OSSAU-IRATY PDO Cheese Route Artisans, Craftsmen (Visits and Workshops) in Ostabat-Asme

GOURMET STOPS

DISCOVER THE OSSAU-IRATY AOP CHEESE ROUTE

Do you like cheese ? We take you to discover the land of sheep on the AOP Ossau-Iraty cheese route. Embark on a gourmet road trip that will take you to meet those who make this typical Basque cheese.

Discovering a local product
This gourmet escapade through the Basque Country will allow you to discover the typical characteristics of Ossau-Iraty AOP Basque: an often drier paste and a distinct taste. It will also be an opportunity for you to discover the ancestral know-how hidden behind this production. You can choose your stops to meet a producer, visit a cheese factory or a cellar, go to a store or meet shepherds and their pastoral traditions.

Ossau-Iraty: a traditional cheese
Ossau-Iraty AOP is a sheep's milk cheese inherited from millennia-old pastoral traditions. Its producers have come together under the AOP sign, Protected Designation of Origin. This is a sign of quality which supervises production, certifies a manufacturing process, and assures you that sheep, breeders, producers, cheese factories and refiners are all located in a well-defined area of which we invite you to discover the Basque part.

An original visit to the Basque Country for lovers of the region
From Labourd to Basse Navarre via Soule with the famous Pic d'Orhy , create the trip that suits you to meet the AOP Ossau-Iraty in the exceptional setting of the Basque Country . Don't hesitate any longer and come visit the land of sheep and its gourmet stops on this cheese route which will enrich your visits to the territory by adding a gourmet touch .

Indeed, whether you are close to the coast like in Urrugne, Ascain or Saint Pée, visiting Espelette or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, or even in the heart of the Basque mountains or at the top of the Pyrenees passes, there are definitely one or two stages less than fifteen minutes away!

Focus on the activities of the AOP Ossau-Iraty Cheese Route 2024 in the Basque Country

Farm visit

FERME JORAJURIA in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (stage no. 3). Visit to the farm by reservation. 06 38 56 51 62
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ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (step no. 8). Free tasting of different cheeses. From spring, you can approach the sheep that graze nearby. Possibility of taking a self-guided tour of the farm during the shop's opening hours... (come with your shoes!). 06 45 56 26 39
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FERME ARTZAINAK in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). During school holidays: visits to the farm, for groups of around ten people (duration 15 to 30 min). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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ONETIK CHEESE PRODUCTION in Macaye (step no. 19). Farm visit and tasting. Every Thursday in July and August. Meet at the Onerik cheese factory at 10 a.m. Free upon reservation at 05 59 70 27 27 or onetik@onetik.com. Without reservation, €2 on site (Free for under 18s). Duration of the farm visit: 2 hours. On return from the visit, tasting offered at the shop. 05 59 70 27 27
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FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d’Arbéroue (stage no. 20). Every day except Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., visit to the farm with sheep breeding, cheese processing and outdoor Basque pig breeding. Guided tour and product tasting are free. By appointment from 11/15 to 03/15 and without appointment from 03/16 to 11/14. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stage no. 27). Visit to the farm on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in summer, the rest of the year by reservation. Free access to the sheepfold, pig hut… 06 32 34 26 99
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BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stage no. 36). Presentation of our farm, explanations of our way of life on the farm, presentation of our cheeses with tasting, from April to the end of October 06 07 50 05 48 - 06 07 50 05 48
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AMETZALDE FARM in Lasse (stage no. 37). Free visit from July 1 to September 30, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 3 p.m., by reservation (duration 2.5 hours). History of the farm, presentation of the buildings and meadows, explanation of the work of the elders and comparison with our current way of working, meeting with the animals, explanations of cheese making (from the milking parlor to the salting room), visit salt room and friendly tasting. 06 32 94 19 97 - 06 32 94 19 97
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FERME ARGAIA in Arnéguy (stage no. 41). Farm visits by reservation. 05 59 37 06 65 - 05 59 37 06 65
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XALTROINIA FARM in Arnéguy (stage no. 42). Farm visits by reservation. 06 71 29 11 18 - 06 71 29 11 18
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ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage no. 52). By appointment 07 60 40 56 14 - 07 60 40 56 14
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FERME BEIRA in Mendive (stage no. 55). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
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FARM IRULEIA in Bustince-Iriberry (stage no. 57). Visits: Dominique and Guy-Michel organize group visits, free upon reservation. They hope to give you a special moment by returning to the essentials: nature, animals, human relationships. They offer you the discovery of the farming profession, a sharing of their knowledge, their know-how and their environment. All visits are by reservation only. Average duration 1h15. Two options: 1. All year round, groups and buses with tastings are welcome. Explanations on the management of herds of local breeds, production of farm products (visit sheepfold, production room, maturing cellar, open-air pig pens, etc.) 2. In the summer season (from 01/07 to 24/08), Thursday at 5 p.m., open to families. - Discovery of farm animals - Driving the flock of sheep to the sheepfold in our company - Visit to the cheese cellar - During sheep milking period: participation of children - Visit to Basque pigs in the open air Animation: Participatory workshop cheese making (from January to the end of June). For two adults. By reservation. Duration 2h30. 15 €/person. 06 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). Farm visits by reservation. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stage no. 62). Visit to the farm by appointment. 05 59 37 68 12 - 05 59 37 68 12
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OIHANARTIA ETXALDEA FARM in Ibarrolle (stage no. 69). By appointment 05 59 37 82 10 - 05 59 37 82 10
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). Free visit on site or accompanied by appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage no. 74). Visit to the farm by appointment. 06 89 31 32 87
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FERME HOBIAGUE in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage no. 86). 05 59 28 03 88 - 05 59 28 03 88
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FERME AGIA in Tardets (stage no. 91). Visit to the farm by appointment. 06 79 91 37 64
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Attend the milking

FERME ARTZAINAK in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). By reservation only: possibility of attending milking around 5 p.m./6 p.m. until the end of May then from June around 10 a.m./11 a.m. until the end of the dairy campaign. 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d’Arbéroue (stage no. 20). Possibility of attending the milking from December to June (meeting at 5 p.m.). 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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TAMBOURIN FAMILY in St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (stage no. 27). Free without appointment (5:30 p.m.). 06 32 34 26 99
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ELURTI FARM in Ascarat (stage no. 38). Possibility of attending the evening milking from February 15 to June 30 (6 p.m.). 06 76 23 97 09
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ETXEPAREBORDA FARM in Behorleguy (stage no. 52). Evening milking, by appointment until the end of June (5:30 p.m.). 07 60 40 56 14 - 07 60 40 56 14
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FARM IRULEIA in Bustince-Iriberry (stage no. 57). During the milking season, Thursdays at 6 p.m. as part of organized visits. 06 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). Around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (from December to June) 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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HAURTTO FARM in Iholdy (stage no. 62). Possibility of attending the milking from December 1 to August 10, from 6 p.m. 05 59 37 68 12 - 05 59 37 68 12
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage no. 74). At 6:00 p.m. 06 89 31 32 87
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Assist in manufacturing
FERME ARTZAINAK in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). Possibility to assist/participate in manufacturing (paid activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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ECOLOGICAL IRATI CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (step no. 53). Free, audio-guided tour via the tour gallery. Preferably in the morning. 09 71 16 06 18
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FARM IRULEIA in Bustince-Iriberry (stage no. 57). From January to the end of June at 8 a.m. by reservation 06 74 00 40 69
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). All stages of manufacturing 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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ANCHILIA FARM in Hosta (stage no. 74). On request, for small groups (3 to 4 people max) 06 89 31 32 87
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OYHANBURIA FARM in Pagolle (stage no. 78). Possibility of witnessing the manufacturing by appointment. 06 18 21 40 06
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JEAN-MICHEL ARMAGNAGUE in Idaux-Mendy (stage no. 83). 3 or 4 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). On appointment. 06 83 17 43 37
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FERME HOBIAGUE in Arrast-Larrebieu (stage no. 86). 05 59 28 03 88 - 05 59 28 03 88
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Assist with mowing
ANTXONDOA FARM in Itxassou (step no. 8). Mowing takes place the last week of April (variable depending on the weather). 06 45 56 26 39
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FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d’Arbéroue (stage no. 20). Sheep shearing on April 4 and May 6 from 3 p.m. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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LARRANDA FARM in Suhescun (stage no. 61). Watch shearing and help collect wool. 05 59 37 68 81 - 05 59 37 68 81
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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See the dog's work

FERME ARTZAINAK in La Bastide Clairence (stage no. 11). During school holidays: possibility of seeing the dog's work (paid activity). 05 59 29 12 83 - 05 59 29 12 83
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Visit an eco-museum

AGOUR FROMAGERIE in Hélette (step no. 21). In July/August, every hour from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the rest of the year at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.: free visit to the Basque pastoralism and cheese museum. 05 59 37 63 86
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ETXOLA in Lecumberry (step no. 54). L'Etxola: open every day from June to October, come and discover the area for discovering pastoralism at L'Etxola, on the Iraty plateau: reconstruction of a real kaiolar, panels, videos, real refining salting room cheeses ! (children’s area) 09 88 19 12 37
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Visit a cheese factory

BURUBELTX FARM in Urepel (stage no. 36). Presentation of our cheeses with tasting, from April to the end of October 06 07 50 05 48 - 06 07 50 05 48
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FROMAGERIE DES BERGERS DE SAINT-MICHEL in St-Michel (step no. 44). Visit to the cheese factory possible by appointment. 05 59 37 23 13
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ISTARA CHEESE - PYRÉNÉFROM in Larceveau (step no. 67). Presence of explanatory panels / educational area on the manufacturing of Ossau-Iraty and a film on manufacturing. 05 59 37 96 79
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AZKORRIA COOPERATIVE in Musculdy (stage no. 79). Guided access to the visiting corridor for groups of at least 10 people. On appointment. 05 59 28 17 16
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Discover summer life

ETXOLA in Lecumberry (step no. 54). In July/August, every Monday - 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: discussions with a shepherd. Come and meet a shepherd on the Iraty plateau. Find all the activities on Iraty and more information on the site: https://chalets-iraty.com/ 09 88 19 12 37
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FERME BEIRA in Mendive (stage no. 55). By appointment for groups. 06 20 91 97 12
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AOZTEIA FARM in Bunus (stage no. 70). On appointment. 06 72 36 91 91
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ALGAR ETXEKI FARM in Ordiarp (stage no. 80). The shepherd will be happy to show you the life of our sheep in the summer, which is also their vacation time, before starting a cheese production season again. 07 87 99 37 35 - 07 87 99 37 35
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Other entertainment

OSSAU-IRATY AOP INTERPRETATION CENTER in Espelette (step no. 5). Guided tour of the interpretation center, video on the life of shepherds and AOP Ossau-Iraty cheesemakers and tasting. Sale of cheese on an ad hoc basis when a producer is present. 05 59 55 12 24
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FERME AGERRIA in St-Martin-d’Arbéroue (stage no. 20). Reception of groups and business seminars by reservation and possibility of meals on site. Educational farm. Camper van reception and picnic area. 05 59 29 45 39 - 05 59 29 45 39
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ECOLOGICAL IRATI CHEESE FACTORY in Mendive (step no. 53). July/August: Noon at Irati Come and have lunch in the heart of an exceptional panorama every lunchtime with a panoramic view of the valley. We offer you cheese and charcuterie boards made by Agour as well as our sheep's milk ice creams. 09 71 16 06 18
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GOHETXEA, FARM PRODUCERS' STORE in Trois-Villes (stop no. 93). Friendly moment on July 27 from 6 p.m. 07 50 57 85 72 - 07 50 57 85 72
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Registration is sometimes necessary before your visit and some require a fee. Contact details and opening times can be found on the Ossau-Iraty AOP website or on the Cheese Route guide to download here. The guide is also available in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques tourist offices and in the stages.

On Thursday July 25, 2024 , many stages are organizing a festive day . The animations are different from one stage to another. Some examples: aperitif dinner, guided tour followed by lunch, musical entertainment, games for children... and gourmet baskets to win. See the program.