Tarbes_map_3ACE

The Pic du Midi reaches an altitude of 2,877 meters. It is known for its famous astronomical observatory, its TV relay station and its star museum. You can access the Peak on foot by hiking trails, or by cable car from the Mongie ski resort. This mountain range is a great advantage for the inhabitants of Tarbes because it offers them a spectacular view. In winter, you can ski 'til you drop'!! For a long time I used to believe that the Peak was the highest peak in the Pyrenees. But it isn't! However it is an iconic landmark in our landscape. Florian C. and Joris S. (3éme C)

The airport is located in Ossun at the foot of the Pyrenees between Tarbes and Lourdes. It serves the business activity areas of Tarbes and Lourdes. Thomas G. and Hugo G. (3ème A)

The Meridien,IBOS The Meridien is a great gathering place in our city : it attracts a lot of people of all ages who go shopping, go to the cinema or to the restaurant . When we were little girls, we used to go a lot to the Parvis with our parents and our school to attend different shows and exhibitions. We don't go there so often anymore but it is still a place we like. There you can watch all sorts of performances, discover contemporary art, watch films, listen to classical music and attend plays The Méridien used to be a place where you did your groceries . Now it' s a place where you can do groceries, go shopping, go to the restaurant and even go to the theater. Célia R., Eléna M. and Marie-Amélie B. (3ème A)

The stud farm of Tarbes The stud farm of Tarbes was created in 1806 by Napoleon. It was the first war stud farm in France. It had 156 stallions which represented from 30% to 40% of French war horses. Next, the stud farm specialized itself in stallion reproduction and breeding. The Anglo-Arab horse breed was born here. Different carts and carriages were also made here. The buildings were built in marble. Now, the stud farm is bigger than it used to be. Its park covers 9 hectars and is planted with a lot of different trees which come from all over the world. The ring, which was built by Eiffel's team, has become a museum. This stud farm belongs to the city of Tarbes but it is rented by the army. It doesn't belong to the IFCE (French institute of horses and horse riding) anymore. It's one of the most beautiful French stud farms. Every summer, you can admire the biggest and most extraordinary equine show in Europe in the Tarbes stud farm : Equestria. Coline D. and Emma B. (3ème A)

The statue of Marshal Ferdinand Foch was built in honor of Mashal Foch, who was one of the most famous French military heroes during the First World War. The statue was cast in bronze by Firmin MicheletNext to the statue, there is a military base, which houses the 35th Parachute Artillery Unit and the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment. It was created in 1873 in Brittany. The Regiment took part in the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of the Somme during WWI from 1914 to 1918.. Now they take part in a lot of conflicts around the world such as the war in Afghanistan. We call them hussars because they used to ride horses. Now, of course, they don’t ride horses anymore but they have kept the name « hussars ». Lilian G., Arthur V. and Romain T. (3ème A) Sylvain L. and Thomas G. (3ème E)

The Camin'Adour Emeline B. and Juliette M. (3 eme A) Lilou D. and Zoé V. (3ème E)

Liloye B and Mélodie T (3 ème A)

The Carmel The Carmel of Tarbes was founded on March 18th, 1870 by cloistered nuns who organized their lives inside their convent . They worked inside the convent to satisfy the community’s needs. The Carmel was named after the Carmelites who were nuns. Today the Carmel has become a cultural center which keeps archives about of the nuns’ life. It is coming back to life thanks to the different painting exhibitions which are held in the former chapel of the former monastery(carmel) . The Carmel is beautiful, it is one of the biggest and the best- known museums in the area. Emma P. et Clarisse L. (3ème A)

The Town Hall This is the town hall which is in the city center and which is a place where the elected mayor and the city council work. You can go there for different reasons. This is where weddings are celebrated, but you can go there for other administrative reasons too. It was inaugurated on May 27th, 1906. It was renovated between 2006 and 2007. It is more modern than the old town hall. The shopping streets nearby are busy streets, especially on Saturdays. The shopping streets are both touristic and commercial streets. Lou L. et Léa R. (3èmeA)

The Massey garden is a big park open to the public. It was named after Placide Massey who was a French botanist who was born in Tarbes. First, the Massey Garden belonged to Mr Massey, who created it in 1829. Then when he died in 1853, it wasn’t finished and he gave his garden to the city of Tarbes. So that’s why now the Massey garden isn’t a private garden anymore. In 1880 Tarbes decided to renovate the park. 　 There is a museum which used to be Placide Massey’s house. In this garden there are also an orangery, a refreshment stand, a playground for children and a pen for animals where you can see peacocks, goats, ducks, fish and donkeys. We can walk, run , go on picnics, have a drink and hang out with friends, do yoga and relax on the grass. The Massey garden is one of the most beautiful and calmest places in Tarbes. 　 Eléa C and Alexane G (3ème A) Léa M., Marie T. and Mélissa D.C. (3ème C)

The Skatepark Romain B. Alexis L. Bachirou I. (3ème A)

The Arsenal was created in 1870 by Jean-Baptiste Auguste Verchère de Reffye as a weapon factory. Then, it was renamed ATS and later it was recalled GIAT Industries. It is located in Upper Tarbes. The factories where weapons were made closed several years ago. The city of Tarbes decided to renovate the neighborhood and to turn the derelict industrial site into a cinema, restaurants, and a bowling alley. Then, a hotel, a pharmacy and several stores opened. Today it is one of the best-known neighborhood in Tarbes. Today it attracts a lot of people. Guilian G. and Nathan V. ( 3ème C )

The Paul Valéry Secondary School is a public school which is located in Séméac in the Théophile Gautier Street . It opened in 1970 and it was named after Paul Valéry who was a famous French poet and writer. We have been studying here for 4 years so for us, it is the best secondary school in Tarbes ! There are almost 600 pupils studying here . In the school, there are a large cafeteria and a big playground with two basketball courts . There are also a soccer field, a small race track and just beside the school there is the school gym . Some years ago , our school received a national prize for its flowers and plants planted by pupils in the gardening club supervised by a biology teacher . This is our last year in this school. Next year we won’t study here anymore. We share a lot of memories with both our friends and teachers . Anissa D. and Salma S. (3ème C) Nor B. and Anaïs M. (3ème E)

Marshal Foch's native home Julien O. (3ème E)

Manon D. and Mélissa D. (3èC)

Romain SM. and Hugo V. (3ème C)

 The Fountain of the Four Valleys This Monument is a fountain, called the Fountain of the Four Valleys. It represents the valleys of Aure, Bagnéres, Argeles and the plain of Tarbes. It was inaugurated on November 21,1897, on the Marcadieu Square. It was completely renovated in 2007. At the top we can see the Aurora symbolized by a woman. Just under it, we can see 3 emblematic animals of the Pyrenees : a bear, a wolf and an eagle. At the bottom, there are four sculptures representing the 4 valleys. Assia A. and Kathelynn L. (3è C)

Monument de la déportation et des martyrs The monument is called "monument de la déportation et des martyrs". It weighs 24 tons and covers 200 sq. m. The great monument was designed by sculptor Jean Charles Lallement. He was a French sculptor ( 1914-1970 ) also known as "Bachus" who received the " Rome Great Prize". This monument is a fountain surrounded by a basin filled with water. It is a comtemporary sculpture made of white concrete. In the top right-hand corner, there is a metal sun. Underneath, we can read " neither hate nor forget ". On the right, there is an inscription that tells that under this slab there is an urn containing soil from several extermination camps. First, the huge frieze represents the horrors of the Second World war more especially the tortures suffered by the deportees in the Nazi concentration camps. Then, the statue which is between the two columns under the frieze shows a man crushed by war crimes. But the sun lights up the frieze. Finally, violence and barbarism are the most important themes depicted by this sculpture but hope is also symbolized by the sun. Jean Charles Lallement's work was based on the reality of war. I think this sculpture is spectacular and I feel strong emotions like sadness and revolt when I look at it. In my opinion, Jean Charles Lallement who was known for his monumental war memorials was very talented because his sculptures are impressive monuments. That sculpture is the biggest war memorial in Tarbes but people no longer put flowers in front of this memorial except on Armistice Days. Camille M. and Camille G. (3ème A)