Bigorre

Bigorre is a historical region of France located in the western Pyrenees. It corresponds roughly to the modern-day department of the Hautes-Pyrénées. The name "Bigorre" likely derives from the ancient Celtic people known as the Bigerriones, who inhabited the area in Roman times. For centuries, Bigorre was a county, often with strong ties to neighboring Gascony and Aquitaine. Its strategic location made it a contested territory, changing hands between various rulers and powers throughout the Middle Ages.

The county of Bigorre eventually fell under the dominion of the Counts of Foix. Later, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Navarre and then, through marriage, into the possessions of the French crown. The region is renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, including the famous Pic du Midi de Bigorre, and its numerous thermal spas, such as those found in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Luz-Saint-Sauveur. These spas have attracted visitors seeking their therapeutic properties for centuries.

Economically, Bigorre has traditionally relied on agriculture, particularly sheep farming, and the exploitation of its natural resources. Tourism has become increasingly important, drawing visitors for hiking, skiing in resorts like La Mongie, and experiencing the natural beauty of the Pyrenees National Park. The regional capital of the historical Bigorre was Tarbes, which remains the prefecture of the Hautes-Pyrénées department today.