Freedom Trail in the Vallée d’Aure
Freedom Trail in the Vallée d’Aure – Memory and nature in the heart of the Pyrenees
In the heart of the Pyrenees, the Vallée d’Aure is home to one of the Freedom Trails certified by the Council of Europe. During the Second World War, this path was taken by resistance fighters, Allied airmen and civilians fleeing Nazi occupation to reach Spain through mountain passes. Today, it stands as a place of remembrance and hiking, where history and nature meet.
Vallée d’Aure, a passage to freedom
In the 1940s, many escapees crossed the Vallée d’Aure to reach Spain. This perilous route through forests and steep passes was a path of hope in the face of oppression. Today, interpretive panels recount the stories of those who risked their lives to regain freedom. Walking along this trail is to follow in their footsteps and honour their courage
An experience of memory and nature
This hiking trail, suitable for walkers with an interest in history, combines natural heritage and historical testimony. Signage along the route explains the context and brings to life the stories of the Resistance. Beyond remembrance, it is also a pure nature experience, surrounded by Pyrenean peaks, streams and valleys – a form of “tourism of vigilance”: travelling with awareness, in respect of the land and its history.
