Little Hands, Great Mysteries & Gentle Shivers

From 18 October to 1 November 2026, Eugénie and the surrounding countryside take the autumn holidays very seriously. Well, almost. There is clay to shape, stone to engrave, royal horses to track down and a few rather less well-behaved creatures to find. Most activities, especially the workshops, are held in French. But hands have always had a language of their own. Our pick of ways to keep little hands, legs and minds happily occupied.

Not scared a bit! Halloween happenings

Potions & creatures in Saint-Sever

The museum has acquired a few mysteries of its own. First, concoct a potion. Then set off in search of the creatures hiding within. Fancy dress is warmly encouraged. Well-groomed monsters are welcome too.

Friday 30 October at 11am · Musée d’art et d’histoire du Cap de Gascogne, Saint-Sever · Ages 6+ · €7, with one accompanying adult free per family · Booking essential.
Discover the monstrous visit

Shivers in the Hagetmau crypt

Beneath the former Abbey of Saint-Girons, a magic potion, mysterious creatures and just enough gentle fright make for a family visit with a deliciously eerie air.

Friday 23 October at 11am · Crypte Saint-Girons, Hagetmau · Age not specified · €5, €4 for ages 10–18, free under 10 · Advance booking and payment on +33 (0)5 58 76 34 64.
See the programme

Little hands at work

Building blocks in Montfort

Earth, water and a little know-how. Each family makes its own raw-earth brick, then puts it to the test inside the museum house. Whose will prove the sturdiest?

Tuesdays 20 & 27 October, 10.30am–12 noon · Musée de la Chalosse, Montfort-en-Chalosse · Ages 3+ · €5 per adult and per child · Maximum six people per family.

Hands in the dough

After exploring the sharecroppers’ house, children roll up their sleeves and make their own bread, leaving with a little loaf still warm from the oven. Hard to get fresher than that.

Wednesdays 21 & 28 October, 10.30am–12 noon · Musée de la Chalosse, Montfort-en-Chalosse · Ages 6+, without parents · €2 supplement to museum admission.

Marbles, anyone?

Children make their own clay marbles before discovering the traditional game of canicas. A morning that comes nicely full circle.

Thursdays 22 & 29 October, 10.30am–12 noon · Musée de la Chalosse, Montfort-en-Chalosse · Ages 6+, without parents · €2 supplement to museum admission.

For all three workshops: booking essential on +33 (0)5 58 98 69 27, no later than the day before.
See the Montfort programme

A prehistoric jewel

At Brassempouy, a piece of soft stone is polished, pierced with a flint tool and turned into a necklace to take home. Thirty minutes, and quite a bit of character.

Tuesdays 20 & 27 and Thursdays 22 & 29 October, continuously from 2.30–5.30pm · PréhistoSite de Brassempouy · Ages 5+, with an adult · Workshop included with admission · No booking required, subject to availability.
Discover the jewellery workshop

Set in stone

A slate tablet, a shard of flint and a steady hand. Everyone has a go at prehistoric engraving and leaves with an artwork of their own.

Wednesdays 21 & 28 and Fridays 23 & 30 October, continuously from 2.30–5.30pm · PréhistoSite de Brassempouy · Ages 5+, with an adult · 30-minute workshop included with admission · Tickets: €11 adults, €9.50 ages 5–15, free up to age 4, family ticket €36.
Discover the engraving workshop

Hands in the mud

At the Musée du Paysan Gascon, children and grown-ups mix earth and straw before applying it to a wooden frame. Just messy enough, and wonderfully hands-on.

Wednesdays 21 & 28 October, continuously from 3–6pm · Musée du Paysan Gascon, Toujouse · Ages 4+ · Around 1 hour · No booking required · €8 adults, €5 ages 4–17, museum admission included.
See the cob-making workshop

The pleasure of making, at any age

Faience, by your own hand

Under the guidance of Marielle Meynard, adults make and decorate a piece of faience using 18th-century techniques. Once fired, it is theirs to collect and keep.

Sunday 18 October, 2.30–5.30pm · Musée départemental de la Faïence et des Arts de la table, Samadet · Adults · €10 · Booking on +33 (0)5 58 79 13 00.
See the Samadet workshop

A handbag, strand by strand

A day spent learning to weave raw willow into a handbag, finished with a leather handle. Materials are provided. Patience is yours to bring.

Sunday 18 October, 9.30am–5pm · Musée du Paysan Gascon, Toujouse · Ages 15+ · €90 · Book before 11 October on +33 (0)5 62 09 18 11.
See the basketry workshop

Halloween strikes while the iron is hot

After a morning getting acquainted with fire, metal and the essential gestures of the forge, participants make their own hairpin. Safety shoes, glasses, hearing protection and suitable workwear are required.

Saturday 31 October, 9.30am–12.30pm & 2–5pm · Musée du Paysan Gascon, Toujouse · Ages 18+ · €75, museum admission included · Book before 25 October.
See the blacksmithing workshop

Riddles, hiding places & secret doors

The Vandals can wait

Saint-Sever is under threat, but two lovers simply must meet before the Vandals arrive. The team has one hour to unravel a life-size escape game hidden throughout the museum.

Wednesday 21 October at 10am · Musée d’art et d’histoire du Cap de Gascogne, Saint-Sever · Ages 8+ · Maximum six players · €6 per person · Booking essential.
See “Le dernier rendez-vous”

Witches on the Adour: the hunt begins after dark

Phone in hand, follow the riddles and QR codes to track down Ze Night, the Poï’z hiding somewhere along this three-kilometre nocturnal trail. A free treasure hunt best played once darkness falls. Torch highly recommended.

Every day during the holidays · Aire-sur-l’Adour · Self-guided family trail · Free Tèrra Aventura app · Around 3 km · Dogs welcome.
See “Sorcières sur l’Adour”

At Henri IV’s Château, horses lead the way

Henri IV was born at the Château de Pau in 1553, long before he became one of France’s most beloved kings. His birthplace still watches over the Pyrenees, its rooms filled with memories of the man who would unite a divided kingdom. During the autumn holidays, younger visitors meet him through another thread of royal life: horses.

Where has Henri IV’s horse gone?

The King’s horse has vanished. Young visitors make their way through the château, observing, counting, miming and sidestepping a few traps with the help of oversized clue cards.

19–23 & 26–30 October, 11am–12 noon · Château de Pau · Ages 3–6 · €4 per child and €4 for one accompanying adult; additional adult €12 · Online booking.
See “Mon cheval a disparu”

His Majesty, the horse

War horse, hunting companion or splendid parade mount: the royal horse reveals its many roles through challenges and secrets tucked away among the collections.

19–23 & 26–30 October, 2.30–3.30pm · Château de Pau · Ages 7–10 · €4 per child and €4 for one accompanying adult; additional adult €12 · Online booking.
See “Sa Majesté le cheval”