Andoins from Soumoulou, the balcony of the Pyrenees

The start and finish are in the centre of the village of Soumoulou. It is convenient to park there, as there is plenty of space.

(S/E) From the main square, cross the departmental road at the roundabout and head towards Limendous via the RD39. Take Rue du Bois Joli, continue straight ahead and leave the village. Pass the sign indicating the entrance to Limendous, continue and pass under the motorway. Leave Rue du Pied du Bois on your left and continue for about 50 metres.

(1) First turn right then left and follow Chemin de la Côte Vieille, which is a cul-de-sac. At the end of the road, take Rue du Bois Joli (RD39) and continue straight ahead to enter the village of Limendous. Stay on the RD39, which turns left as it enters the village.

(2) Enjoy the small square on your right with its church, town hall and school. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on the RD39 and enjoy the Pyrenees on your left and the plains on your right.

(3) Look for the Chemin de Loustalet on your left on the way back, and continue straight ahead.

(4) Leave the path on your left, which marks the end of the Andoins circular, and continue straight ahead on the RD39.

(5) Leave the departmental road, which turns left, and continue straight ahead on Route de Limendous. Reach the crossroads at Bordenave.

(6) Take Rue Marquedehore on the left. Enter the local PR® footpaths.

(7) After passing a few houses in Bordenave, take a track on the right, following the PR® signs. Look out for the church of Andoins in the distance on your left. Join a street on a bend.

(8) Take Rue de la Ringaou on the left and continue to the village centre, where you will find the town hall, Saint-Laurent Church and its adjoining cemetery.

(9) Take Rue Corisande (RD39) on the left. Walk past the facilities on your right: school, sports ground, gymnasium. You can take a break on one of the many benches available.

(10) At the village exit, take the RD215 on the right, following the PR® signs towards Artigueloutan. Admire the Pyrenees and immediately turn right onto the street that goes downhill, to the right of the blue and white sign, Chemin de Coustet. Go downhill, then at the bottom, follow the road to the left, rejoin the RD215 and cross it carefully to enter Rue Bellevue.

(11) At the end of the street, continue along the path and go to the end.

(12) At the end of the path, continue straight on Rue des Chasseurs. Walk past Laulhé farm, then go back up to the RD39 at the fork you passed on the way there.

(4) Take the RD39 on the right, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, towards Limendous and arrive at a fork in the road, which you also passed on the outward journey.

(3) Turn right onto Chemin de Loustalet and descend through the forest. At the edge of the forest, leave Rue du Pied du Bois on your left and continue straight ahead. Pass a farm on your right, then the bridge over the motorway and enter Nousty on Chemin de Limendous. Continue along the road until you reach the RD817.

(13) Turn left and, as soon as possible, cross over to find yourself in front of the first shops. Although the speed limit is low, remain vigilant. Continue, pass the toll booth, then the carpool area. Pass the ALDI store roundabout, then enter Soumoulou and continue straight ahead to reach the central square (S/E).

From Soumoulou, you will pass through two pretty Béarn villages, Limendous and Andoins, before skirting Nousty on your return. Halfway along the route, the village centre of Andoins, with its tables and benches, is the ideal place for a peaceful picnic break. There are no major difficulties to report, except for a little caution on the RD39 for a pleasant and stress-free hike.

Along the way, you will enjoy a striking contrast between the vast plains of Béarn to the north and the majestic Pyrenees mountain range to the south. The centre of Andoins, with its church, cemetery and welcoming facilities, is well worth a stop for a picnic in an authentic and peaceful setting.