OSSAU-IRATY PDO Cheese Route Immerse yourself in the heart of the artisanal production of PDO cheese in Espelette

GOURMET STOPOVERS

Discover the Ossau-Iraty PDO cheese route

Do you love cheese ? We'll take you on a journey to discover sheep country along the Ossau-Iraty PDO cheese route. Embark on a gourmet road trip that will lead 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 unique characteristics of Ossau-Iraty PDO Basque cheese: a texture that is often drier and a pronounced flavor. It will also be an opportunity to discover the ancestral know-how behind its production. You can choose your stops to meet a producer, visit a cheese factory or cellar, browse in a shop, or meet the shepherds and learn about their pastoral traditions.

Ossau-Iraty: a traditional cheese

Ossau-Iraty AOP is a sheep's milk cheese with roots in millennia-old pastoral traditions. Its producers have joined forces under the AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) label. This quality mark regulates production, certifies the manufacturing process, and assures you that sheep, farmers, producers, cheese dairies, and affineurs are all located within a clearly defined area, the Basque portion of which we invite you to explore.

An original visit to the Basque Country for lovers of local produce

From Labourd to Lower Navarre, passing through Soule with the famous

Pic d'Orhy : create your own personalized getaway to discover the Ossau-Iraty PDO cheese in the exceptional setting of the Basque Country. Don't hesitate any longer and come visit the land of sheep and its gourmet stops along this cheese route, which will enrich your explorations of the region by adding a delicious 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 is bound to be one or two stops within fifteen minutes !

A closer look at the events along the Ossau-Iraty PDO Cheese Route in the Basque Country

• Farm visit

JORAJURIA FARM in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stop #4). Farm visits by reservation. 06 38 56 51 62
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ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (stop #10). Free tasting of various cheeses. From spring onwards, you can get close to the sheep grazing nearby. Self-guided tours of the farm are available during shop opening hours (wear shoes!). 06 45 56 26 39
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ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stop no. 13). During school holidays: farm visits for groups of about ten people (duration 15 to 30 minutes). 05 59 29 12 83
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ONETIK CHEESE FACTORY in Macaye (stop #21). Farm visit and tasting. Every Thursday in July and August. Meet at the Onetik cheese factory at 10:00 AM. Free with reservation at +33 5 59 70 27 27 or onetik@onetik.com. Without reservation, €2 on site (Free for under 18s). Farm visit duration: 2 hours. After the visit, a free tasting is offered in the shop. +33 5 59 70 27 27
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AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stop #24). From Monday to Saturday, visit the farm, which includes sheep farming, cheese making, and free-range Basque pig farming. Guided tours and product tastings are available by reservation on the website: www.agerria.fr. Prices: Child (5-14 years): €3.50, Adult: €6.50, Family (2 adults + 3 children): €20. Tel: +33 5 59 29 45 39
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TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stop #31). Farm visits on Fridays at 10:30 am in the summer, the rest of the year by reservation. Free access to the sheepfold, pigsty… 06 32 34 26 99
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BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stop #39). Presentation of our farm, explanation 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
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AMETZALDE FARM in Lasse (stop #40). Free tour from July 1st to September 30th, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 pm, by reservation only (duration 2.5 hours). History of the farm, presentation of the buildings and meadows, explanation of the work done by previous generations and a comparison with our current methods, meeting the animals, explanation of the cheese-making process (from the milking parlor to the salting room), visit to the salting room, and a friendly tasting. +33 6 32 94 19 97
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ARGAIA FARM in Arnéguy (stop no. 44). Farm visits by reservation. 05 59 37 06 65
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ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Béhorléguy (stop #54). Free with purchase. By appointment: 07 60 40 56 14
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BEIRA FARM in Mendive (stop no. 57). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
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IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stop #59). Group and bus visits (minimum 15 people): Dominique and Guy-Michel organize free group visits by reservation. They hope to offer you a special experience by returning to the essentials: nature, animals, and human connection. They invite you to discover the farming profession, sharing their knowledge, expertise, and environment. All visits are by reservation only at +33 6 74 00 40 69. Average duration: 1 hour 15 minutes. Program to be determined together: explanations on managing local breed herds, on the production of farm products... (visit to the sheepfold, production room, aging cellar, outdoor pig pens, etc.). Option: possibility of including a tasting of our products (cheese platters, charcuterie, and Basque pork products) in the visit. Quote upon request. Activity: Participatory cheese-making workshop (from January to the end of June). For two adults. Reservations required. Duration: 2.5 hours. €15 per person. 06 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stop no. 63). Farm visits by reservation. 05 59 37 68 81
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HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stop no. 64). Farm visits by appointment. 05 59 37 68 12
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OIHANARTIA ETXALDEA FARM in Ibarrolle (stop no. 71). By appointment only: 05 59 37 82 10
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stop no. 72). Self-guided tours available on site or guided tours by appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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Anchilia Farm in Hosta (stop no. 76). Farm visits by appointment. 06 89 31 32 87
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ITZALEA FARM in Lohitzun-Oyhercq (stop #78). Free farm visit, contact us by phone or on social media! Self-guided walk possible from the sheepfold to the pigpen, and picnic area by the river. +33 6 24 05 22 00
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HOBIAGUE FARM in Arrast-Larrebieu (stop no. 89). Farm visits by appointment. 05 59 28 03 88
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AGIA FARM in Tardets (stop no. 94). Farm visits by appointment. 06 79 91 37 64
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• Witnessing the trafficking

ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stop #13). By reservation only: possibility to watch the milking around 5/6 pm until the end of May, then from June around 10/11 am until the end of the milking season. +33 5 59 29 12 83
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AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stop #24). You can watch the milking from December to June around 6 pm. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stop #31). Free admission, no appointment necessary (5:30 pm). 06 32 34 26 99
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ELURTI FARM in Ascarat (stop #41). Evening milking available from March 1st to June 30th (6 pm). 06 76 23 97 09
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ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Béhorléguy (stop no. 54). Evening milking, by appointment until the end of June (5:30 pm). 07 60 40 56 14 - 07 60 40 56 14
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IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stop #59). During milking season at 6 pm as part of the farm tour organized for groups. +33 6 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stop no. 63). Around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (December to June) 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stop no. 64). You can watch the milking from December 1st to August 10th, starting at 6 pm. 05 59 37 68 12 - 05 59 37 68 12
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stop no. 72). By appointment only. 06 72 36 91 91
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ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stop #76). At 6:00 PM 06 89 31 32 87
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FERME ITZALEA in Lohitzun-Oyhercq (stage no. 78). 06 24 05 22 00
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Witness the manufacturing process

ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stop #13). Opportunity to watch/participate in the production process (fee applies). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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IRATI ECOLOGICAL CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (stop no. 55). Self-guided and audio-guided tours available via the visitor gallery. Best visited in the morning. 09 71 16 06 18
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IRULEIA FARM in Bustince-Iriberry (stop #59). From January to the end of June at 8:00 AM by reservation. 06 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 63). All stages of production. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stop no. 72). By appointment only. 06 72 36 91 91
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ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stop no. 76). On request, for small groups (3 to 4 people max) 06 89 31 32 87
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OYHANBURIA FARM in Pagolle (stop #81). You can watch the production process by appointment. 06 18 21 40 06
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• Watching the shearing

AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stop #24). Sheep shearing on April 7th and May 5th from 3 pm. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stop #63). Watch the shearing and help collect the wool. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stop no. 72). By appointment only. 06 72 36 91 91
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• See the dog's work

ARTZAINAK FARM in La Bastide Clairence (stop #13). During school holidays: you can watch the dog at work (additional charge). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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• Visiting an eco-museum

AGOUR CHEESE FACTORY in Hélette (stop no. 23). In July/August, every hour from 9 am to 11 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm, and the rest of the year at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm: free visit to the Basque Museum of Pastoralism and Cheese. +33 5 59 37 63 86
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ETXOLA in Lecumberry (stop no. 56). Etxola: open every day from June to October, come and discover the pastoralism discovery area at Etxola, on the Iraty plateau: reconstruction of a real kaiolar (shepherd's hut), information panels, videos, a real cheese-aging cellar! (children's area) 09 88 19 12 37
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• Visit a cheese factory

BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stop #39). Presentation of our cheeses with tasting, from April to the end of October. 06 07 50 05 48
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ARRADOY CHEESES - THE SHEPHERDS OF ST-MICHEL in St-Michel (stop no. 47). Cheese factory tours available by appointment. 05 59 37 23 13
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ISTARA - PYRÉNÉFROM cheese factory in Larceveau (stop #69). Information panels/educational area on the production of Ossau-Iraty cheese and a film about the process are available. 05 59 37 96 79
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FERME ITZALEA in Lohitzun-Oyhercq (stage no. 78). 06 24 05 22 00
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AZKORRIA COOPERATIVE in Musculdy (stop no. 83). Guided tour of the visitor corridor for groups of at least 10 people. By appointment. +33 5 59 28 17 16
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HOBIAGUE FARM in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage no. 89). 05 59 28 03 88 - 05 59 28 03 88
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• Discovering life in the summer pastures

ETXOLA in Lecumberry (stage 56). In July and August, activities are offered: morning discussions with a shepherd (free), discovery of summer cheese with tasting (€15/person, free for children under 15), and nature walks (free). Some activities require registration, places are limited, contact us for the full program and schedule. Find all the activities on Iraty and more information on the website: https://chalets-iraty.com/. 09 88 19 12 37
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BEIRA FARM in Mendive (stop no. 57). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stop no. 72). By appointment only. 06 72 36 91 91
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ALGAR ETXEKI FARM in Ordiarp (stage no. 84). If you would like to spend some time with us in the summer pastures, please feel free to contact us by phone. 07 87 62 77 90 - 07 87 62 77 90
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• Other activities

Ossau-Iraty PDO Interpretation Centre in Espelette (stop no. 7). Self-guided tour of the interpretation centre, video on the lives of Ossau-Iraty PDO shepherds and cheesemakers, and tasting. Cheese for sale by a farm or dairy cheesemaker. Guided tours by appointment: +33 5 59 55 12 24
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AGERRIA FARM in St-Martin-d'Arbéroue (stop #24). We welcome groups and corporate seminars by reservation, with the option of on-site meals. Educational farm. Motorhome parking and picnic area. +33 5 59 29 45 39
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IRATI ECOLOGICAL CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (stop #55). July/August: Lunch in Irati. Come and enjoy lunch in the heart of an exceptional setting every day with a panoramic view of the valley. We offer cheese and charcuterie platters prepared by Maison Agour, as well as our sheep's milk ice cream. 09 71 16 06 18
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ITZALEA FARM in Lohitzun-Oyhercq (stop #78). Farm discovery meal on August 7th for the festive day! 06 24 05 22 00
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GOHETXEA, FARMERS' SHOP in Trois-Villes (stop #96). A friendly gathering on July 27th from 6 pm. 07 50 57 85 72 - 07 50 57 85 72
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Registration is sometimes required before your visit, and some activities have a fee. Contact details and opening hours can be found on the Ossau-Iraty AOP website or in the Cheese Route guide, which can be downloaded here. The guide is also available at tourist offices in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and at stops along the route.