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High in the Pyrennees in the Val d'Azun the village of Arrens Marsous (65 Hautes-Pyrénées, Midi-Pyrénées) marks the return of the herds of sheep (and the shepherds) from the high pasture down into the less exposed valley in the Autumn. The "Foire aux Côtelettes" takes place on Saturday 16 September 2006 and includes a party with barbecued lamb chops, cheese tasting, music, cattle market, sheep shearing and the inevitable market. The festivities finish late at night with the sounds of a banda and dancing.
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For more info see www.valdazun.fr
Generally too high for vines, the area does however produce good Pyrenean cheeses - often sheeps milk cheeses which are semi-hard and a little lighter on the palate - such as Ossau Fermier and Brébis Pyrénées. The nearest wines are those from Irouleguy and Madiran which are big meaty reds; dry aromatic whites from Jurancon, and sweet wines from Jurancon and Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh.