MAISON DE LA VALLÉE

The Maison de la Vallée is a museum and interpretation center, in short, a place to discover and raise awareness of our natural heritage. The association offers guided tours on the theme of botany. Walks are organized to discover the Eyne Valley Floristic Nature Reserve, nicknamed "the valley of 1,000 flowers". In spring, it is adorned with narcissus, forget-me-nots, ranunculus and gentian. In summer, rhododendrons and lilies. This flora is made up of rare species, some of them endemic, whose range of development is restricted to the valley itself. These various species have been studied for almost three centuries, and today serve as references for botanists the world over. This is where thyme, gentian, oregano and other medicinal plants used by the famous apothecaries of the Spanish enclave of Llivia originated. An afternoon in the Eyne Valley is an enchanting experience, where you can learn to recognize the different species, smell them, touch them, and sometimes even taste them. The Maison de la Vallée also organizes archeological walks "in the footsteps of the first shepherds", which take you through the mountains to dolmens, menhirs and a cave with pottery remains, bearing witness to the occupation of the area almost 6,000 years ago. From Eyne, a whole network of hiking trails awaits you to discover the Eyne valley, the surrounding area and beyond, to the border passes with Spain.