looking for a last minute local gift with 40 euros in your pocket

1 A gourmet box from Laguilhon

The pretty Laguilhon boutique located opposite the market offers several alternatives which rarely exceed 40 euros. But if the entire budget had to be spent on it, why not fall for one of these copiously stocked Christmas boxes. This round box with four pâtés, a foie gras, a chutney and a bottle of Jurançon (38 euros) or the best-selling basket with two bottles (a dry white, a red), four pâtés and a foie gras (37, 90 euros).

2 Beautiful books at Tonnet

The historic bookstore on Place Marguerite-Laborde is always full. If you manage to sneak upstairs, don't hesitate to opt for the beautiful book “Pau” by photographer David Le Deodic and author Frédérique Hardy (Cairn, 30 euros). “We are going to restock it, it is in high demand,” assures Fabien, one of the booksellers. The photos are magnificent, it is one of the best-selling beautiful books on Pau and the region. » Alongside it, the latest delivery from Éditions Sud Ouest offers a magnificent “Lovers’ Jumble” (35 euros) which includes the Jurançon hillsides and the Pyrenees among other regional wonders. The lemon yellow cover where Landes pines appear is absolutely sensational. Pines under the tree, not bad, right? And that’s a change from the great classics of this Christmas: Goncourt 2024 (“Houris”, by Kamel Daoud), “Bien-être” by Nathan Hill or the latest cookbook by François-Régis Gaudry.

3 A beautiful bottle and a foie gras at the Cave de Régusse

The wine merchant located in the middle of rue Guichenné is associated with a castle located in the Aples de Haute Provence. But that doesn't stop it from offering local products. These small boxes which include a bottle of your choice, Saint-Mont type, and a 180 gram foie gras from the Alban Laban farm in Sedze-Maubecq (38 euros per box). The wine merchant Céline Hourcade can also offer you a suitcase of three bottles of Château Régusse (30 to 40 euros), beer boxes or a fine Armagnac. But we said local…

4 A beret made here at Gantelet du Roy

She is not the only one to sell these headwear but the Le Gantelet du Roy boutique has been doing it since 1946 so let's give her the privilege of experience. Even if it means sacrificing 4 euros extra from our budget in order to treat ourselves to a “Héritage” beret from Laulhère, the factory still located in Oloron. “We also offer models of the French Beret, which began in Laàs and whose factory is now located in Bayonne,” explains Sylvie Gibergues. These models bring fancy colors and patterns and can be exchanged for 29 euros.

5 A children’s or local book at l’Escampette

The small bookstore on rue des Cordeliers offers most of the aforementioned beautiful books. And a little Pyrenean corner itself equipped with a youth sub-category. This is where we find “L’Abécédaire des Pyrénées” (Privat, €16.90), “Bé, la Sheep who encountered…” (Milathea, €12.90) or even “Pierrou de Gavarnie” (Cairn , 6€). Bookseller Aline Audran will be able to recommend local authors such as René Arripe and his “Persanes d'Ossau” (€20) or Jean Vignau and “Le Silence de l'hirondelle” (Gypaète, €16.90).

In another genre, “Wild, precisely illustrated with a return to nature” by Orthézienne Alice Fauconnier (€26). The beautiful books “Notre Caddetou” (€29.50) and the “New History of Béarn” (€49) are not to be outdone.

6 A Jean-Pierre for cushion at Créatures

Corinne Lannette's original cushions can be found in the Créatures boutique, rue des Cordeliers. “I raise monsters, Yetis of the Pyrenees,” laughs the designer as she grabs her centerpiece, a stuffed Pic d’Ossau on which is affixed a heart of clouds (39 euros). Normal, his small business is called Korazon. “This is the ideal gift for all young expatriates who are studying far away. » In the same store, this small leather purse which takes on the features of a miniature beret. A creation by Rose du cap à Borce (15 euros).

7 Wool from the Pyrenees at Maison Izard

Socks cut by hand without sewing but made entirely of Pyrenees wool (25 euros). Very soft hats (40 euros). The people of Pau know that the paradise for wool clothing is called Maison Izard, also on rue des Cordeliers. The wool comes from the Aure valley. In this price range, the small boutique also offers superb posters signed by the Bigourdan illustrator Benmaj. Gavarnie, Arbizon but also Pic d'Ossau are offered at prices between 25 and 35 euros. As well as a card game called “We don’t speak to belote” which uses the Pyrenean bestiary (27 euros).