iraty in Mendive (stage 60).
Possibility of discovering life in the mountain pastures by appointment for groups.
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78).
On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
+ info
Registration is sometimes necessary before your visit and some are chargeable. Contact details and opening times can be viewed on the Ossau-Iraty AOP website or on the Cheese Route guide, which can be downloaded here. The guide is also available in the tourist offices of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the stages, and at the headquarters of the defense union of the AOP Ossau-Iraty.
On Friday August 4, 2023, many stages will organize a festive day. The animations will be different from one stage to another. A few examples: aperitif dinner, guided tour followed by lunch, musical entertainment...
Will participate in this day of August 4, in the Basque Country:
JEAN-PASCAL JORAJURIA in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage 4)
+ info
AINTZINAT FARM in Sare (step 7)
+ info
OSSAU-IRATY AOP INTERPRETATION CENTER in Espelette (stage 9)
05 59 37 86 61
+ info
JEAN-PAUL & JAMATTITT DUHALDE to Ayherre (stage 19)
06 83 59 12 75 - 06 30 33 47 05
+ info
ONETIK CHEESE FACTORY in Macaye (step 23)
05 59 70 27 27
+ info
AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stage 24)
05 59 29 45 39 - 07 60 01 10 65
+ info
AGOUR CHEESE FACTORY in Hélette (step 25)
05 59 37 63 86
+ info
TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baigorry (stage 30)
06 32 34 26 99
+ info
AMETZALDE FARM in Lasse (stage 40)
06 32 94 19 97
+ info
ELURTI FARM in Ascarat (stage 41)
06 76 23 97 09
+ info
IRATI ECOLOGICAL CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (step 58)
09 71 16 06 18
+ info
ETXOLA Chalet from Iraty-Cize to Lecumberry (stage 59)
09 88 19 12 37
+ info
BEIRA FARM at Plateau d'Iraty in Mendive (stage 60)
06 20 91 97 12
+ info
DOMINIQUE & GUY-MICHEL IDIART to Bustince-Iriberry (stage 64)
05 59 37 13 42 - 06 74 00 40 69
+ info
LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage 68)
05 59 37 68 81 - 06 84 34 72 36
+ info
ISTARA-PYRENEFROM CHEESE FACTORY in Larceveau (stage 71)
05 59 37 96 79
+ info
GARAT-BORDA FARM in Juxue (stage 74)
05 59 37 84 86 - 07 87 52 96 00
+ info
AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage 78)
06 72 36 91 91
+ info
OYHANBURIA FARM TO Pagolle (stage 84)
06 18 21 40 06
+ info
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